Take a Movie’s Advice is a weekly column attempting to discover the similarities between our favorite movies and real life. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show. 

Ever dreamed of throwing the perfect party? I know I have. But with all of the planning details – decorations, invitations, food, music, and more – who has time and talent to make sure this social gathering is one that’s enjoyable for both the host and the guests?

Look no further because this week, we are going to journey back to the 1920s era and learn from Jay Gatsby, along with his incredibly lavish lifestyle.

The Great Gatsby, written by author F. Scott Fitzgerald, has had many different film adaptations, but for this week, let’s dive into the 2013 film directed by Baz Luhrmann. 

Here’s the gist in case you aren’t familiar – Nick Carraway (Tobey McGuire) finds himself in West Egg, a world of extravagant parties and larger-than-life occurrences. Behind all of this is Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DeCaprio), who maintains a mysterious demeanor in the height of the Roaring Twenties. It is later explained that Gatsby mainly hosts these fancy parties in hopes that a certain Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) will attend. 

Interested in seeing how Gatsby threw the parties of the century? Check out five ways to be the perfect host below. 

(Want to see the movie before reading further? You can stream the 1974 film on Netflix or purchase the 2013 film on DVD here.)

Table of Contents

1. Plan the guest list. 

We’ve all heard someone say, “The more the merrier!” Keep in mind that depending on the event you’re planning, that may not always be the case. However, you can still curate a solid guest list for the most fun possible party.