Expert Tips For A Great Party

When it comes to hosting a great party, party-planner-to-the-stars Jes Gordon knows exactly what is needed. Her work has taken her from the set of films like Dead Man Walking to coordinating events and décor at Tavern on the Green in New York City. She has a book, Party Like A Rock Star, and regularly produces events for stars like Madonna, Sting, and Harrison Ford though her own event planning and production firm. Most recently, however, Gordon can be found on Bravo's Rocco's Dinner Party, where she helps the competing chefs bring their vision for a memorable dinner gathering to fruition.

The Key to a Great Party? Sensory Appeal

According to Gordon, a great party is one that covers all five senses: taste, touch, sound, scent, and sight. "People get bored so quickly," Gordon explains. "They have short attentions spans, especially when it comes to entertaining, so it's important to keep your party stimulating in many ways." Gordon creates an entire experience, starting with taste — the food — and adds something appealing to touch, like nice textures and fabrics, when setting the table. She then adds an audible component, like music or entertainment, and something visual, like flowers, proper lighting, and any additional décor relevant to the theme. She completes the sensory experience with subtle scents. At the table and in the kitchen, let your food do that for you, then add scented candles in places like the powder room or front hall. The experience alone should get your guests talking — and if that doesn't work, add a novelty item like a custom specialty cocktail or an interactive beverage or candy bar to your menu. When two guests begin to compare notes on what they deem as the perfect pizza, the conversation is sure to continue all night.

Enjoy the Planning Process

Now if creating a complete sensory experience at your next dinner party makes you want to go climb back in bed, don't stop reading now! "Remember that this isn't the one and only party you will throw in a lifetime," Gordon urges, nor are you being judged on its success. "Make the first time simple and look forward to moving onto another party in the near future to keep evolving as a host," she adds. It's important to not sweat the small stuff, but to keep things in perspective. "You aren't planning a funeral here — you are planning a party," Gordon cautions. It's supposed to be enjoyable not a migraine-inducing nightmare.

Hire Help

While some hosts are still refining their entertaining chops, others are ready to take things to the next level. If you've got the dinner party down to a science, it's time to challenge yourself. "Hiring a support staff is a great way to graduate to the next level and really become the ultimate host," Gordon says. She recommends looking to local colleges where hungry students are often eager to help you do the heavy lifting for a budget-friendly price, if you can't commit to a professional staffing company. "Remember," Gordon says, "the best hosts are ones that actually attend their own parties and do not spend the entire night in the kitchen."

Befriend Your Budget

Never had a budget before when entertaining? It's the first thing you should do when planning a party, before you even set the date and your guests, and is something Gordon often sees hosts forgetting. Create a budget you can stick to, and then spread it out across all elements of the party. Gordon likens a budget to the shmear on a bagel. "Put a dollar amount on all five senses and try to make things equal, but if an area such as food or entertainment is uber important to you, then allocate a bit more to those areas, but try to make it as equal as possible. You don't want one area to suffer," Gordon adds.

Find Inspiration When Setting the Table

If the idea of creating a budget creates visions of white glove galas that dance in your head, think again. Even the simplest dinner parties can benefit from a limit on how much you can and should spend, as in the end it's about sharing a meal with friends rather than showing off your spending abilities. To create a simple yet stunning scene, Gordon suggests starting with non-scented candles in all shapes and sizes. Keep your centerpiece, if you want one, low so your guests can see each other. Don't have a tablecloth? Don't worry. "Try a table runner instead, or opt for cool place mats," Gordon suggests. Just remember to consider the table as just one part of the larger environment and think about what sort of ambiance you want to create. And if you're feeling uninspired, look to what makes you excited about having friends over. Maybe it's a display at your local stationary store, a movie you recently saw, even that song you heard on the radio the other day that put you in a great mood. "Inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere," Gordon explains.

What Not To Forget

What's the one thing Gordon finds that a host often doesn't think about? The bathroom. "It might seem funny, but many hosts don't even consider it — it too needs to be made party ready," Gordon says. As you wouldn't want an ill-equipped bathroom to be your one party disaster, be sure to provide plenty of TP, a plunger, hand towels, and a scented candle or diffuser for an unexpected luxurious touch.