TIPS FOR ACHIEVING PERFECT MINGLING

Put somebody in charge

Either take it upon yourself, delegate to a friend (or mother), or even hire somebody – just don’t assume party planning ends when guests walk through the door. Somebody needs to keep oiling the wheels.

Do your research

Giving a little thought to who might get on with whom on your guest list doesn’t take much, and there’s no excuse in the age of social media, either. Most people’s entire CV, life story and tastes are publicly accessible. So do some matchmaking in advance.

Keep it moving

Think of your party like a shark: if it doesn’t keep moving, it’ll die. For the best atmosphere, people will be chopping and changing conversation partners throughout the evening. Too much of this and it ends up like speed dating, but the right amount makes or breaks a function.

Look out for strays

It’s been 37 years since Jona Lewie’s seminal loner anthem You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties, but shy, awkward individuals are still hanging around the dips to avoid introducing themselves. Keep an eye out for them and act: speak to them, then use your knowledge of the room and take them to somebody they’ll hit it off with.