How To Be a Good Host When Your Friends Come Over

How does that old song go? “Let me entertain you. Let me make you smile.”

As a host of a party or get-together, keeping everyone entertained and satisfied over a couple-hour period is easier said than done, right? Sure, we all love the idea of getting a bunch of our closest friends under one roof, but being the party-giver is a little more taxing than being one of the partygoers. Becoming a good host requires planning, diligence, and staying calm and collected – especially if something doesn’t entirely go as expected. Keep on scrolling to learn how you can be the ultimate master of ceremonies when your friends come over.  

Plan Ahead 

To be a good host, planning ahead is a must. Organizing the event’s logistics before any guest sets foot in your home will only lead to a more pleasant experience for everyone involved (including yourself).

Start off by deciding how many people you can comfortably accommodate in your pad. Is there a seat for everyone in your living room? What about in the kitchen?  

From there, send out invitations well in advance. Our lives can get pretty hectic, so giving guests ample time to RSVP and fit the gathering into their schedules will go a long way. You should include a date, address, and time on your invitation. Consider listing both a start and end time to avoid any awkward moments or confusion when the party starts winding down.

You may also want to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions on your invitation. That will make creating a popular menu that everyone can enjoy much more manageable. Lastly, stock up on items for rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen since guests will likely frequent those spaces. Make linens, napkins, sanitary napkins, and soap dispensers/hand sanitizer readily accessible.   

Tidy Up Your Home  

A tidy home is a happy home, so bust out the old broom and dustpan and get sweeping! Check every nook and cranny to give your home, guests, and yourself the worthy cleaning you all deserve.

Beyond taking care of the dust, dirt, and debris accumulated around your place, you’ll want to clear your floor of any kid or pet toys that may be lying around. You don’t want any accidents happening on your watch, so declutter your home to ensure a safe environment for everyone invited.

But tidying doesn’t stop when your guests arrive. Set up receptacles in convenient and easy-to-spot corners around your home so visitors won’t have to look too far to drop off their trash.  

It’s All About the Ambience 

In many ways, your home is an extension of your personal taste and lifestyle, so your party's ambience should reflect that. Consider the nature of your event, then decide how you want to craft your unique atmosphere. For example, a casual get-together with friends might not have an overarching theme, but a murder mystery party could include dimmed artificial lighting and soft accompanying mysterious music playing out of a speaker to set the mood.  

Decorations, lighting, temperature, music, and scents are all controllable aspects of your event’s ambience. But if you’re in a pinch and need some quick help to find your event’s look, check out our article on where to find the best home décor inspiration.

Menu Masterfully 

Just like your event’s ambience, the menu is fully customizable. From the appetizers to the main dish and sides and all the way to the dessert, your courses can offer a wide variety of tastes and cuisines to satisfy even the pickiest pallet.

However, that doesn’t mean you should go completely off the wall with your choices. There are a few considerations to make when crafting the perfect menu. Remember when we recommended asking your guests if they have any dietary restrictions during the invitation phase? That information will come in handy now!

Even if you had your heart set on serving up that recipe that has been passed down your family tree for hundreds of years, you could still offer suitable alternatives for those who won’t indulge in your savory specialty. If one or more of your friends is vegetarian or vegan, don’t forget to label the dishes that follow their diet explicitly. And for your non-drinking buddies, make sure to have a few non-alcoholic beverages on hand for them, too.  

The Welcoming Committee 

We opened with a reference to a Broadway classic, so why not keep the party going? Every good host knows “you’re never fully dressed without a smile.” As guests start to arrive, a good host will greet them at the door with a smile that could light up the night sky. Welcome them into your home and offer to take their coats or hats if they’re wearing them.

Now is also the time to politely inform them of any specific rules you follow in your house, like leaving shoes by the front door. If you don’t feel comfortable asking your friends directly, you can try a slightly more subtle approach, like leaving a sign by the front door.

Introduce guests to each other as they make their way inside and offer them a drink or refreshment. If some of your guests are meeting each other for the first time, help break the ice by facilitating conversation with open-ended questions about topics like hobbies or work. Remember: as host, you’re in charge. It’s up to you to make your guests feel at ease with their new surroundings.  

Don’t Forget To Have Fun 

Everything might not go as planned, but that’s okay! Be adaptable, and don’t forget to have fun. That IS the point of having guests over, right? To enjoy the time and company of those you cherish the most. And here’s the good news: you can remedy the things that didn’t pan out the way you wanted the next time you host your friends and family at your place. One thing that’s true of a good host – they're always learning!