Creative events agency owner, entrepreneur and mother of two Kelly McGillivray knows just how stressful throwing the perfect party can be.
To help minimise silly season stress, the creator of Kelly’s Revenge chilli sauce shared her top party tips.
“First, be daring. Use your imagination and try something different,” she said. A dab hand at events, McGillivray knows that people are tired of “same old same old”.
Another tip is to leave as little as possible to the last minute.
“Prepare upfront. The more you do before the party, the less chance there is for things to go wrong.”
But whether you go “same old” or “different and daring”, McGillivray said to remember that less is more.
“Keep it simple,” she said.
“Cover all the bases. Good food, good drinks, good company and good entertainment are the foundations.”
But don’t let the distraction of party duties distract you from your guests.
“Empathy matters, so plan around your guests’ needs,” said McGillivray.
“Pay attention to detail. Little nuances turn the ordinary into the exceptional.”
McGillivray added that the unusual should be the usual, when it comes to parties.
“Throw in an unexpected surprise, and it could be a talking point for years to come,” she said.
As much as both guests and hosts love a good party, it is also important to party safe.
“Make sure your guests don’t drink and drive,” she advised.
“Another tip for a perfect party is to share the love. Ask your guests to bring a donation to your favourite charity.”
McGillivray also said hosts need to remember that it’s also their party.
“Spend time with your guests, and enjoy their company.”
