Home » Food and Drink »  Entertainment » Hosting a Party If you don't entertain often, planning a party for 25 or more guests can seem like an impossible and difficult task. But if you plan ahead and stay organised, hosting a large party can be easy and fun! Just follow these steps and you'll be ready to relax when your guests arrive.

Make up your guest list.

Set a date and time for the party.

Decide where to have it, if not at home. Talk to hosts of parties you've attended and call caterers to get ideas.

Establish the theme or style of the event.

Send out invitations.

Create an outline of the party details from beginning to end.

Set your budget. Guess estimate the costs of invitations, decorations, food, drinks, entertainment, activities, party favours, rental items, and staff, if needed.



Create a party file box with an index card to represent each step in the planning process. Shuffle and work the cards as you tackle your To-do list. By party time, each detail should be taken care of and all of the index cards should be filed in the 'done' section.

Consult friends and family for vendor recommendations, then call for bids and make reservations. Think caterers, servers, musicians, rental companies, florists, and decorators. Once you've chosen vendors and agreed on rates, set up appointments to make final decisions on food, decor, timing, and other details. If your party is especially large, enlist the help of a coordinator to oversee the set up and execution of the party.

Shop for décor and favours.

Set a schedule of confirmations and deadlines to keep the plan solid. Call all vendors and helpers the day before the event, to go over the details. Set a precise and to-the-minute time schedule for your party and give a copy to all vendors and helpers.

Relax and enjoy yourself as the fun begins.