I think there are Two tips to being a consummate hostess.

The first is the more obvious: To state it simply, I would say it would be to Plan Ahead. That includes: 

Choose a theme;

Select a dish that you make well, and one that can be made ahead (except for baking, say) such as a vegetarian lasagne or a fish dish;  

Shop ahead;

Set the table ahead;

Select and organize your music ahead;

Buy and arrange flowers ahead;

Stock your bar ahead;

Give yourself time to have a relaxing bath before your guests arrive;

Light candles, open the wine, and greet your guests! 

If you are having a good time, your guests will have a good time.

Now, the second tip is this: Keep your eyes and ears open. It is your responsibility as a hostess to keep the conversation flowing. If a guest talks too long about something - goes on and on - we’ve all experienced that - jump in and save your other guests. Say something like, "We’d all love to hear more about Dave’s fishing trip later, but right now I’m sure we’d love to hear about Emily’s recent trip to Italy!" …    

I’ve never hosted anything other than some parties at my house. I believe in kicking out some good rock-and-roll. And I avoid inviting heavy boozers, as they can ruin things for everyone.

I’ve been to thousands of parties, though, going back to college daze. I’ve seen some amazing things. At one bash off-campus at CMU, there were so many people in the living room at a buddy’s house, the floor collapsed. It just sunk! End of bash. I guess the next day, rather than telling the landlord, they crawled under the lattice and used tire irons to jack it up!

At a party in June 1978, I ended up on the roof of the house. It wasn’t supposed to be a party, at all. My sister invited a couple of her friends over, and word got around (incorrectly) that we were having a party, and a crowd of about 60 showed up - along with the police, three hours later. No arrests, but an abrupt halt to things. My parents weren’t too impressed when they came home from bingo that night around 11pm!

I hang around some chums in a 1960’s-style band, The Concussions, and they sometimes have me into them or speak to the crowd. I’m usually pestered until I give an extended rock-and-roll scream. Last Friday, guitarist Tommy thought it would be funny (for some reason), if he told the crowd that Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was in the crowd. I don’t think I look like Stan, but I do have a mustache.

Anyway, after a tune, Tommy tells the crowd, "We have a special guest here, all the way from Orlando. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Stan Van Gundy (applause)." I felt embarrassed, but walked up to the mike. Tommy then said into the microphone, "Now, Stan, I want you to say in one word - just one word - how you feel about today’s event." And then I screamed my bloody head off. The crowd chucked and cheered, and off the stage I went. That’s the kind of folks I party with. They’ve got to have a sense of humor.

#1. Know your guest and what there likes and dislikes are

#2. Have the appropriate drinks for your guest, if any of your guest are in a recovery program make sure you have no acholol in the house and provided the drinks appropriate for the occasion

 #3. depending on the season make foods accordingly

#4.  have music that is right for the party, for kids, the latest and greatest, for adults the oldies but goodies (for me that’s the 70’s music, I’m a big Jackson 5, Osmond, Three Dog Nite, B.J.Thomas, Helen Ready, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Seals and Croft, Simon and Garnfunkel, James Taylor, NEIL DIAMOND and BILLY JOEL.)  you get the picture.

#5. have a theme, and I always like to have a gift for each person in accordance to the theme

#6. if booze is involved take keys and have sleeping arrangements for those who can not drive home

#7. most important of all HAVE FUN