6 Steps For Hosting The Perfect Spring Party With Friends

Spring has sprung. This is a bittersweet time of year for me. While I love the lime green glow from budding leaves on the trees, and the onslaught of fresh flowers everywhere, I can feel the temperature rising and this ice queen melts. But my favorite thing about Spring, is that all my winter-loathing pals are finally out of hibernation and ready to socialize again. So what better way to celebrate than by having a party? These are all things you need to know to plan your own Spring Soiree.

I've already spent the time perusing Pinterest so you don't have to. All the images featured here and lots more can be found on my Spring Party board.

#1. Set a budget -- and plan to stick to it.

It doesn’t matter if your budget is $50, or you’re Lisa Vanderpump throwing your Rose and Diamonds affair with upwards of $50,000 or more, you need to decide what you have (or want) to spend on your party. The quickest way to ruin a perfectly good party is to feel bad about the money that was spent when it’s over. This is just as true for small dinner parties and at home get togethers as it is for baby showers and weddings. Buyer's remorse is never in style.

#2. Make your guest list.

Now that you know how much money you have to spend, you can put together a guest list. Hint: the smaller the budget, the smaller the list. Be thoughtful with your invites. If it’s a couples thing, make sure everyone’s other half is included. If it’s a “girls squad” gathering, don’t leave out that one person who is at all the other get-togethers, but you personally take issue with because she always brings cheap wine. Of course, the line has to be drawn somewhere; not everyone is invited to everything. But be tactful and reasonable about it. Petty drama can ruin a beautiful party, so ask yourself if it’s worth it. You have the right to do whatever you want, but that doesn’t mean actions don’t come without consequences.

#3. Pick a theme.

Surprise! Your handy-dandy budget is going to help with this one too. Themes can be as straightforward as a color or a season, or as complicated and intricate as you desire. My suggestion, especially if you are being budget-conscious: keep it simple. A spring or garden theme gives you plenty of room to improvise and work with what you have. While you are at it, decide if this is lunch, drinks and desserts, appetizers, dinner, or potluck. If your budget can manage, try handling the food menu on your own. Food is the most important part of any party -- having complete control over this facet can be helpful in overall outcome. If you would like friends to each bring something, potluck style, put together a list of what you need and let everyone pick something. In my experience, guidance is best. I have been to Thanksgiving dinners where no one was in charge and we ended up with turkey, four sweet potato dishes, two butternut squash dishes, and stuffing. It will forever be the “Year of Mush” in my heart. Your guests can’t read your mind so offer direction. I don’t recommend assigning any specific items to specific people with your invitations. Your goal as a benevolent ruler/ host, is to gently guide your guests toward the decisions you want them to make.

#4. Invites -- make RSVPing as easy as humanly possible.

People are busy and distracted. Which means, it can be difficult to get responses even from the most well-meaning individuals, so have patience and expect to follow up multiple times. Paper invites are not just for weddings and showers. I love a cutesy paper invites sent snail mail for something simple like a dinner party. It doesn’t have to be a formal invitation, try a sweet or funny note card with a handwritten note inside. It can add a personal flare to the event and honestly, who doesn’t like getting something in the mail that isn’t bills? BUT, expect to follow up via email, evite, or text message. If this isn’t a wedding, don’t ask your friends to send back a paper RSVP, that is just annoying. The electronic follow up is also a good place to add all the important details like what guests should bring, or if this is a pop-in/pop-out event or a sit down meal. Note to those invitees out there: respond to your invitations. If the answer is no, say that. If it is yes, follow through. “I don’t feel like it,” is not a good excuse to bail on someone.

#5. Plan your menu.

This is my favorite part of any party planning. Food makes the event. Feed people well, and that is the only thing they will remember. Even if you are asking friends to bring a dish, it is still important to plan a loose menu so you can ensure all your bases are covered. Pro tip: Evaluate your strengths. You don’t need to do everything from scratch, but it shouldn’t all be pre-prepared either. I often decide what my specialties are and use local bakeries, delis, cheeseries, and grocers to help round out the meal. Below is some guidance for planning the perfect family-style, spring-inspired dinner.

#5a. Pick your appetizer.

This doesn’t have to be complicated and should be something that is out and waiting for your guests upon arrival. The Masters is this week, so why not try some pimento cheese and crackers. But please, if it is store bought, put it in a bowl, don’t serve it out of the container. Crostini is another great option that isn’t too labor intense, but always impressive.

#5b. The main meal.

Try two sides and a main/protein. For a spring meal, I love peas, asparagus, leeks, ramps, fiddlehead ferns, carrots, or artichokes paired with fingerling potatoes, gnocchi, or risotto. For the protein, I suggest lamb chops with minty chimichurri, lemon roasted chicken, or dilly salmon.

#5c. Bread.

Serve a beautiful artisan style loaf of bread with a sweet honey butter. Great place to get an assist from a local bakery.

#5d. Dessert.

Try something fruit-focused like a pie with ice cream or a decadent pound cake with fruit. Another one of my favorite dessert options is to put together an assortment of tea cookies. Ordering a dozen fancy, frosted flower cookies from a bakery is a great way to make your spread extra impressive without adding too much cost.

#5e. Drinks.

This is a great place to have guests help out as alcohol can get expensive. If you opt to have your guests each bring a wine/beer/beverage of choice to share, you can prepare a special non-alcoholic beverage to serve with the meal. Like a raspberry or lavender lemonade.

Tip: If you want to include flowers in your drinks/ice cubes, even salads, as they are so beautiful and popular right now, make sure they are food grade. Many flowers purchased from the floral department have been treated with chemicals you do not want to eat. My local Whole Foods sells edible salad flowers that are safe to eat. But if you can’t find something clearly marked, ask. If you still aren’t sure, try using fruit and fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary instead to accent your fancy cocktails.

#6. Decide on your decor.

Look at what you have. If you don’t want to purchase all new dishes you are best-off building your decor around things you already own. Make that grandma-style printed plate work for you by pulling out the colors and including them in your flowers for the table or napkins. Your table-scape doesn’t have to get super fancy to look special and elegant. A single flower on each seat or sprig of rosemary tied in the napkin can look absolutely stunning.

If you hate your dishes, try going with paper. There are the most dazzling options available in paper and eco-friendly bamboo that can give you the opportunity to explore new colors and themes. Meri Meri products are a great place to start. You can find them at Paper Source and many times on sale at Homegoods.

Design tips: 1) Details matter. 2) Layer things and find ways to incorporate different heights on a table, it will make it more interesting to the eye. 3) Buy ribbon. There will always be something it is useful for. 4) Don’t expect perfection. 5) Have fun with it.