Everyone needs a big, luxurious party now and again. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday or just getting together with old friends, there’s no event like a party to give you memories with friends and family that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
But how do you turn an ordinary party into an extraordinary one? What can you do to make sure your big bash is as legendary as you hoped?
In this post, we’ll discuss all the essentials for a house party that will blow all your guests away, including what to buy and what to prepare.
Fabulous food and drink
It goes without saying that you’ll want some delicious treats and beverages to make your party shine. But picking a menu is just the start.
As the party host, you’ll want to make sure you can spend your time having fun rather than being in the kitchen managing the food and beverages. Some must-haves include:
- A larger kitchen, so you can set out items like trays, plates, and non-perishable foods on your countertops and pop in to get them as needed rather than digging through drawers and cupboards.
- A big fridge, freezer and oven to keep everything cool at once, store lots of ice and heat up multiple dishes at the same time.
- Plenty of glasses, utensils and dishware, so you won’t need to leave the party to do washing up. Don’t underestimate your guests’ ability to go through plates!
- Heaps of corkscrews, bottle openers and any similar items needed for drinks.
Since many people don’t have super-spacious kitchens or substantial supplies of drinkware, plates, and tools, it’s often a good idea to rent a luxury party house that’s guaranteed to have these things.
When your rental house comes fully stocked with all the house party essentials, there’s less hassle both at the planning stage and during the party itself. You might even get a house that has two ovens or fridges, which gives you double the convenience.
Stand-out style
The look and style of your party’s setting is a huge part of its “wow” factor. A unique and glamorous venue gives a great first impression and sets your party off on the right foot.
Once your guests are inside, you’ll want decorations that are fun on the night and that look great in photos. There’s a reason why colourful LEDs are so popular – they immediately create that party mood, whether you’re having a family party or a stag do. For extra convenience, choose a party house that already has décor essentials for a house party. That’s just one more bit of party planning that you don’t need to worry about.
Little touches like table decorations and patterned disposable napkins can contribute to the party atmosphere. Consider getting some items for guests that they can wear in pictures – like printed family t-shirts for a family reunion or feather boas for a hen party.
Music is a must!
Music is also a must-have on our house party essentials list. If you can get a venue with a state-of-the-art sound system, that’s ideal! If not, invest in some portable speakers to place in each room, then set up a playlist.
Unforgettable activities
It’s important to remember that all parties have a rhythm to them. They’ll probably start out slower, get exciting in the middle, and then wind down after kids go to bed or as guests get tired. So, you’ll want activities that are appropriate for all stages of the party.
If you’re having a party to bring together family members who rarely see one another, maybe you’ll want an icebreaker-type game to start off the fun. At the start of a get-together for old friends from university, you could put together a video or slideshow of memories and bring everyone together to watch it in a cinema room. Similarly, for the end of the party, luxury amenities like hot tubs are great for winding down. Either way, these details can make a party feel special, luxe and memorable.
Of course, you’ll also want to think about your attendees and what they’ll like to do. For large parties, you’ll naturally have guests who have different preferences – some may want to chat or dance the whole time, and others might need to take a break with a quieter activity. That’s why it’s smart to set up different zones with different things that people can do. A games room can be great for this, since it lets people spend time together in a different way.
Lastly, if the weather is warm, consider having a pool party. That’s the perfect way to make your party stand out, and it instantly adds fun and relaxation for your guests.
Plan ahead for easy clean-up
You want your house party to be unforgettable for the right reasons – not because of the monstrous clean-up operation in the days that follow. We’ve mentioned napkins already, but they really are among the top essentials for a house party. They’re your first line of defence against spills and mess.
You’ll definitely also want to ensure you have plenty of paper towels and have some spray-on or roll-on stain remover for clothes on hand in case any red wine or tomato sauce goes astray. Your guests will thank you!
Lastly, have some big bin bags on hand to make clean-up easy. You can also create rubbish or clean-up stations throughout your house. For example, a designated tray for used glasses or cups can help keep mess contained so you can easily bring dishes to the kitchen. Again, it all goes back to having a well-stocked kitchen with lots of trays and kitchenware available!
Don’t skimp on sleeping space
Finally, don’t forget to consider what your guests will do when the party’s over. No-one wants to crash on a sofa or bundle into a rideshare when they’re worn out from a truly great party.
With that in mind, the best gift you can give to your friends and family is a comfy bed that they can head to just a floor or two up from your party. Choose a holiday house with lots of beds, and you can treat your loved ones to a delicious breakfast, too.
Get your perfectly equipped party house from kate & tom’s
Planning a special party can be a lot of work – but a unique, luxurious party house makes it so much easier. kate & tom’s party houses come equipped with all the house party essentials you’ll need, as well as unique style and indulgent features that will stun and impress your guests.
Not sure which party house is right for your celebration or get-together? Get in touch with us at [email protected]. Our team will be thrilled to chat with you and help you find exactly the right party house to make your big bash unforgettable.
