The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings

But when you have fifteen people in your home and everyone is talking at the same time, you’ll appreciate how easy and smooth a harmonica makes it to get people’s attention.

3. Announce the first icebreaker. Say that you’ll go first. Ask

Sometimes being vulnerable and honest with your core group helps. You can share your desire to be a better host as a more transparent reason why you’re hosting a party.

Start at 7:00 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m.

For your first party, title it “Cocktails and Icebreakers Party.” This type of title cements the expectation that there’ll be structure to the gathering.

Cocktail parties will give you the same or even better relationship-building results than dinner parties because you can do them more often and you can invite more people. The impact is the same and the conversations are often livelier. Keep it simple and don’t do dinner.

For your first party, aim for fifteen confirmed guests.

At the party, do these four things: Use name tags with first names only. Facilitate three quick icebreakers. Take a group photo. End the party on time.

Over-inviting is a natural part of party planning. If you want fifteen people to come to your party, you’ll need to invite twenty to thirty people total.