You also don’t want your guests to be thirsty, so make sure you have plenty for them to drink. If you serve alcoholic beverages, also provide plenty of nonalcoholic beverages to keep people hydrated. Remember that your neighbors deserve respect. One of the things that can prevent problems is to invite your neighbors to your event. However, if you’re unable to do that, at least inform them that you’re having some people over and ask them to let you know if they’re being bothered. As you determine the size of your guest list, you need to consider how much parking is available. Your neighbors may be generous and offer their driveways, but don’t expect them to. Whatever you do, make sure your guests don’t block your neighbors’ driveways. Having a potluck will give the guests more options to choose from, and everyone will have a vested interest in the party. Very few people object to being asked to bring something to share with others. It’s fun to have a bigger variety on the buffet table. You might even ask people to share their recipes if they bring something unusual. Spreading out your tasks will take a lot of pressure off and enable you to feel as though you’ve accomplished something with each step. You’ll also have a much better time at the party since you didn’t have to rush at the last minute. You don’t have to pull out all of your activities at once, or right off the bat. It’s just nice to have a few things you can do if the party begins to feel dull, such as card games, board games, and conversation starter cards. Outdoor game nights can be loads of fun. If your guests don’t already know each other, providing name tags and an introduction can help prevent embarrassing situations. Even if they don’t keep their name tags on throughout the entire event, it helps when they first meet other guests.
