| Planning a successful party isn't as easy as it seems. | | | | very much together. It sounds silly but the food |
| Most think it's just a guest list, a bowl of punch, | | | | should be part of the decorations. If you're throwing |
| some decorations, some music and the party just | | | | a theme party (like an 80's party), you'll want to |
| takes care of itself. It's nice to think that way, but a | | | | present the food, and provide food, according to |
| successful party takes a lot of work. Do you want a | | | | that theme. But even if there is no theme, present |
| party people will tell others about? Do you want a | | | | your food well. Coordinate it with the decorations, or |
| party that makes everyone who didn't come insanely | | | | the décor; whatever your tastes are. Some |
| jealous? Do you want a party that makes people | | | | like to hang streamers and blow up balloons, while |
| crave the next time you stage a get together? You | | | | others just like to clean the house and keep |
| can have all of that, but you're going to have to do a | | | | everything as it is. Both will work, but make sure the |
| little work. | | | | food goes with whatever decorations you decide on. |
| The Guest List | | | | Your guess will definitely notice. |
| The first thing you'll want to do is consider who you | | | | Entertainment |
| want to invite to the party. This is trickier than it | | | | This is the most important part. You want to bring |
| seems. Many people have friends and acquaintances | | | | people together. You'll want music, so maybe people |
| that differ greatly from each other. For example, you | | | | will dance. You'll maybe want a karaoke machine once |
| may want to invite your relatives, your friends and | | | | people get comfortable. But for your entertainment |
| your co-workers to the same party. Do those three | | | | to be effective, you have to get people loosened up. |
| groups of people have anything in common? Will the | | | | Alcohol works great for this, but if you have a party |
| three groups mingle with the others or will each | | | | of teetotalers, no worries. Get up there and make a |
| group stick to their own social pod? This is what you | | | | fool of yourself on the karaoke machine, or invite |
| have to consider when making the guest list. That | | | | crazy people who you know have no inhibitions to |
| isn't to say you can't invite a mixed crowd. The | | | | get the others loosened up. Introduce everyone to |
| parties with mixed crowds, done correctly, are some | | | | everyone else and try to find things in common that |
| of the best parties. But you must coordinate your | | | | they can talk about. |
| other efforts to ensure whoever you invite has as | | | | Once you have everything set, and people start to |
| much fun as possible. | | | | arrive, you cannot relax. You're the host. Constantly |
| Food and Decorations | | | | stock the food, pour the drinks, work the room and |
| Normally, you'd talk about food, and then you'd talk | | | | enjoy yourself. Your guests certainly will. |
| about decorations. But in all actuality, the two go | | | | |