In the eighties people entertained at home and cooked Beef de Bourguignon. It was the era of the formal dining room AND the progressive dinner party. It was a time when people still drove drunk. Then in the nineties, no one entertained at home. It was considered fashionable to head out to mega clubs and take designer drugs. The Fit for Life diet was all the rage and Evian suited those who wanted to be thin like Moss-ie. In the noughties, after a surge of mod-Oz cuisine and New World wine, we had what the markets call ‘a correction’. Post-GFC people went crazy for cooking shows and home renovation.

It stands to reason then, that house parties are experiencing a resurgence. Particularly with those who’ve remodelled their open plan kitchens to meet luxury hospitality standards.

And let’s face it, a good home comes to life at a party. It’s precisely because your home is a reflection of your personality that these four walls imbue any occasion with a deeper sense of meaning. So how do you create the perfect mix of elements and protect your most prized asset in the process? According to our board of professional party starters a ‘devil may care’ attitude will only get you so far. Social success relies on preparation, planning and generosity.

So pick up your clipboard and your red pen – it’s time to start circling the best tips when it comes to throwing the most memorable house party. Our expert line up includes: chef Jane Strode, music consultant Luke McAvenna, stationery expert Phoebe Gazal, wine educator Todd Slater, wine importer David Matters and home stylist Adam de Launay.

01 Communicate

Face facts, a Facebook invite will only get you so far. Even in the digital age, formalities still count. Choose a printed, postal invite to ensure your party gets noticed.

“A great invitation makes a great party,” says Phoebe Gazal from Papier D’Amour, Double Bay. “If the guests are excited from the get-go, they will make a lot of effort in their own preparation for your party. This influences what they wear, who they bring along and the drinks they carry.”

Apply this posted invite rigor to your next party or individually phone guests to explain the occasion. No one likes a Saturday night to be too shrouded in mystery.

02 Prepare thyself

As chef Jan Strode from Bistrode CBD and Kitchen Sync Catering points out, preparation is crucial. “If you are cooking a dinner, then make sure you have prepared all dishes before. Don’t try out anything new on your friends. You also need to decide on your own outfit ahead of time. So many times I have been standing at the cupboard, not having any idea what to wear. It can be a real problem!”

Having your own state-of-mind intact will help you to be a gracious host. No one likes to walk in and see you packing up the iron or putting on your lipstick. Fix yourself a drink, turn down the lights and crank up the music. You are the leader in this event, so be cool and act the part.

03 Go big 

When it comes to parties, size matters. Whether it’s a chilled Mediterranean dinner for ten or a pumping rave – something big and visual helps set the scene. It could be flowers, lights or decorations floating, dangling or coiling the house.

“Giant balloons with gold or silver streamers are popular at the moment,” says Gazal. “Their size makes a huge impact. Also inflatable swans and flamingos floating in a pool look fun and are great at night with lights in them. Even little touches like toothpicks and serviettes all in the same theme can look gorgeous. Fresh flowers always look amazing.”

04 Stock the bar

The bigger the better, in the drinks department too. Todd Slater from Five Ways cellars says his golden rule is, “Be generous, over cater on the drinks, have good music and have fun. A generous host is always remembered.” Slater who often caters parties and is also a wine educator, says planning where to locate the bar in is key. “Allow plenty of space, give concern to temperature and ensure there’s plenty of ice. Also keep the list simple. Too much choice is too much confusion.”

As Todd points out, having staff to serve the drinks will allow you to spend more time with your guests. “Make sure you get plenty of limes and lemons, a shaker, muddler and lots of ice.”

His advice on the wine list set up is two white wines and two red wines. “Buy a good Riesling and a fuller white – say Chardonnay and then Pinot Noir and a good red blend. There’s no excuse for bad wines. Buy the best your budget allows,” Slater says. “Gin, Campari or Aperol, plus Vodka and a good vermouth are essential. You can cover most of the classics with those. Again, keep it simple and over cater.”

Dave Matters from Whole Bunch Wines & Best Cellars agrees great wine and Champagne pack a powerful punch. Stay classy in this department so people feel pampered. “A magnum of Champagne looks great for the ‘wow factor’ and waiters can still pour it without too much hassle. Whereas the Jeroboam has amazing wow factor, but is difficult to handle unless served from a professional bar” he says.

Matters recommends forgetting ‘ordinary’ grand marques like Moet & Chandon in favour of a great grower Champagne. “These days you can find so many great Growers Champagnes without having to bust the budget, such as Agraprat,  Laherte Frères and Larmandier – which are my picks.”

05 Let the DJ connect

“Think about where the bar is going to be and see if you can put the DJ and bar near each other,” says music consultant Luke McAvenna from Rhythm Nation. “People will always go to the bar and see the DJ, and in reverse when people are dancing, they get thirsty and need a drink from the bar,” he says.

