Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
How to be a gracious host
By Kim Bo-eun
By Kim Bo-eun
Party planner Jung Ji-su, Jung studied party planning and became the first in the country to obtain a Ph.D in the field. She currently serves as the president of Incheon Culture and Art College.
For those planning a year-end gathering with loved ones at home, party planner Jung Ji-su provides some practical tips on how to be a courteous host.
“A successful party depends on how you make guests feel. If they feel like you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into making them feel welcome, they will feel comfortable and have a good time,” Jung says.
Give out handwritten invitations
Since the pool of guests for house parties is not too large, you can make and send out hand-written invitations. In the digital era where SNS posts, emails and text messages have replaced traditional invitations, handwritten cards are likely to make guests feel that you care about them.
Decorate/furnish to make guests feel welcome
Your house, where your daily life takes place, is all too familiar. So in order to give it a festive vibe, you need to do some decorating. If you have a theme for your party, it’s helpful to choose symbols and colors and decorate accordingly.
First, you will need a welcoming decoration at the entrance of your home – garlands are a suitable choice for adorning walls and ceilings. The party table is also an area where you can bring out the holiday spirit, by selecting the right linen table cloth, center piece and tableware. Lighting can also do wonders and candles are an easy way to add ambience to your home.
Female guests will appreciate it if you have a separate restroom and make an area that serves as a powder room.
Make guests feel included
For a heart-warming gathering with family members and close friends, Jung suggests incorporating elements that can promote love and friendship. For example, the host could collect photos taken together with the guests during the past year and create a video. Another idea is to have a pot luck party, where members can get the chance to introduce their own dishes and recipes.
Get assistants
As the host, your hands will be full throughout the entire process of planning, preparing, hosting and cleaning up. On the day of the party, you will be busy answering calls, ushering guests in, conducting affairs in the kitchen and so on. Therefore, it’s likely that you will not be able to pay attention to each and every one of your guests. Hence you need to make sure you have assistants that can help out.
Prepare party favors
To be a gracious host, prepare small gifts for each guest as a gesture of thanks for attending. The gifts do not have to be expensive, but should show love and sincerity. For example, you could give out small bottles of jam, or herb pots to each guest, with a little card expressing your gratitude.