Hosting a family event can be a lot of work, especially if it’s your first time. If you’re thinking about hosting a family event, you’ll need to balance the needs of people of all age ranges and proximity, from young children to seniors.
Whether you’re hosting a family reunion, a holiday gathering, or a birthday party, here are some tips and ideas to make the event more pleasant for everyone, you included.
Let’s get started!
1) Finalize your food arrangements
When hosting a family event, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough food to go around. After all, it’s everyone’s favorite part of any get-together!
If you’re not sure how much food to prepare, ask other family members for help. You may even make it a potluck-style gathering where everyone brings their favorite dish. This can take some pressure off of you in preparing all the food.
Another option is to hire a catering service if you’re expecting a large number of guests or if you want to focus on other aspects of the event. They can take a load off your plate and ensure that everyone has something to eat that they’ll enjoy.
If you want to learn more about hosting and preparing for a grand dinner event, click here.
2) Prepare kid-friendly activities
If you have young children in your family, it’s important to have some activities prepared for them. Otherwise, they may get bored and restless during the event—which can be a stressful ordeal for both you and your parents.
One option is to set up a kids’ table with coloring books, puzzles, and other activities to keep them occupied. This way, they’ll have their own space to play and can be supervised more easily.
Another idea is to dedicate a section of the program to family-friendly activities. Activities like the “Bring Me” game or a scavenger hunt can be lots of fun for young ones and the young at heart. You can even give prizes or cash to the winners, making it all the more enticing!
3) Do check in with each guest
When hosting a family event, it’s important that you make an effort to talk to each one of your guests. This is especially true if you have relatives that you don’t see often or traveling a long distance to make it there.
Take the time to ask them how they’re doing, what’s new in their lives, and catch up on old times. This will make them feel appreciated and welcomed, and they’ll be more likely to feel welcomed and enjoy the event.
4) Prepare snacks for during the event
While you may already have a meal planned for your guests, it’s always good to have some snacks prepared as well. This way, if anyone gets hungry in between meals, they’ll have something light to munch on.
While you can never go wrong with some chips and fries, try switching things up and provide healthier alternatives for a change. This can include:
- Fruits like banana and apple slices
- Nuts and seeds
- Cheese and crackers
- Green salads
- Yogurt or fruit cups
If you want to hold annual or bi-annual gatherings, change up the snacks by considering the season. For example, if it’s during the winter, you can have hot chocolate or warm cookies as snacks. Summertime, on the other hand, calls for some iced tea and watermelon slices.
5) Make sure there’s ample seating and tables
One thing you’ll want to avoid is having your guests stand around or sit on the floor because there’s not enough seating. If you’re hosting at home, make sure to have enough chairs and tables for everyone as well as enough space for them to move around.
You may even want to consider renting some additional furniture if you’re expecting a large number of guests. This way, you can be sure that everyone will be comfortable and have a place to sit and eat their meal.
6) Give the kids time to shine
Chances are, your relatives’ children have a special set of skills that they want to show off. Why not give them the opportunity to do so at your family event?
This can be anything from a dance performance or a solo performance with a musical instrument of their choice. Not only will the kids have fun, but this can be a great source of pride for their parents as well!
7) Note any food restrictions
You shouldn’t be stressing about your guests’ dietary restrictions when you’re already busy enough with the event. Instead, do yourself a favor and make a note of any food restrictions in advance.
When sending out invitations for your family event, ask your guests about any food allergies or dietary preferences. No one wants to be left out or feel sick because they can’t eat what’s being served, so keep that in mind before choosing the menu.
8) Get a designated photographer
One of the best ways to capture memories is through photos and videos. But if you’re busy hosting, you may not have the time to take photos or videos yourself.
That’s why it’s a good idea to designate a family member or friend as the official photographer or videographer. They can be anyone, from your teenage niece to your brother. Just be sure they’re someone who actually enjoys taking snapshots of the event. This way, they can document the event while you can focus on keeping your guests happy.
9) Prepare some seats outside
If you’re hosting an indoor event, it’s always good to have some seats or a table set up outside as well. Indoor parties can oftentimes be loud and chaotic; perhaps even stuffy. Your guests may want to step out and enjoy the silent outdoors where they can enjoy their time alone or chat with another person.
To accommodate these guests, make sure to prepare some seats and a table outside. This way, they can still feel comfortable in the party without having to be in the midst of all the noise and commotion.
10) End the event on a high note
The last thing you want is for your guests to leave feeling underwhelmed or disappointed. So when it comes time to end the event, make sure to do so on a high note.
One way to do this is to have a fun activity planned for the end of the night. This can be anything from a dance party to showing a fun home video with everyone in it.
Alternatively, you can also end with a touching moment, such as a group photo or a heartfelt speech.
