How to Plan the Perfect Holiday Party Guest List?
Bryce Sanders, President?
Perceptive Business Solutions Inc.?
Who does not love to entertain at home.? I certainly do.? My wife calls me a party animal.? As the holiday season approaches, she will say: “I know I am going to regret this:? Why don’t we have a holiday party this year?”? She knows if the guest list is up to me, the party will have a cast of thousands.? How do you plan a party guest list??
This article does not look at logistics, invitations or any other details.? The focus is how to determine who you will decide to invite.? Invitations are sent about four or more weeks in advance.? Why?? Because people have other commitments, and they need to be able to plan out their calendars.?
Let us assume you are planning a party with 40+ guests in attendance.? This is a cocktail or drinks party.? There are canapes or munchies, but no sit-down meal.? Space isn’t necessarily an issue.? Ideally you can move larger pieces of furniture into another room.? If you saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) you know Holly Golightly fit an enormous number of people into her walkup apartment!????
- Think in silos.? It’s been said the average American knows about 600 people.? This includes you.? Start by making a list of the contexts where you know people.? This might include the gym, neighbors, work, religious organization and various organizations where you are a member.? Populate each category with names.? This gives you a starting point for the universe of guests for possible invitations.?
- The four person rule.? Years ago, I learned every invited guest should know at least four other people at the party.? This means they have someone to talk with during the evening.? This might be easier than it sounds because they should know you as the host.? That’s a start.?
- Repaying social obligations.? You have been invited to parties.? Other couples invited you to dinner.? You have a list of social obligations where you need to return the courtesy.? These people should be on your list.?
- Vary the backgrounds.? Years ago, we had a party, and everyone was having a good time.? They were all engaged in fluid, animated conversation.? Someone asked me how we put together a group of people who got on so well together.? I waved my arm in a circle and said: “See all these people?? Not a lawyer among them!”? Put another way, when we had a party that included a concentration of lawyers, they set themselves up away from others, talking lawyer stuff.?????
- Invite people you want to get to know better.? You might have met someone at the supermarket.? Maybe a new neighbor moved in.? Add them to the party guest list.? You should have an opportunity to chat a bit, yet you can also introduce them around, so they make new friends too.?
- The “No Soliciting” Zone.? Since my wife and I are active on the nonprofit circuit, we are asked for money by someone or are approaching someone to support our cause.? A party at someone’s home should be a “no soliciting” zone.? You might invite friends you hope will be donors, but don’t bring it up.? The goodwill you build up should get them in the mood to contribute later.?
- Invite people from the service sector.? We know people who own restaurants, work in stores or run local businesses.? Many people don’t include them on their guest lists.? We do.? You might think of the person as a great contractor, but they have a private life too.? This includes enjoying parties as a guest.?
- Invite higher ups.? You might belong to an organization as a regular member.? The group has officers.? You are inviting a few fellow members.? Invite them too.? Years ago, when we had a house in a townhouse development, we invited the art museum chairman to our holiday party.? He and his wife came early in the evening.? He checked out all of our artwork on the walls.? I have a feeling it didn’t quite measure up to museum standards, but he was too polite to say anything.?
It is tempting to invite the same people you see all the time to your party.? It makes sense to cast a wider net.?
Bryce Sanders is president of Perceptive Business Solutions Inc.? He provides HNW client acquisition training for the financial services industry.? His book, “Captivating the Wealthy Investor” is available on Amazon.??
