The ingredients to a successful shindig are as vast and
vibrant as the pantry of an experienced gourmet chef. Having all the right
elements within arm’s reach is not always a recipe for success though (simply
reference the LA Lakers 2013 roster or your roommates cooking). In the right
season and with a carefully crafted context, bringing a good mix of people
together can create a memorable affair. Like any form of art, becoming a master
is a process that usually starts with appreciating the tradition. The execution
is not necessarily about following a set of rules but more about malleability
and the willingness to be a student. Bringing people together for a festive
occasion is equal parts art, and science. That being said, here are a few of
the idiosyncrasies in cooking up a plan for social gatherings:
· To show people they are valued,
be personal. How many people actually read their Facebook event invitations?
The medium is the message for invitations, so hunker down and leave some time
for face-to-face invites, phone calls or personalized texts.
· Celebrate the small victories.
When the big ones come along you will then be well versed and know exactly what
to do.
·
Expectations will rarely ever
equal reality and that is a good thing. Make sure the important details are
taken care of, but leave space for the carefully selected variables to unfold
on their own. It is a good idea (especially for type-A personalities) to make
up some creative contingency plans, beforehand.
· Try to invite a vast array of
personalities, and get outside of the norm. The common experience is more
relatable when there are more flavours available.
· In the “I” generation of pods,
pads, and phones, music is a highly contentious sacred realm for many. Do the
best to mitigate this conflict by finding some casual background music, or
friends who are musical to play some tunes. This will prevent a night of
45-second song shuffles.
These
tidbits might not really be for you. Everyone has different tastes. A master
sushi chef is of very little dining relevance to a person who does not like
fish. I know some people would rather be drawn and quartered than have the
responsibility of being a social facilitator, but I encourage trying to step
out and finding the groove that works for you. Just remember, keep an open
dialogue, keep honing your tastes and most importantly keep it classy.
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