Party People?:  How to Have a Successful Multi-Host Party (Cont.)

previous page
 

Finance:  This person should be good with money, extremely responsible, and realistic.  The person in charge of finance should be sure that the party stays on budget, responsible for making appropriate deposits to venues and/or entertainers, and final payments and tipping during the event.

Vision:  This person, particularly, needs to open to everyone’s suggestions, and able to integrate them into an overall vision for the event.  The vision-maker will determine the theme, tone, and setting for the party.  She will come up with ideas, and integrate the ideas of her fellow hosts into the plan for a memorable, special event.

Logistics:  This person should have good ideas, and the ability to execute them well.  Most importantly, this individual must be detail-oriented.  The logistics person will need to be open to everyone’s suggestions, and able to determine the location, guest list, and practical needs of the party—from serveware to decorations.

Budget and Timing
Two of the biggest challenges when planning a multi host party are budget and timing.  Get these two obstacles out of the way early on in the party-planning process.

Always be fair in terms of budget.  Read that again.  “Always be fair in terms of budget” is much different than “always divide financial responsibilities equally.”  Everyone has different financial abilities.  If you are a lawyer, your sister is a teacher, and your brother is still in graduate school, realize immediately that you’ll each have a different ability to contribute.

Select a budget that will allow everyone to feel they are contributing significantly to the event.  Consider a percentage-based contributions system to share expenses—one based on hosts’ abilities to contribute.    Be sure that everyone feels comfortable with the budget and their assigned contributions before you agree to hold the event.

Timing issues must be addressed in a similar fashion to budget.  Imagine being an integral part of planning a party, and then not being able to attend yourself?

Set a date and time for the event that is acceptable to all hosts.  Remind everyone that the best time to hold an event is one  when work and family stresses will be at a minimum.

That’s How She Does It
Parties are wonderful events, but they can also produce emotional and financial stress.  Luxuriate in the experience of not having to “go-it-alone” when you have partner-planners involved.

Be open, honest, and plan carefully.  Your multi-host party will be tremendously successful, and holds the magical potential to bring family and friends closer together.

That’s how she does it!