Whether you’re the host or a guest, guest expert Shawn Gibson wants to make sure your party is a success! Keep these tips in mind when you’re planning for your next get-together.

Host etiquette tips:

Make clear invites: When creating your invitations, make sure you include all necessary information for your guests. Is the party a casual get-together or more formal? What about the attire? It’s better to include more information than less.

Plan ahead: One key to a successful party is to prepare your guest list carefully. Once that’s done, get as much done for the party ahead of time so that you’ll feel relaxed when your guests start arriving.

Keep your shoes on: “You shouldn’t ask anyone to take their shoes off at a party, particularly women,” advises Gibson. “Shoes are a part of their whole look.”

Set the vibe: As soon as your guests first step through the door, the vibe of your party is established. Gibson suggests starting off on the right foot by handing them a glass of champagne or a welcoming cocktail within seconds of their arrival. Music and lighting are also important considerations in setting the mood.

Keep your guests feeling welcome: Beyond making sure your guests are warmly greeted, ensure that they’re made to feel welcome throughout the party. If you notice that a guest has an empty glass or if there’s one person standing alone, remedy the situation quickly and cheerfully.

Be flexible and gracious: No matter how much you plan ahead, sometimes the unexpected happens, be it a failed dessert or an unplanned guest. The ruined dessert? Have a fallback. The uninvited guest? Be gracious and make them feel welcome.

Be considerate of dietary restrictions: Always keep your guests’ dietary concerns in mind when planning your menu. If you’re not sure if any of your guests have allergies, ask when you send out the invitations.

Keep calm:

Give a parting gift: It’s a nice touch to give a simple gift to your guests when they leave, especially if its connected to the party’s theme.

Be appreciative: As you bid your guests good-bye, thank them for coming! And don’t forget to give extra thanks to anyone who brought you a host gift.

Guest etiquette tips:

Always RSVP!: And do it immediately. If you delay your reply, you could hinder the host’s planning and also make it seem as if you’re waiting for something better to come along.  Even if no RSVP has been requested, it’s thoughtful to let your host know if you won’t be able to be there.

Be on time: Even if you’re usually a late person, do put in the extra effort to arrive at or shortly after (approximately 15 minutes) the time stated in the invitation. If you need to arrive later, it’s polite to let your host ahead of time.

Don’t cancel at the last minute: Unless there’s an emergency, don’t make a last-minute cancellation. It’s very inconsiderate to your host.

Bring a practical gift: Unless you really know your host’s taste, come bearing something useful, not decorative. Wine or flowers are always good fail-safes, but if you’re looking for something more creative, check our list of 5 creative host gift ideas.

What’s your must-remember tip for party hosting? What do you always keep in mind when attending a party as a guest? Share your tips in the comments!