Start with a Strategy

Preparation is a big factor in the stress level of your party planning. Start with a plan of how you are going to tackle all the tasks at hand. Write down what you would like to get done before party time. Pretend you are a party guest and walk through your home from entry to main gathering space and identify things that might stick out to a guest’s eye. What would your actions be as a guest?

You walk in and look for a place to stick your coat or bag, then maybe look for a place to set down a card or gift, next you might look for a drink or snack, etc. Make sure things are in place to make these things go smoothly; like a coat rack or empty bed for coats, easy flow to a gift table, and ample room for gathering around drinks and food. Jot down tasks that need to be accomplished on a list while you walk through your home as a party guest. Jot down everything you want to straighten up and how you want to make your space feel comfortable and welcoming. Then put those tasks into your daily schedule.

When creating a plan, make sure you consider how people may want to celebrate and give them options. Drive-by's, outdoor parties, limiting the number of people and being sensitive to other's and their safety is a big concern right now. You want to celebrate but still be considerate of how others feel safe.

Create a Welcoming Entry

The first place guests see is the entrance to your home. Make your guests excited to come into the party with a welcoming entry. Sweep the front porch and walkway, brush away cobwebs from corners and light fixtures, consider grabbing some balloons or hanging a banner to let everyone know where the party is. (This is especially helpful to guests who have never been to your home before.)

Scrub those Bathrooms

Maybe the least fun part of party prep, but one of the most necessary tasks. At some point, one of your guests is going to need to use the restroom. Get the bathrooms scrubbed a few days in advance so that they just need a quick wipe down to get them ready to receive guests the day of. As with any surface of your home, clean well, have sanitizer ready for folks to use frequently and keep area's clear so people don't bunch up.

Clear Guest Areas

If you have overnight guests from out of town decide where they will be staying and get those spaces ready to feel like a home away from home. Clear clutter and leave room for them to spread out their things and feel comfortable. Put fresh linens on beds with an extra blanket folded up at the end of the bed in case they tend to get cold. Wipe down surfaces especially the bedside table. Vacuum the carpets and any upholstered furniture in the room. Maybe get a professional carpet cleaning or upholstery cleaning to ensure the room is super fresh. For an extra welcoming touch place some bottled water and a piece of paper saying “welcome” with the wifi password and any instructions and info about your home that may be helpful for your guest’s stay.

Gathering Spaces

Now is time to get those spaces where large groups will be hanging out ready. Put away any irreplaceable treasures you do not want accidentally broken, clear clutter away such as toys/books/shoes etc. Make sure there is plenty of seating. Make sure there is ample space in walkways.

Tackle the Kitchen

Morgan Hill Realtors suggest, "The kitchen is the hub of all the day of party prep. You want your kitchen in peak condition to be able to handle all of the hustle of making party food. Clean out the fridge to be ready to store large amounts of food, make plenty of room for ice in the freezer, clean up the stove and oven, scrub the countertops, empty garbage and recycling bins, and get the floors sparkling clean."

Polish Party Spaces the Day Of

Now that your home has been thoroughly and deeply cleaned you are ready to put just a few polishing touch-ups on them to have them ready for guests to walk in the door and have fun. Go through and fluff all the couch pillows, straighten the area rugs, light a candle, turn on music, and set out the food. Now you are ready to celebrate your graduate!

Also, ask your graduate what they are expecting. Tell guests what to expect and whether you require masks and temp checks. Everyone is different so if someone doesn't feel comfortable, it's best to keep the peace and offer them some other way of honoring your grad.

Congratulations to all the grads out there! It's been a rough year and you've worked extra hard to get through it. Don't miss an opportunity to celebrate when you can.