Hosting Small Intimate Gatherings Is the New Black
Hey beautiful people,
One of my goals this past year was to host small and intimate gatherings for a few reasons:
- To connect better with people on a deeper level
- Because I love hosting parties and hanging out with people
- Less noise more conversation
Since setting that goal, I have had about three parties, a Galentines Day, Hotel Party, and Wine Party. They were all so much fun in their own ways. However, I should have done more!
We all live such busy lives and have a regualr schedule. Most likely that schedule consists of work, preparation for work, family, food, church and so much more. In my mind, I am like time is money… but I am realizing that time, you can’t get it back so make sure it is of value.
My class is reading the parable about a business man and a fisherman… business man is consumed with working and working to make more money so you can work some more. The fisherman is concerned with just making enough to support their family and enjoy life at the same time. I believe no one is wrong here… it is about what you prefer… but the one that is closest to my philosophy is the fisherman. Although, I am far from rich and pretty much in debt due to student loans, I have come to understand that I will probably always have debt but I won’t always have the people I love in present.
My latest wine party confirmed why I prefer small and intimate gatherings compared to large and loud ones. I had to sit back and reflect on why this was so fulfilling compared to me hanging out at a club or even a lounge.
I remember going to an event with my friend, a lounge with live music! Music was phenomenal but I had so many issues where it made me struggle with fully enjoying it!
One they said it was free and I got there, then we had to wait 45 minutes out in the summer Texas heat and when we got to the front, they said it is not free anymore. We needed to be in by a certain time. I was pissed…
Then trying to find somewhere comfortable to sit, with people bumping you and all the “reserved tables” you cannot sit at.
You head to the bar for a drink and of course they are understaffed and irritated and of course OVERPRICED! Meanwhile, I can’t hear my girl talking but can see her getting harrassed and literally chased and grabbed on by some creepy dude… it’s so frustrating!
So now, I am all for small intimate gatherings. Come to my cute little apartment or I will come to yours!
5 Reasons to Host Small Intimate Gatherings than Large Loud Parties.
People can be heard-When I had my small wine party, i heard everyone’s voice; we heard their truth. No one was ostrasized or made to feel to small. Too many voices can lead to people in the corner or those that takeover a conversation and neither are great!
Quality over quantity– Sure you can have so many people and maybe that is your goal but if you want something more meaningful and to be able to connect with people, less is more. You will be able to deliver more quality conversations, activities and more.
Quiet and Intimate spaces are more exciting– Clubs are so overareated, brunch spots are so overrated, overpriced and LOUD! Get a small space where you can control the music… 🙂
Tailored and lasting experiences– Each event I host has a theme or a purpose which helps with creativity and eliminates boredom. Share that event and those that is connects with, they will come. I cannot stand just going to a party with no purpose. The wine party was themed black girl magic because we were featuring a wine. My galetines day party was for single ladies that wanted to hang out and pay games.
Exclusive vibe– Sure you can have a million people at your place and probably only at the bare minimum greet them at the door and that is it. Being invited to those type of parties seems liek you were seeing who would show up and not exclusinly wanting me there.
5 Tips On Hosting Intimate Gatherings
- Have a theme– Galentines, 80’s etc! Be creative!
- Send personal invites or talk to them directly
- Send previews… if youadded them to a group or a chat, send photos of preparation to get them exicted
- Personalize it– As part of their gift, they were given an exclusive gift. This could have their name on it or the theme of the party.
- Get their buy in– Sometimes you will have to charge and that is ok… Don’t you hate when people RSVP and you buy all this food and half the people show up? Go ahead and charge for the event and like in tip 4, give them an exclusive gift and let them know what they will be getting with their “ticket”
Stay tuned for the next article, Bougie On A Budget: Hosting Intimate Parties.
Thanks for reading! What questions or thoughts do you have about intimate parties?
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