Be the host with the most this Christmas!

How to be a great party host

So what makes a great party host? Three words - preparation, preparation and preparation! It still stuns me when I arrive at a party either at a home or out and about when you get the sense the host is surprised when all the guests start arriving. I always ask myself how long have they had to prepare for this?! Prepare your glasses, be sure you have more than enough to drink in both the alcohol and non-alcohol stakes, make sure you have checked if people have dietary requirements, make sure everyone knows where they are going and how to get there and always be ready to go half an hour before kick-off time. Always remember plenty of mineral water.

Then when people arrive get to work! I simply cannot stand hosts who stand around having a chat while guests don't have a drink of some sort in their hand and there is no food being passed around.

Be generous. Don't skimp on food, drink, table decorations or anything else, including gas for your Barbie. Guests can smell a cheapskate from a mile away so don't carve a reputation for yourself as the host who always does just enough to meet expectations - be the host that always exceeds expectations and your friends and guests will always want to come back for more.

Buy the best you can afford and then don't be afraid to use it. That means if you have bought nice wine open some of it,  buy some great cheese from a good deli - there's no better time than when friends or colleagues are around at the end of the year to indulge a little in things you might not normally eat or drink.

Be attentive. If someone comes akin give them extra attention and be sure to introduce them to as many people as possible and keep an eye out for them all night. If someone has an empty glass offer to fill it right away, if conversation is stilted try to get it moving again, if it is too hot, check the air con if you think the music is too soft or loud do something about it.

It is your party, be the host. With the most.

Are you the host with the most? Tell us why below...