Party Time: 14 ultimate party tips for super relaxed hosts

Being a host is a joy… and a great art. Naturally talented people manage private invitations seemingly effortlessly, while others quickly reach their limits. And can hardly enjoy the evening. Experienced hostesses like Laura Jackson and Skye McAlpine know: Guests don't come to have life-changing gastronomic experiences. They want to have fun! Celebrate! And with you. That's why anyone who plans an event should also be most interested in it themselves. Because your own joy is immediately contagious. And that's the perfect start to the evening.

Take your time... The better the evening is prepared, the smoother it will run and the more relaxed the hostess will be. The British super host and cookbook author Skye McAlpine likes to set the table for dinner the evening before. This means you have enough time to cook on dinner day.

Ais not a visit to a restaurant. And no one expects that! Only cook tried and tested foods that are easy to prepare. Ideal: sharing dishes. Various dishes are placed decoratively on large plates and in bowls in the middle of the table. Everyone takes what he or she likes. Another advantage: If there are enough vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives, preferences do not have to be asked in advance.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a set dinner. Only drinks and a full snack board with delicacies from the delicatessen (various types of bread, cheese, cold cuts, chutneys, pickles, nuts, fruit…) make everyone happy. Mono-food themes also work well: cheese and sake,, Swiss cheese fondue, winter BBQ, pizza party (yes, even ordering is completely OK!)…

A good start to the evening: glamorous appetizers. Chips with crème fraîche and caviar (e.g. from Honest Catch) are a wonderfully uncomplicated and luxurious snack for an aperitif.

Of course, champagne always works. But a welcome cocktail or signature drink is also fun. Victoria Beckham, for example, always serves her legendary “Spicy Margaritas”. Important: Not everyone likes wine, don't forget the beer drinkers and non-drinkers. Perfect for everyone: homemade ginger ale or shrubs – tastes good on its own, but also with gin or vodka.

Spectacularly simple and seriously impressive: a Pavlova. With lots of whipped cream and fresh fruit. If you don't dare make cakes yourself, just order the meringues from the bakery. Tastes just as good. And if the Pavlova is served with sparklers and cake fountains, you've won anyway.

Worry less about food. The presentation – and the quality – bring many more compliments. Crispy sourdough bread with whipped butter. Shrimp served in a wreath in the old school way, ice cubes with flowers... Food accounts like @herrlich.dining or @iamlaurajackson provide wonderful ideas.

Thedoesn't have much to offer in terms of flowers. In any case, it is much more sustainable and contemporary to lavishly decorate the table or buffet with seasonal, edible fruit (grapes, figs, pears...) and vegetables (artichokes, black cabbage, tossed cucumbers...). Like the still lifes of the old masters.

Hosting tip from the Olsen Twins: Provide silver trays with cigarettes for party smokers. And if you make your winter balcony cozy with blankets, pillows and candles, you won't have smoke in your apartment.

The perfect decoration for minimalists? Grind! Not only are they ubiquitous in fashion right now - from Celine to Prada - but they are also the most beautiful and festive. Candlesticks, glasses, baguettes, pears or napkins - everything looks enchanting in no time with a bow.

If you don't want to constantly wash up or hire help, you need smart ideas. Different vintage glasses from the flea market are charming and a topic of conversation. Alternatively, you can add personalized bows to glasses at larger celebrations. Or with colorful tassels (e.g. from Lobmeyr) or homemade beaded ribbons.

The US author and restaurateur of “Eleven Madison Park” Will Guidara coined this term in his bestseller of the same name (“Unvernünigunge Gastfreundschaft”, ZS Verlag, 28 euros). It means investing more time and energy than is necessary. Examples? Fill crackers yourself or – like Kate Moss once did – choose a suitable book for each guest.

Less seating than guests - then you'll definitely be dancing quickly!

The interaction of music and food is an art. Too loud, it drowns out intimate conversations; too quiet, it ruins the atmosphere. No time to create a playlist? Professional host Laura Jackson recommends movie soundtracks (e.g. from “Call Me By Your Name”, “Drive”, “One Day” ...) or Spotify playlists (e.g. from “The Row”).