How to throw a great party: Food, personal touches and ultimate icebreakers

Festive season might be upon us, but the art of hosting a memorable bash is a year-round talent anyone can hone

Depending on the number of guests and vibe you want to set, choose from canapes, a buffet or a sit-down dinner. Getty Images

Food, music, entertainment, guests, venue, theme – the list of requirements if you want to host a talked-about and endlessly hashtagged party might be long but, according to experts, the real skill lies in finding the right mix among the various parameters.

Social media might have upped the ante when it comes to parties, especially if your goal is to have the pictures plastered across your platforms, but apps such as Pinterest offer up millions of inspirational ideas to suit all budgets and party sizes.

We ask four party planning and hosting experts to share their tips for throwing a fabulous bash.

Set it all up

“Planning, personalisation and a curated guest list,” says event planner Victoria Harrison, owner of Flowerwall Dubai of her party must-haves. “Plus, the right catering and drinks, ensuring everyone feels comfortable. And, if possible, space for a dance floor for guests of all ages.”

During festive season, many hosts like to organise gatherings at home, taking advantage of the cooler months by throwing open their doors for garden parties. Parties at home also allow for greater personalisation and tailored experiences.

“A successful party is all about creating an unforgettable experience that feels personal and effortless, yet luxurious,” says Ayman Fakoussa, managing partner at communications and events agency The Qode. “Key components include a well-thought-out theme or concept, exceptional hospitality, a carefully curated guest list, and, of course, the environment.

“The setting should reflect the mood of the event – be it intimate and elegant or lively and extravagant,” adds Fakoussa.

From canapes to buffets

Whether offering up simple nibbles, a buffet or a sit-down meal, party planning experts agree that providing food is a must.

“If you want to be a great host, I’d say it’s absolutely vital and an important part of creating that warm, welcoming atmosphere,” says Ziying Zhou, founder of Berkeley Etiquette. “The type of food you serve depends on the vibe, the space and the size of the group.”

She suggests canapes and nibbles for casual mingling, buffets for larger groups and a sit-down dinner for smaller, more intimate gatherings “where deeper conversations or a formal vibe are key”.

Attentive hosts should check each guest’s dietary requirements beforehand and have options to suit cultural and personal preferences. “Guests will come hungry as they are expecting to be fed yummy food,” says Lorate Hamzeh, founder and managing director of The Big Moo Events. “Live stations tend to be guest favourites, as the smell of freshly made popcorn or candy floss wafting through the air can trigger happiness. It’s important to make sure that plenty of food is available at your event as people eat, drink and enjoy themselves.”

Zhou adds: “At the end of the day, food isn’t just about filling stomachs, it’s about bringing people together and making them feel looked after.”

Helping guests mix and mingle

Throwing a party often involves inviting different friend groups from different areas of your personal and professional life, and it’s the host’s job to make sure friends from work, the school run, sport and hobby groups mix, mingle and meet new people.

“I enjoy mixing and matching groups that wouldn’t typically mingle as it often leads to interesting dynamics and conversations,” says Fakoussa. “It’s about creating a setting where people are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone. One way I do this is by intentionally pairing guests with different backgrounds or interests during dinner or activities. This often sparks unexpected connections and fresh conversations.”

For Harrison “the right playlist” is the best way to bring everyone together, while Hamzeh says “games are the ultimate icebreaker”.

“Fun trivia or active competitions are always the thing to do to get people to mingle,” she says. “We have giant games that we scatter around our events that help with making the environment more welcoming for those with a little social anxiety.”

Fakoussa adds: “The key is to trust the process and let the natural energy of diverse groups unfold; it’s usually the most engaging part of the evening.”

Happy host, happy guests

It’s up to the host to set the tone for the party and while you can bring every aspect together perfectly, if you’re not enjoying yourself, your guests will pick up on the vibe.

“The key is preparation that will give you the peace of mind. Also, don’t be afraid to get some help if you need it,” says Zhou. “Try to get as much done as possible ahead of time – set up the decor, prep the food and sort out the space the day before. Have a loose plan for how the party will flow, but don’t stress if things need to shift a bit. Most importantly, remind yourself it doesn’t have to be perfect. The whole point is to have fun with your guests and creating lasting memories.”

Smaller or casual gatherings might entail less stress than large or formal parties, but having a vague outline or idea of how the event should progress is an easy way to stay on top of things and allay anxiety. “Creating a detailed timeline for the day and ensuring that everything from catering to entertainment is locked in ahead of time also helps,” says Fakoussa. “The key to avoiding stress on the day of the event is meticulous planning and delegating effectively.”

Top tips

“The number one thing to get absolutely right is the flow of the space,” says Foussaka. “Whether at home or a venue, the layout should encourage guests to mingle without feeling too spread out or too cramped. You want a space that’s just the right size – not too big, where people feel distant, or too small, where it feels crowded.”

Guest experience should be the ultimate goal for hosts, which also means not sweating the small stuff and taking it in your stride when things might not go as planned. Zhou says: “It’s about creating an atmosphere where people can relax, connect and genuinely enjoy themselves. When your guests feel looked after, it won’t matter if a minor detail goes wrong. They might forget what was on the menu, but they’ll never forget how your party made them feel or how much fun they had.”