With the end of year celebrations on their way, join in on #Host an #Event #Etiquette to ensure you make the most memorable and well organised celebration/occasion

Here are my top tips in ensuring your the perfect host to the perfect event this season.

1. Send a ‘Save the Date’ so people lock the date away and keep it free for your event. This helps you to ensure your clients, friends, colleagues will all be able to come and enjoy the event. There’s nothing worse than you putting in all this time and effort to organise the event, then have no one able to join in.
2. Ideally your invitations should be sent out (depending on the event) up to 8 weeks prior to the date. This gives people enough time to organise themselves. You should also make the reflect your event, (themes, colours etc.) so people know what to expect.
3. Invitations should make mention of dietary requirements and needs, so you can take care of everyone coming and make everyone feel as inclusive as possible, no matter what the event is.
4. Make sure you have your RSVP date listed on the invitation, this way everyone knows they must let you know if they are or aren’t able to join in.
5. If there’s a theme to your event, specifiy it on the invitation so your guests can get ready early. If you do, you can always help your guests and give them options of what to do, where to go to find costume hire or theming ideas.
6. Leading up to your event, send a reminder ‘teaser’ to get people excited, and also helps to remind them of the event.
7. No matter what the event, get a little creative and have some fun, it’s a fun time of year for events, so show your festive spirit.
8. Regardless of if you’re having a theme to your event, make sure your costume/outfit/theme is completely organised well before your event, you’ll have loads to do on the day to worry about it then.
9. On the day, ensure you’re at the venue at least 3 hours before the start time to get yourself organised. It’s surprising how quickly the time goes when you have to do small and large jobs. Depending on the needs, you might need to set up, cook, prepare and/or decorate.
10. You want to make sure you leave enough time for you to get ready for the event, and be ready for any early arrivals. I usually leave a buffer time of 1 hour before start time, to get ready and do any last minute preparations.
11. Think how you will welcome guests: A glass of poured sparking, a cocktail, open the door to the party etc? Your ‘welcome’ really sets the theme to the event. Have some alternatives ready for those who may not like what’s on offer, for example, some people may not drink alcohol.
12. You want the first person to arrive to an atmosphere, so have the music on, the band playing etc
13. Be ready to welcome everyone personally to your occasion. Stand at the door, show people in and where to go. A great host will make everyone welcome, show them where they can drop their coats and start the party.
14. If there are formalities for the event, be sure you know when everything is meant to happen. There’s nothing wrong with writing this all down so you don’t forget, call it a ‘run-sheet’.
15. For festive events, keep your formalities to a minimum, say the relevant “thank you’s” and don’t forget to mention all right people. You might also want to ensure you thank your customers for their support, boss for paying, partner for cooking etc.
16. During your event, you need ‘networking time’ where you make time to speak to everyone there.Many people complain that they never got to speak to you at the party, make sure you spend the time to do this.
17. Keep yourself ‘clean and tidy’, you’re the host afterall, and this means you’re “working”. There’s nothing worse than a messy host/hostess. Your event isn’t the time for you to enjoy.
18. At the end of the event make sure you farewell everyone who came along, personally, and thank them for attending. Now is not the time to lose your manners! Thank you’s go a long way.
19. Send a follow up handwritten “thank you for coming” note. If you took a group photo on the night, send a copy for them. It’s a nice reminder of the night, and something they’ll keep close to them, meaning more potential business next year.