The Perfect House Party Weekend

This is a proposed itinerary for a weekend house party. You can contract caterers for every aspect of the event. However, if I was doing it I would bring food and drinks and cover as much of it as possible to keep costs down, without compromising on the experience. I would hire a house rather than take the hotel approach.

Friday

Guests arrive over the course of the evening, no time pressure. A buffet of snacks and drinks laid out in the kitchen, with the addition of some pizzas ordered in. The logic behind this is that some people will be coming from work and everyone will arrive at different times. Early night, do not encourage people to stay up late drinking as this can ruin the whole weekend. Be a responsible host!

Saturday

A relaxed start. English breakfast in the kitchen with everyone doing their bit. This is a great relationship builder. Bring in local produce from a good local butcher.

10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. A Treasure Hunt around the local area. Nominated drivers, using their own cars. Taxis can be brought in if preferred.

Lunch

An English plowman's lunch, not catered.

2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Outdoor activities. The group is divided into three teams for a lighthearted competition featuring archery, laser clay shooting, and axe throwing. Medals for the winning team (worn with pride!)

Soup and rolls - easy soup in a large tureen - tinned parsnip soup, orange juice (4 to 1 ratio) with curry powder. Served in mugs outside with crusty rolls half way through the afternoon - easy and delicious!

Hip flasks engraved with the occasion and date given to each guest. My plum whisky or plum brandy recipe; three months before the event put an inch of sugar and around a dozen prunes into bottles of spirit. Turn it daily for a week until the sugar dissolves. Store in a cool place, and then decant it into the hip flasks. Legendary! House parties aside, I do this every October for Christmas.

House Party Evening

External caterers brought in for a three course meal, black tie and cocktail dresses, murder mystery with live actors (and presumably one dead one!)

Sunday

Late breakfast, DIY. Relaxing morning to nurse sore heads. Enjoy the house. Many houses have snooker tables and swimming pools. You can move the activities around, so have them on this morning rather than the day before. From experience this is the 'tired morning', and people appreciate a rest before travelling home after lunch.

Picnic lunch with a large statement centrepiece, like a game pie. This can be ordered in advance. In the warmer months this can be enjoyed outside.

Leave at leisure.