Agonizing over the guest list for your next girlfriend get-together? It can be very stressful figuring out which square-pegged friends will connect with the usual round-hole favorites. Maybe Alice from the office won’t mesh well with Sophie from down the block. But, it’s your party and it’s hard not to include all those women that you think are great in some way.  We at GirlfriendCelebrations.com feel your pain and have come up with a few helpful tips to make compiling your next guest list a breeze.

1.  Plan your list so that everyone has already met at least one other person at the party. This will help put the newbies to your group at ease. 

2.  Include those friends who will be most excited the about the party theme.  If you are having an Accessory Swap, for example, be sure to invite your fashionista girlfriend. If it’s a Green Girlfriends Party, be sure to include your eco-chic friend. When the guests are excited about the idea of the party, the enthusiasm will quickly catch on. Your friends will be happy even before they step in the door and spread the cheer to others. 

3.   Create a balanced blend.  Try to have a balance of new and old friends, or work friends and neighborhood friends, for example. This will give everyone an opportunity to talk about the old stuff and mix it up with new dialogue. Don’t invite one new friend to a party where everyone else goes way back. Awkward!

4. Learn the art of introductions. Part of being a gracious hostess is properly introducing people to one another. This is important, and all too easy to forget once the doorbell starts ringing and the cosmos start clinking. Rohit Rohila points out that “When you introduce two people, what you really want to do is build a relationship.” Check out his great article here with specific tips for what YOU can say to help your guests get to know each other. 

5. If all else fails, don’t sweat the small stuff.  If you planned a balanced guest list and made helpful introductions, then, you’ve done your job. Everyone is responsible for their own happiness.  If your guests choose to have fun at your party, they will!

Still concerned about the deafening sound of silence at your party? Think your friends might feel conversationally challenged? Here are a few products GirlfriendCelebrations reader Carolyn suggested for starting conversations. These are great to use as ice-breaker activities or keep in your back pocket just in case:  

 

• Table Topics for Girls Night Out
• The Girls Night or Girlfriends Box Of Questions from The Box Girls.

Both provide cute little cards with conversation starters you can scatter on tables, partner up with, or use for large-group discussions. See which one you like best!

Share your party planning tips with us by using the comment form below.  We would love to hear them!