The Party Personality Survey
Before planning a party, let’s determine what party style fits your personality. Let’s have a check-up! Take a quick 5 question survey to determine your party pulse!
1. What is your party style?
- Casual and relaxed
- Somewhat decorated
- Elegantly choreographed
A party style is basically the way you go about entertaining your guests when you have a party. Your style can be casual or formal, it can be elegant or relaxed, it can be structured or free-flowing, … – anything that you are comfortable with! Your party style may also be dictated at times by the nature of the event, the guest list, the theme of the party, the location or venue, and the ambiance.
2. Planning around a theme. Do you need a party theme?
- Never! What is a theme?
- I try to follow one but don’t always get it.
- Themes are the way to go!
Often a party is planned around a theme. Having a theme makes planning easier and makes it more fun. You can incorporate the theme, for example, into the invitations, party decorations, party menu, and the party favors. Having a theme makes the party planning process more exciting and your guests will enjoy the unifying elements in the party decor, as well as the other aspects of the party. However, having a theme is not a prerequisite for a successful party. Sometimes, parties that are impromptu, without much advance planning, are the most fun simply because everyone is relaxed (your guests can feel the tension!) and the hosts are not stressed trying to get everything “just perfect”.
3. Do you enjoy a large crowd or would you prefer more intimate parties?
- Small and cozy. I don’t like crowds.
- Not too big, but just enough so I don’t get bored.
- The bigger the better, the more the merrier!
Some people enjoy entertaining large crowds while others prefer, for example a quiet, intimate dinner for four. Make sure you invite the number of people to your party that you are comfortable with and don’t let someone else influence your decision. You are the host! Obviously if you are limited in space, you would also need to take this factor into consideration when planning your party.
4. Black Tie or Country Hoe Down? What would you wear?
- Give me sweats and jeans any day!
- TGIF! I like casual Fridays!
- My hand bag and shoes have to match at all times.
Do you enjoy entertaining in a structured, formal way where everything is choreographed and timed or would you rather feel more comfortable at an informal gathering where pretty much anything goes? Do you enjoy getting “dolled up” for the evening or would you rather just hang out with close friends at home over a few beers?
5. Martha Stewart or Paris Hilton? Which one are you?
- The party planning always starts with a day at the salon and spa…
- As long as there is food and drinks, the party is ready…
- Planning starts 1 month before with the party time line planned to the last minute.
Do you enjoy the entire party planning process, from designing and creating your own invitations, to making your own gourmet food and party favors or would you rather call in the caterers and event planners? Not everyone is a natural hostess, is comfortable with all the aspects of the party planning process, or feel at ease being the socialite for the evening. Some of us may be talented bakers, but not be able to make a meal. Others are excellent hostesses but get flustered during the party planning process. It doesn’t matter if we are not “perfect” and can’t do everything ourselves. Where we fall short, we can always find ways to make it work. Whether we have to hire service for post-party clean ups, have Aunt Lucy make her signature meatballs, get a caterer, have a friend make a birthday cake, or purchase ready-to-serve foods for our party, the point is to forget about our insecurities and just have fun!
Although Martha started out doing all the aspects of entertaining herself, we also know that she now has an incredibly talented staff to help her. Now if we had looks and legs like Paris Hilton, we would be all set!
The Results: Your Party Pulse
All question 1 = 1 point, question 2 = 2 points, and question 3 = 3 points.
Add up your scores and compare below.
Party Pulse Score 0 to 7 points – Kewl as a Cucumber
You are like a sea breeze and cool as a cucumber as far as parties are concerned. Nothing seem to bother you and at your place, the parties never end! There are always friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances over for one function or another. People feel comfortable coming over and being in your company. For your personality, potluck dinners and byob parties are the best!
Party Pulse Score 8 to 12 points – Balance With Style
You are the perfect medium and strike a balance in your party planning style. You like to have a beautifully decorated room but know that not all china have to match or if there is not enough seating, that buffet style is OK too. Guests enjoy your parties because they are well-thought out and are touched by your efforts and thoughtfulness. Focus on Themed Parties where you can tie in the food with the decor, like Cultural Themed Parties, such as a Spanish Themed Party with Spanish Paella Rice, Tapas, and warm colors like reds, oranges and black in your table decor.
Party Pulse Score 13 or more points – The hostess Extraordinaire
You are THE hostess with the mostess! Guest look forward to your parties all year long, knowing that they are far and few in between! When the day comes, they can hardly wait to see what you have in store for them that evening! You never seem to come up with the same ideas, and one party is always better than the next! Your theme parties are elegant and well thought out. Attention has been paid to the minutest details. Formal themes like a Hollywood Oscar Party, Black Tie, or a Masquerade Ball are perfect themes that suit your personality! On the day of the party, don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself!
So there you have it! What is your party pulse?
