A few small handwritten party signs can help make your house party feel more welcoming to guests.
You’ll also reduce the number of interruptions by over 50%, ensuring that guests will know where the bathrooms are located.
When you use these signs, your guests will think more highly of you! They’ll know that your party is well-structured and well-organized.
My name is Nick Gray, and I'm the best-selling author of the party handbook The 2-Hour Cocktail Party. I've hosted hundreds of parties all over the world, and been featured in the WSJ, The New York Times, and New York Magazine.
Do this first: Walk through the space
Shortly before your party starts, walk through the entire experience you’ll be providing.
Stand outside and come into your party as though you were a guest arriving.
Consider every step. What will your guests see as they arrive? What will they notice?
When you physically walk through the space, you might notice details you otherwise would have missed. Perhaps you forgot to throw some clutter into boxes or you haven’t yet lit your bathroom candle. You may also find ways to make the space more welcoming.
Write your Party Signs
During your walkthrough, think about what areas of your home are non-obvious to party guests. This includes:
- Bathroom location(s), put a “BATHROOM” sign on the outside door
- Trash, put a sign saying “TRASH’ nearby
- Shoes off? Make a simple sign near the front door
- Create a simple “Welcome!” sign to place near your door
Make a few of these handwritten messages to provide directions and motivation to your guests as they approach your party. Tape them somewhere visible: on your mailbox, door, or stairs leading to your home.
My party welcome signs
Here's a photo of actual signs that I've used for my small house parties:
Make these three party signs
Here are the simple signs that I recommend most new hosts create for their house or apartment party:
Welcome sign
This sign can kick start the party energy! It will make your guests feel welcome before you even greet them.
Bathroom location
Guests asking directions for the bathroom can be an unnecessary or embarrassing interruption. Write the word “BATHROOM” or “RESTROOM” on an index card, and tape it to the outside of any bathrooms you’d like your guests to use. Close other doors to areas that are off-limits to party guests.
Trash can and Recycling
By putting up trash signs and instructing guests where and how to properly dispose of their trash, you’ll have a clean party. Trash will not accumulate on the counters, waiting to be thrown away.
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Examples of party signs
Here are a few examples of people who have read my book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, and the signs they used at their party.
Noah Adams’ party signs
Carrie Perreault’s party signs
Emoji party signs
More party signs
Here are some more handwritten signs that people have used. You can see that they're not fancy.
What I'm trying to show you is that these simple signs only take you one or two minutes to create, but they will make your party much better because they will reduce the questions that your guests ask and people will see you as an organized host.
Additional party signs
Please Leave by, Interchangeable Party Hanging Letter Banner Signs
Conclusion
Simple signs like this are an easy way to make your party more friendly and feel more welcome.
Giving people clear boundaries helps them, too.
Identifying the trash and bathrooms goes a long way to making your party a well-run event. People appreciate a host who cares.
Have you put up signs at your party? What were they for? Email me and attach some photos and maybe I’ll update this post with your party signs.
