"Sure, this is my first Fantasia party, but I know how to throw a party. People love my parties."

While this is likely true, a Fantasia party is a bit different than most regular parties. When you book your Fantasia Home Party, I will send you an information package that will contain some information you may find useful in organizing your party. Also, the package will contain customer specials and product information that will help your guests think about what purchases they may want to make.

"I'm not inviting Betty - she's a prude."

The more people who attend your party, the more fun everyone will have, and you become more likely to earn product credit and bonuses as the host. Start by making a list of everyone you know. It may sound funny, but be sure to include people that you don't think would be interested in Fantasia. I have presented over 1500 Fantasia parties, and often it is the person the host didn't expect to show up that ends up having the most fun. Making a complete list has two benefits:
(1) When you invite someone, you let that person decide whether to come to the party; but when you don't invite someone, you've made the decision yourself. In other words, Betty certainly won't come to your party if you don't invite her.
(2) By starting out with a complete list, you are much less likely to forget anyone.

"I'm so glad I was clever enough to secure the date I wanted by booking my party three months in advance. That gives me three months to think about inviting people."

Trust me on this - invite your guests immediately after you book your party. The more notice you give your guests, the more likely they are to show up. Just as you need to plan to host the party, they will need to plan to attend. If you can have the party on their calendars well in advance of the party date, then your guests can plan other activities around that date and you are more likely to have your guests attend. Often, the host who asks ‘How could so few people have showed up - I booked the party months ago,' is the same host who started calling guests a week before the party.

"I want to keep it casual so I'll call a bunch of people and tell them to just show up whenever they want. The more the merrier - just BYOB."

While the goal of your party is to have fun, it is nevertheless important that all your guests are present when the presentation starts. Inviting guests to drop in during the presentation distracts from the presentation and makes the party take longer. If possible, try to secure a firm yes or no from those you invite and encourage them to show up before the presentation starts. Note also that while too few guests can take away some of the fun, likewise too many guests may cause distractions, either because of the mood of the crowd or the physical limitations of the space where the party is held. It's best to have a firm idea of exactly who is coming and have them show up on time.

"I've invited everyone I want, but not everyone was able to commit. How can I find more guests?"

If some of the people you've invited are unable to commit and you fear that your party will need more than just your confirmed guests in order to be successful, the best thing to do is let your committed guests know that they are welcome to bring a friend. In addition to boosting your guest list, this has some additional benefits - your confirmed guest may feel more at ease knowing another friend will be coming along, and you may get to meet some people outside of your usual social circle.

"I've been to a Fantasia party before, so I'm sure everyone knows how it works."

Your job as host is to make sure everyone knows how your Fantasia party will work. Be sure to tell them to show up on time so they do not miss or interrupt the presentation. Also, it is very important that you tell your guests about our cash and carry policy ("pay tonight, play tonight") so that they can be ready to make their purchase right at your party with cash, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Interac Debit Card (sorry - we cannot accept personal cheques). Also, be sure to tell them that I can accept up to $5 each in Canadian tire money. It is very important that you as host let your guests know that they can pay for their purchases at the party and be provided with their products on the spot.

"I invited everyone two months ago when I booked the party. I'm sure everyone remembers that the party is tomorrow night."

Maybe they will remember, but it's best to call everyone on your guest list again a few days before the party to confirm that they will be coming. If it turns out one of your guests won't be able to make it, then you can invite someone else on short notice. Attendance at parties is always higher when the host calls each guest to confirm.

"My sister wanted to come to our Fantasia party, but she won't be able to make it because she has to work. Oh well, maybe there will be another party sometime."

Don't forget that your hostess information package will contain Product Information brochures along with a guide explaining how to take orders - you can put in an order for anyone who can't make it to the party. Such outside orders count toward the total of your hostess credit the same as in-party sales. And of course, don't forget to tell your sister and anyone else who may be interested that she can shop online anytime by visiting the store on our website. (link)

"I'm so excited about my party - I have supplies for five different types of cocktails, and I'm going to prepare plenty of snack trays and fruit trays for everyone to enjoy."

You sound like a wonderful hostess, but you will enjoy your Fantasia Home Party more if you aren't busy entertaining, and your guests will not become distracted to refill drinks or replenish snacks. We ask that guests not eat or drink anything during the presentation - the flavours will interfere with the edible samples that will be passed around. Likewise, food residue on fingers can stain our lingerie displays. But don't worry, after the presentation portion, there will be plenty of time to eat, drink, and be merry while I am meeting with individual guests in the private sales room.