Seven tips for a stress-free party

Don’t forget to dance: 7 Tips for a stress-free party

“I just try to love and serve everyone, and bring everyone water, and lend an ear.” –Anne Lamott

staCie CharboNNeau hess

I love being a host. Maybe it’s the control freak in me, but I enjoy decorating a space, inviting people over, and sharing a glass of wine. My guests almost always linger, which tells me they are comfortable, well-fed, and I have served them enough water. Being a good host is about anticipating a guest’s needs, preparing ahead of time, and then relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and family. Ideally, the details are worked out ahead of time so that you, as the host, can enjoy yourself along with your guests.

This summer, my cousins and I are planning a party to commemorate three momentous occasions: a 40th anniversary, a 50th birthday, and a 13th birthday. We expect somewhere between 118 and 140 people – not as formal as a wedding but obviously not a typical backyard party. We’ve been doing a bit of research these past few weeks so I’m sharing with you some local resources in case you’re ready to plan that long-awaited postCovid bash, too.

1get a portapotty My mom texted me one day: “You should get a portapotty. That’s a lot of flushing” – to which I balked. But then I thought about it. Moms are smart. A relative of ours is in a wheelchair – it is difficult for her to get in our tiny guest bathroom. In the end, I rented an accessible portapotty for $275. The portapotty will serve as a second bathroom to alleviate extra water usage. It will also allow people to stay outside and spend more time with friends and less time looking for the bathroom. I used Clean Portable Restrooms in Bridgewater, at cleanportablerestrooms.com.

2get a speCial Cake The occasions I mentioned above definitely warrant some special recognition. I called “Twisted Treats and Savories” in Dartmouth. My friend Sonya used to run an eco-conscious catering business way before it was in vogue. Now she makes breathtakingly gorgeous and fun cakes that are not only incredible sculptures/ works of art, but they are made from organic ingredients in eco-friendly packaging. Twisted Treats and Savories can be reached at (508) 294-7087, and can also be found on Facebook.

3have soMethiNg fuN for

your guests to do An outdoor party in August demanded some sort of water-play, cool-down feature. I was torn between a dunk tank, a water slide, or a Slip ‘n Slide, and the rental company had all three! In the end, I went with the Slip ‘n Slide. Delivery, set up, and take down is less than $350 from Busy Bees Jumpers rental in Whitman – they are renting me some tables and chairs, too. You can see more at busybeejumpers.com.

4CoNsider a teNt to defiNe

the spaCe (and shield you from weather). Though it doesn’t typically rain on August afternoons, I wanted the

i love the food truCk idea for a party beCause it gets guests up aNd WalkiNg arouNd, aNd takiNg respoNsibility for their oWN huNger, rather thaN WaitiNg passively to be served

musicians and DJ to stay cool and section off some area of the yard for dancing, which I consider the most important aspect of a fabulous party. A 16’ x 16’ tent from Chase Canopy was the answer: Delivery, set up and take down was about $800. Chase Canopy is in Mattapoisett, and can be found at chasecanopy. com.

5doN’t Cook every-

thiNg yourself If you love to cook, I commend you. I am a baker myself. While I don’t mind cooking a quick meal for my close family, the thought of cooking for 100+ people seemed impossible if I wanted to enjoy my own party. To keep things fun and low key, my cousins and I booked the “Oxcart” which is Oxford Creamery’s portable food truck. I love the food truck idea for a party because it gets guests up and walking around, and taking responsibility for their own hunger, rather than waiting passively to be served or standing in a serpentine line for the buffet. You can book it yourself by going to oxfordcreamery.com.

6iNvolve your frieNds aNd faMily

The control freak in me puts on the brakes and says, “No way!” but the host in me, who is doing this for the right reasons, welcomes input from others, as well as help with logistics and planning. Like planning any event, hearing different opinions and putting energy together for a common goal is the way to go. The results are always better if more people have a stake in the outcome.

7fiNally: doN’t forget to have fuN

People relax when they see the host enjoying herself. Stuff is gonna come up: before, during, and after the party. You’ll be the one people come to for questions: just point the way to the keg, the food, the bathroom. You got this! No matter what happens, in the end the guests will remember the good time they had catching up with old friends and making new ones. You made that happen. Now, go sit down and enjoy the party and the people you’ve gathered together. Don’t forget to dance. People will remember that most of all. As Anne Lamott said, “These are the words I want on my gravestone: that I was a helper, and that I danced.”

staCie CharboNNeau

hess is a mother, a graduate student, and a freelance writer based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband, three children, and too many pets to mention!

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