An old saying about beasts may come to mind while reading the title of this blog, but make no mistake. I am talking about guests, parties and noise. Parties can certainly be a lot of fun but they can also be noisy affairs. To cut down on this element, plan on having some soft sounds to absorb the noise of rattling dishes, be-bop music, high heeled shoes and shrill laughter, just to name a few. Heavy draperies offer some respite as they muffle noise, as do soft upholstery and dense rugs. Avoid duct tape as a solution because most of your guests won’t like that idea.
One of the biggest “noise culprits” is the television set. People sometimes don’t realize how very loud it can be. Have the kids keep the volume down in the family room while you are entertaining in the living room (or vice versa). A better solution might be earphones. This way the eardrums, that burst will be those belonging to your nearest and dearest, but never your guests!
Put on some quiet music. Load the CD player before your guests arrive so the mood is already set and you don’t have to decide between vintage Frank Sinatra or Celine Dion. Music without words can be even more soothing; consider pianist, George Winston’s music to relax guests. If you want to send your guests home, put on some lullaby. They are sure to get the hint. (I once attended a party where the hostess shut off the lights. Everyone knew it was time to go and barely enough to spare to get your hat and coat.
Music should set the stage but it should never dominate it. For a large party, you might want to hire a musician. The sounds of a tinkling piano, Spanish guitar or harp can set a mood like no other. But if you go that route, only do it for an hour or so because you want conversations to kick in and you don’t want them to compete with the music. Invite all the neighbors so they can’t complain about the noise.
Have a great time!
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