What constitutes as a “good party” can vary based on the party-goers personality, expectations, and ability to socialize. It can also depend on the purpose of the event: one may act more buttoned up and professional at a corporate holiday party versus their best friend’s surprise birthday party. In reality, there isn’t any one right way to host an event, but there are things you can do to make your private party memorable, whether it’s a large networking event or an intimate private gathering. With over 15 years experience hosting events in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, we have procured a list of our favorite ways to raise the private party bar!
If You Feed Them, They Will Come
Who doesn’t like a good, free meal? Creating a thoughtful menu for your guests can be one of the best ways to win them over. Even if you don’t have the budget for a sit-down, plated menu dinner, or indulgent food stations, providing sustenance for your guests will help keep the energy of the event high, and the bellies of your guests happy. Keeping things on the light side? Consider small, but delicious tray-passed apps. You don’t have to commit to a full meal, just enough to take the hunger edge off. We’ve thrown a lot of events, and it’s always the ones with good food and drinks that get the most praise. At all our RMD Group venues, we take food very seriously, and we design menus that are inclusive of all our clients’ needs. When created your menu, don’t forget to include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options if you know you have guests with dietary restrictions.
Keep Their Spirits High
Let’s face it, a little alcohol can help jump start any party! One of our favorite things to do is team up with one of our talented mixologists to create a personalized cocktail specifically for our events. We work with our clients to develop a fun name and choose key spirits their guests will like. Having a welcome cocktail greeting guests as they arrive is a perfect way to make a good impression. Don’t want to serve alcohol? No problem…you can still serve a fun and fancy mocktail that will be just as impressive as the real thing!
Add An Activation
Brand Activations are a relatively new term in the event world. An activation is anything a brand or sponsor does to help enhance guests’ experience. This can be anything from a cigar rolling station to a tequila tasting table. Activations are not only good for the brands participating, but they give your guests a different way of connecting and engaging. Some of our favorite activations included Game of Thrones at Volcano Rabbit, Bumble at Side Bar, and Airbnb’s Garden Party at Rustic Root!
Take Them By Surprise
Most guests have some expectation as to what the event they are attending will be like. So why not throw in a fun surprise? Perhaps it’s a special performance, an activity, or even just a profoundly good time! Our RMD Events team knows how to up the ante with special treats that will keep your guests entertained as well as impressed with the level of planning that went into the event!
A Gift To Remember You By
Creating an environment where everyone has a good time is important. Offering a gift for guests to take home is the cherry on top of the fun-day. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive, just something for your guests to remember their experience at your party. Our favorite gift was an activity and gift all wrapped up in one. At Rustic Root, we set up a succulent station where guests were able to pick, pot, and plant their very own succulent to take home. Not only was it a hit, it also added to the décor of the party!
If you’re sick of Pinterest and Google, and want help coming up with even more ideas on how to take your event to the next level, reach out to us. We’re happy to help you plan your next holiday party or private event!
To find out more about RMD Group Events and how we can help plan your holiday party, click here.
To book an event or private party at any RMD Group venue, click here.