More complicated than it needs to be': how to start hosting parties

"Indeed, in January, the Atlantic's Ellen Cushing declared that America is in a party deficit, quoting a 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics report that found only 4.1% of Americans attended or hosted a social event on an average holiday weekend. That figure was down a whopping 35% since 2004. Maybe the pandemic is to blame. Or the loneliness epidemic. Or smartphones."

"Hosting has become more complicated than it needs to be, says Marina Birch, principal event architect at Birch Design Studio. The extravagant, artfully decorated events you see on Instagram look great, but a party doesn't have to be so elaborate, aesthetic or expensive. Hosting is really just about gathering people and making them feel comfortable, Birch says. When the focus shifts to how it looks instead of how it feels, it can feel overwhelming."

Party attendance has fallen dramatically, with only 4.1% of Americans attending or hosting a social event on an average holiday weekend, a 35% drop since 2004. Hosting can feel intimidating due to perceived cost, effort, fear that no one will show up, and pressure from curated social-media aesthetics. Effective hosting centers on making guests comfortable rather than creating elaborate visuals. Begin by choosing a comfortable scale and guest list, select a location that puts the host at ease, and then plan essential logistics such as timing, duration, and the menu to match the chosen format.

Read at www.theguardian.com