David Artsmith  -  There are a lot of pros and cons to throwing a party. From an optimistic perspective, being the host puts you automatically on your own home ground, with all of the advantages that come from such a situation. On the other hand it’s a lot of work. You are going to have a lot of people coming into your space, touching your things, and making a general mess.

However the bottom line is, if your going to bother to throw a party, you want to do it right. The question is, how do you ensure that you are the best host that you can possibly be?

The cornerstone of throwing a successful party is to understand the needs of your guests. Depending on who you invite, people will have vastly different requirements and expectations. You have to know the people who will be attending, and be able to interpret their vision of a successful party, in order to provide the experience they are looking for.

To a large extent throwing a party is about image. You are creating an atmosphere, a festive spirit that settles upon your home and encourages people to relax and enjoy their time there. Without this subtle feeling of celebration a party will suffer from a lack of inspiration.

Creating this subtle spirit is about adding details that cue of celebratory responses in the human mind. For instance, festive lights sparkling in a window or from the ceiling, makes people instantly think of a party, or a special occasion. The same can be true of colors which are brighter, or patterns which are reflective.

You also have to consider the physical temperature of the environment. You have to remember that when a building is filled with humans giving off body heat, its going to be considerably warmer than before the party when its relatively empty. Be sure to have access to windows that you can open if necessary, and fans or even air conditioning if possible. In general air conditioning is problematic as it tends to cool off only one small area, and since you have to close the windows it can often leaving the space feeling stuffy. For this reason you may want to stick to fans that can better circulate the air in the space.

Food and drink is often the centerpiece of a party. Whether it’s a formal dinner engagement, or just a cocktail party with some friends, it is customary to provide a variety of refreshments to entertain the taste buds of your party guests.

Appetizers are pretty standard party fare. In general this will consist of small finger foods, or tiny portions of specialty dishes which are easy to eat while walking around and being mobile. In the case of parties centered around a meal of course the food will be much more elaborate and on stage.

As for drinks, you should be certain to provide a wide range of beverages. people tend to be finicky about liquids, with many people having very specific tastes as to what drinks they like and which ones they will refuse to imbibe. By having a wide assortment on hand you will ensure that everyone is satisfied. Don’t forget to have plenty of drink coasters around to protect your surfaces.

The question of whether or not to use disposable dishes and utensils is one which is hotly debated. On the one hand disposable implements are a lot easier to clean up, and when a party is over you will be thankful for every short cut you can take. However disposable utensils are also not as good for the environment, creating a huge glut of trash. They are also less attractive and stylish. When you compare a cheap plastic Spork to an elegant metal spoon, there is really no contest.

When getting your home ready for a fancy party it is important to consider your guests first. Who are they, what will they expect, how can you make them feel more comfortable? You have to answer all of these questions while preparing for the party.