Do you remember what parties for grown ups are like?
There’s significantly less screaming and barf-related messes.
(Well, assuming you’re out of college.)
In today’s post, we’re going to discuss how to throw a sophisticated party for adults—the kind of gathering that you can put on and feel proud of. By the time you’re done reading this concise-yet-detailed post, you’ll know everything you need to put on a fantastic shindig.
The first rule is to not call it a shindig.
...But you’ll also learn:
Why planning ahead is key
How to pick a theme (and why you might not want to)
The best possible party games that everyone can enjoy
How to serve appetizers the right way
Sound good?
Let’s get started by looking at what is perhaps the most important component of a successful adult soirée:
Plan Ahead By At Least 1 Week
This is a short but extremely important tip. Ignore at your own peril!
Getting a group of adults together in the same room can be a bit like herding cats. Most of us, especially those of us with kids, have plenty of obligations to keep us busy all week long. Do your best to let everyone know about your party one or two weeks in advance. If you don’t, there’s a really solid chance that a majority of your guest list won’t be able to make it on short notice.
These days Facebook, email, or even just a text are quick and easy ways to start getting those RSVPs rolling in. But if you want to “fancy it up” a bit, there’s nothing wrong with sending out real-world invitation cards, which serve the added benefit of being a bit more likely to catch the attention of your invitees.
Pick a Theme – Or Don’t, Because That’s Okay Too
In recent years, it’s become very popular for grown up parties to involve a theme of some kind, perhaps the most common of which are those with a “decade” theme, such as the 70s, 80s, or, more recently and my do I feel old, the 90s. Wine and cheese nights, mixology parties, luaus in the summer, and DIY nights are all great choices and can add a little flair to the evening.
But here’s the thing: what if you don’t want a themed party? What if you want just a regular old party with your friends, where everyone gets together to enjoy food, drinks, some light music, and (perhaps most importantly) great adult conversation?
That’s all right too—the point of a party is to have a good time, and I can count at least several people in my social circle that wouldn’t enjoy a “theme night” at all. Maybe that describes you, or maybe you just don’t want to do the extra work required to coordinate a themed party. Again, as long as you and your guests enjoy yourselves, you’re free to consider the party a wonderful success.
Having said that, it’s never a bad idea to have some extra activities for your guests to enjoy, for reasons we’ll discuss below.
Offer Fun, Simple, and Optional Party Games
Think of party games like fuel for socializing.
Here’s an example: chess is a great game, but there’s a reason it’s not a popular party game—it requires a lot of focus and strategy. It isn’t the kind of thing that anyone would describe as “lighthearted.” And, if we’re being honest, it would probably be pretty boring for everyone else not playing (unless you’re hosting a party for a chess club).
The point is, a party game should be fun and simple… and optional. That last part is especially important, since not all of your guests will want to participate. Party games should add to the atmosphere, fun, and socialization of your party, not detract from it by being overly complex or mandatory. Ideally, guests can drop in and out of the game at will.
We’re a bit biased, but here at Confetti Couture we think that the easiest and most affordable way to introduce a party game to your guests is with our party game sheets. One order of these sheets from our Amazon Store will provide you with everything you need for up to 24 guests to enjoy 10 different games—yes, all on the same sheet!
Games you can play include beloved favorites like treasure hunts, photo scavenger hunts, guessing games, charades, and many, many more, including more modern games like a unique game where you can only give clues to the other players using emojis.
We also have a different version of the party game sheets linked above. It’s the same great deal—10 fun, entertaining games for you and your guests to enjoy at gatherings of any kind.
Apply K.I.S.S. to Your Appetizers & Hors D’oeuvres
We all remember the old mildly offensive acronym K.I.S.S., right? It stands for Keep it Simple, Stupid, and it’s actually a pretty good rule of thumb when preparing the appetizers and hors d’oeuvres for your party. Small portion treats that aren’t messy are going to be your go-to attributes for your selections.
Of course, you’ll also want to do your best to select universally-loved snacks for your guests. Cupcakes are, of course, the classic choice.
For the best possible presentation, make sure to use our elegant-yet-affordable cupcake wrappers. As examples for grown up parties, these wood grain cupcake wrappers or our adorable reversible ocean-themed cupcake wrappers are sophisticated, fun choices to show your guests that you thought of every last detail.
Our Final Piece of Advice: YOU Set the Tone!
Remember, if you’re the organizer for a party—for adults or kids—you’re the one who sets the tone for the evening.
So… what are you to do with that little bit of information?
Relax! When you’re relaxed and having a good time, your guests will too. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Share those good vibes, enjoy an evening with your friends, and your positivity will be contagious.
And for everything else? We’re here for you.
