How to Host a Party That's Fun (and Safe!)

It’s refreshing to begin hosting people in our homes again, whether it’s being reunited with family for the holidays, celebrating milestones with friends, having a few drinks with work colleagues, or inviting the neighbours over for a summer BBQ. Whatever the occasion may be, when you host a party, there are some things that you should do to keep your guests safe while creating a fun atmosphere. This blog will provide some tips on how to host a great party while covering the responsibilities you have as a host.

Tips for Being a Great Party Host

We can tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have our homes immaculate before the doorbell rings. Sometimes it produces unnecessary stress and doesn’t do all that much to improve our guests’ experience. When you host a party, keep these tips in mind to make the event enjoyable for your guests…and you!

Keep It Simple & Cut Yourself Some Slack. When you host a party, not every detail needs to be picture-perfect and Pinterest-worthy. Focus on doing one aspect well (i.e., a game, decorations, food). Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to do everything flawlessly – it could discourage you from hosting again.

Clean Gathering Areas First. Focus on cleaning important spaces, such as bathrooms and gathering spaces. Odds are, no one is looking at your baseboards and your junk drawer; if you’re pressed for time, those things can wait.

Have Food & Place It Where You Want People to Gather. Whether it’s just chips and dip, a prefab fruit and veggie tray, or fancy, made-from-scratch hors d’oeuvres and desserts, eating is one of the best parts of a party. Be intentional about where you place the food because that’s where people typically gather.

Accept Help! If an invitee offers to bring a dish – take them up on it. If someone shows up a few minutes early and lends a helping hand – yes, please!

Once People Arrive, Enjoy It. When you host a party, focus on enjoying your guests. If they feel as though the party is stressing you out, it might not be all that pleasant for them. Relax and have fun!

When You Host a Party, Take Precautions if Serving Alcohol

If you are intending to serve alcohol at your party, you may be held legally responsible for your guests’ behaviour if alcohol is found to be a contributing factor – even after they leave. When you serve alcohol, here are some tips to reduce liquor liability risks and protect yourself as the host.

1. Before the event, ask a broker about liquor liability insurance for social hosts.
2. Upon arrival, check with guests if they have a designated driver.
3. Offer non-alcoholic drinks and serve food to aid the absorption of alcohol.
4. Switch to coffee, tea, or water at least one hour before you anticipate guests will leave.
5. Arrange ridesharing or cabs for intoxicated guests. Have cash on hand just in case.
6. Don’t be afraid to confiscate keys if you have concerns about someone’s ability to drive safely.
7. Prepare a guest bedroom, couch, or air mattress in case someone needs to stay overnight.

Keep Your Guests Safe When You Host a Party (COVID-19 Precautions)

Everyone has a varying comfort level with gatherings in the pandemic era and kindness always goes a long way. Regardless of your views, the fact is that you could face fines and legal consequences for not following guidelines. We recommend you err on the side of caution by following the public health measures in your region or province. It not only protects you legally, but also protects the well-being of your guests.

Always follow proper food handling safety to reduce the spread of any illness. While guests are serving themselves, encourage proper hand hygiene. You might even consider asking people to wear a mask while grazing at a buffet.

Does Your Home Insurance Cover You When You Host a Party?

You do your best to keep your guests safe and keep things under control while you host a party, but accidents still happen. A simple slip on icy stairs could turn into an injury lawsuit costing you thousands of dollars in legal fees, and medical costs. Fortunately, your home insurance, tenant insurance, or condo insurance includes liability coverage, which protects you if you are found liable for an injury or property damage occurring at your home. Keep in mind that there is a limit to this coverage, and you may need more if you are hosting a larger event.

At BIG, we normally recommend our clients have $2 million in personal liability coverage on their property insurance. Your liability limit is unique to your individual policy, so ask your BIG broker to review your coverage.

Do You Need Event Liability When You Host a Party?

The larger your gathering, the greater chance there is of something going wrong. If you’re hosting a backyard wedding or a family reunion, you might consider getting Event Liability Insurance. Event Liability Insurance offers an increased liability limit for a one-time event. It may also include extra coverage for your property, injuries, damage to rental equipment, etc.

 

As you plan and prepare to host a party, we hope you have a wonderful time with your family, friends, and guests. Let these tips help you plan well, keep your guests safe, and enjoy the fun! If you want to learn more about your property insurance, Event Liability, or Liquor Liability, contact a BIG broker now; we are always here to answer your questions and provide the best industry advice.