Friday, December 26, 2008

Throwing The Perfect Party

By Carol Ann

At some time in most of our lives, we have hosted a party that has not been the greatest success. A party is a time for people to get together, eat and drink and have a good time, and it is up to the host to choreograph it so that it actually works. So what makes some parties successful when others are just humdrum? It all comes down to the planning. You will need to consider the theme, the menu, the guest list, and even decorations. There is a fine line, though, between hosting a great party and having an over planned event that isn't a success. Here are some helpful tips for your next great event.

THE GUEST LIST, INVITATIONS & THEME: First you must decide on the theme for the party. It may be a birthday party or a baby shower, or even a murder mystery party. There is a plethora of excellent ideas on the web. Don't overthink it. The guests will be key to your party's success. It is a good idea to invite different people who don't all know each other, so try and mix it up a little bit. They can get to know each other and that will make for good memories. Invitations can be in the form of a small note that is mailed, or these days e-vites over the internet have become very popular, since most have computers.

DECORATIONS & FOOD: Again, be sure to keep it simple. If you get too elaborate, what will happen is you will spend too much time working to pull the party off and not enough time enjoying the party and the people. Finger foods are great for a party. This way everyone can pick as they go. If you are planning a meal, then make it buffet style, this serves for better socialization and you can make some pasta dishes and put them over some sterno to keep them warm while people mingle. This will save you from having to run back and forth to the kitchen. Decorate to the theme, but don't go over board. A nice touch is having something festive in the entry way and in the party room itself. If you over do, once filled with people, they really won't appreciate the hard work you put in. A festive themed centerpiece works great as well as having everyone dress the part. If you do this, your guests themselves will be the decorations, which will save you time and money.

KEEP IT STRUCTURED: Music is an excellent atmosphere enhancer. Choose music that is theme appropriate, yet not too loud. It should be heard, but not necessarily noticed. As host, you will be responsible for breaking the ice by making introductions between those who haven't met. And be prepared for those scary lulls that sometimes happen. Try to have some simple ideas to jump-start the crowd up your sleeve just in case you need to.

All parties should have a scheduled beginning and ending time. The best time to address this is on the invitations. This helps people know what to expect and when it is time to leave. If your party is too long, it will start to drag and you want to it end on an upbeat tone. Making your party about two to four hours long is usually a good formula for success. Overall, the key to success lies in the planning. Consider these ideas and you're sure to pull off a great event.

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