Whether you have hired a DJ, band or soloist – the planning of collision zones will create good spaces for the romantically inclined to interact. The other main consideration is to do like you would in a large tactical battle and prepare for the unknown. Have ammunition at the ready.

“The ability to be flexible with music and to adapt to the mood is really important, I can’t stress this enough to beginners. When I prepare playlists for parties I always include a few extra for late night. Even if you think your crowd is sedate, it pays to have a few options up your sleeve if things start to get crazy,” McAvenna says.

06 Go subliminal

As music consultant and DJ Luke McAvenna knows, music can maketh the party. But, he says, it doesn’t have to be ‘in your face’ to influence enjoyment. “Music definitely works on a subconscious level,” McAvenna says. “Even if your guests don’t notice it, preparing a playlist that follows the arc of the evening is really important.”

Knowing your demographic is key, play music they will enjoy – not just the sounds you favour yourself. When it comes to hiring a DJ, Luke warns against hiring a big name you heard once at The Ivy. While it might seem like a power move to hire the big guns and get BSS Light Sounds to set up two two-hundred watt speakers – if they can’t play to a room of 20 people meeting for the first time, you’ve wasted a golden opportunity.

07 Engage the senses

Designer and home stylist Adam de Launay, says the single biggest thing people forget when throwing a party is to ‘honour the five senses’ – sight, touch, smell, taste and sound. “Make sure from the moment we walk through that door we are in love with your home and its fragrance. A high quality candle will do the trick. Tom Dixon London or Glasshouse La Maison Number 4 are favourites of mine!” De Launay says. He also advises to have something on hand right away, for people to eat and drink when they arrive.

When it comes clearing the decks, De Launay suggests hosts zen the space well before blowing up the balloons. “It’s ok to style your home and live the dream for a night. Edit everyday items and then put some thought into making your home look fun, beautiful and welcoming,” he says.

Children’s toys, exercise equipment, game machines, and bills stuck to the fridge must vanish. It also pays to clean your house ahead of time and to order a cleaner for the next day.  Depending on your home it can be advisable to cordon off areas that are truly private and stash things people might find in your bathroom cabinets. Lube, condoms, prescription drugs, tampons and old pills should also disappear. In terms of breakables and valuables, use common sense.

“If it’s going to make you cry – then I’d put it away,” says De Launay, “But face facts; it’s a party and things get broken.”

08 Lighten the mood

Lighting is critical to setting the scene. “Mood lighting is a real thing,” says De Launay emphatically. “We want to be able to see where we’re walking sure, but warm, low light is best throughout the home. Use dimmed lighting, candles and lamps to give us the glow we deserve at the end of the week!”

09 Prepare the hearth

It’s really inevitable your guests will spend a good deal of time in your kitchen and bathroom, so remember to plan extra surfaces. “Make sure there is ample space to rest drinks and canapés on surfaces, without damaging the top of the piano,” De Launay says.

To enhance the flow of conversation he suggests imagining different zones in the home that people will be drawn to. “Scatter these areas throughout the entertaining space, creating pockets of fun and conversation. Ensure a good variety of seating options— low seating, high seating and none at all. But don’t over-do the seating options – it can bring a party down very quickly.”

Phoebe Gazal also insists you prepare for the odd heavy drinker and smoker. “Having a designated smokers area with ash trays is a good idea – guests will smoke, so you are better off giving them an area. Music too is sooo important – drunk guests changing the music mid-song is never a great look,” she says.

10 Feed the beast

“Food is 50% of the event,” says chef Jane Strode. “The food says to people that the host really wants you to have a great time. It’s crowd, music and ambience – but food sets the tone.

“We did a 40th recently at home and they are really into “big” things. They went all out. We had a huge paella, a pig on a spit, and great big cheese board with three huge wheels of cheese and then a huge amount of freshly shucked oyster just sitting in their tubs on crushed ice. They also drew up a ute and had the tray filled with ice and beer. People were just blown away by the abundance and the generosity of the food.”

Strode says if it’s a cocktail party and you want to engage caterers so you can mingle, then work on a tried and tested ratio. “For cocktail parties I have always worked on a menu of six different times and everyone gets three of each, so that’s 18 items per person. “Six is enough variety. Also remember that at every party there is always that group of people who sit by the kitchen door waiting for the food come out. Make sure your floor staff know to circulate the room.”

Finally, have fun! No one likes an uptight host. Remember that a party also needs a social point other than you. This could be a blazing fire, an adult piñata or performance. Also remember Murphy’s Law. Things go wrong at parties and stuff gets broken. Your ability to sail through the problems with a smile on your dial will affect how much your house is enjoyed. In the end relax – the house parties of classical antiquity went on for up to three weeks! These days anywhere between 5 – 24 hours is all you endure. Fix a strong drink, turn up the stereo and ask the neighbours in for a G&T.