Do you really want to have fun? Throwing a party is a great way to celebrate life and have fun with your friends! Learn how to prepare your party theme, the provisions (such as food and drinks) you will need, and the activities to do. Read the first step now to start planning a great party and create memories you won't forget!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Organize Who, What, When, Where and Why
Step 1. Think about why you are hosting the party
Do you have to celebrate a birthday, or a holiday (for example: New Year's Eve, Halloween), or do you just want to gather your friends on a Friday night? Aspects to consider for every reason: the age of the guests, the decorations, the clothing theme, the place, the food, the drinks, who you should invite and the number of people.
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Birthday parties:
Some examples of important birthdays to celebrate: 10-12, 16, 18, and 21.
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Festivity:
These holidays are held close to a national holiday. New Year's Eve, Carnival, Halloween are the most important occasions to celebrate with a big party!
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After-party:
An after-party is a party organized after a concert or show.
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Singles parties:
These are for singles ready to meet other people!
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Sports parties:
Generally they are organized on the day of an important sporting event, or in the period of sporting seasons.
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House parties:
These are simple gatherings of friends to do at home, with no particular theme. Usually, they are organized on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Step 2. Age of the guests
Whatever type of party you organize, it is important to take into account the age limit and the set-up. For example, a birthday party for 16 years is very different from a party for singles, or a New Year's party. When you organize a party for under 18s, create a simple atmosphere, without sexual references and with lots of activities to do. Better still, organize the party in places intended for the entertainment of teenagers, such as amusement parks, arcades, pizzerias, etc.
The age of the participants is decisive. The younger the guests, the fewer they should be (imagine a party with 20 8-year-olds!) And the shorter the party will be
Step 3. Think about the place
Consider where it will be held based on its theme. Some options: your home, a friend's house, an outdoor place, a bar / club, restaurant, etc.
- If you want to have a party at home, make sure your neighbors don't have a problem with loud music, or having a lot of people around.
- If you are organizing a party in other places, such as bars, clubs, restaurants, amusement parks, or any place run by other people, call ahead to book and request information.
Step 4. The guest list
Make sure you invite your closest friends before acquaintances. If you are organizing a large party, offer guests the option of coming with another person, whom you may not even know. Although not meeting a new guest can be a bit risky, it is an opportunity to make new friends.
If your family is coming to the party too, invite only your closest friends (unless your family members are around the same age as you); in this way you will not risk having to explain the guests to your grandmother
Step 5. Determine the maximum number of people you want to invite
Unless you know a lot of people, attendance at your party will be limited, so you won't have to worry about it. If, on the other hand, you know many people, for example 30, or, if you have decided to allow guests to bring another guest with them, try not to exceed 30 guests. Parties with multiple people are usually difficult to manage. If you prefer, you can ask your closest friends to help you with the management.
The bigger your party, the more help you will need - especially if you have to take care of everything from food to drinks to entertainment. Ask friends to help you with the set-up and cleaning, or ask each guest to bring something so you don't have to pay big bills alone
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Organize the Party Supplies
Step 1. Decide if the party will have a theme or not
Themed parties put guests at ease and help socialize. Sometimes, in fact, when you don't know what to wear, guests can feel slightly uncomfortable. Plus, themed parties are a lot of fun! If you're throwing a holiday party, ask your guests to dress accordingly. Other common themes can be: the 80s, the Greeks, black and white, masquerade, jungle / Amazon and Western.
If you are over 18, you can also throw a 'sexy' costume party
Step 2. Plan your food
Usually, junk food is served at parties, which is sugary, starchy, salty, cheap and easy to make. Among the most common foods: cakes, ice cream, chips and sauces, candies, cookies and cupcakes. You can choose the food according to the theme of the party. Be creative!
For many, holidays are occasions to dress elegantly. If you're planning a more formal event, none of the foods listed above will do. Serve appetizers with delicate cheeses, bread and vegetables for an elegant evening
Step 3. Don't forget the drinks
Often, when going to a party, the most popular drinks are thought to be beer and hard liquor. However, do not limit the offer. Also get some fruit punches, water, and different types of fizzy drinks. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, beer is the cheapest choice; consider buying a barrel based on the number of people. Plus, you'll cut down on the amount of trash (if you've had other parties before, then you know how unpleasant it is to collect beer cans around the house). Also buy spirits for cocktails, wine and soft drinks.
If there is alcohol at the party, know that your guests are your responsibility. You will need to make sure there are sober drivers to drive the guests home. Be prepared to remove your car keys if necessary. Prepare plenty of water and other soft drinks to encourage people to drink less
Step 4. Buy the decorations
These are always based on the theme of the party. You can find some very nice ones, and they are not very expensive, in specialized party shops, or on the internet. Try to embellish the environment very well especially if your party is themed. The more, the better. If your guests feel like they're in the jungle or they're back in the 80's, they'll have even more fun.
If your home is difficult to reach, also buy signs to give directions. Balloons and banners are very visible; you could also get some torches or lights to illuminate the entrance to the house
Step 5. Prepare your provisions
So, you've got food, drinks, and decorations, what's missing?
- For starters, you'll need containers to store food and keep drinks cool. Place large amounts of food on trays, bowls or plates for guests to easily serve themselves.
- Your drinks should remain fresh and easy to access. Get a large bowl filled with ice to keep your drinks cool. Leave bottled liqueurs behind a counter for easy adjustment and management. If you can, also get a wine cooler to keep it cool.
- If you have a keg of beer, ask a friend to take turns to help you serve the guests.
- Now, get some paper or plastic cups, bowls, and plates. Do not use valuable pottery, because they WILL BREAK.
- Purchase plastic knives, forks, and spoons to easily recycle along with the rest at the end of the party.
- Among other materials: a large garbage can, or a separate collection bin for larger items; and 1 or 2 large buckets filled with water to dispose of cigarettes (otherwise your guests will throw the butts on the ground in the garden, or even in the house), or large ashtrays.
Step 6. Plan activities
Upon arrival, guests will be amazed by your attire and the choice of food, drinks and decorations; but they will want to have something to do after the welcome. Here are some activities to get the party started:
- Billiards (if you have a pool table)
- Target for the game of darts
- A ping-pong table
- A table for the beer pong game
- Music and a great area for dancing
- If you have a swimming pool or whirlpool, keep them clean and active.
- There are many other activities to do that do not require any equipment (games, etc.). Keep them in reserve if the party takes a hit.
Step 7. Choose the right music
One of the most important questions you might ask yourself is: what music to put on during the party? You can hire a DJ, or ask an experienced friend to worry about the music, especially if there are many guests; however, since the invention of the iPod and computers you can be the DJ for the evening! Through iTunes you can play the music through speakers connected to your computer, or, if your stereo is compatible, you can connect your iPod in the same room where the party is held.
Think about the kind of music that all your guests might like. Alternatively, change the type of music throughout the evening to keep everyone happy. Typical party music styles include: rap, hip-hop, dance, electro, house; basically any rhythmic music to dance
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Keep the Party Alive
Step 1. Prepare the house
If you invite at least 30 people to play beer pong, then you should set aside any valuables that might break. Hide any objects you don't want to be touched. Close the doors of the rooms where you do not want anyone to enter, clean the bathroom, and order the house.
- Keep trash bags and cleaning detergents on hand.
- Think about games and alternative music if you need to revive the party.
Step 2. Prepare everything
Ask some friends to help you get the house ready for the party. This will also help you when the first guests arrive, especially if the first to arrive are people you don't know very well. Tell guests where they can find food, drink and where the activities will take place.
Socialize with everyone, even with people you don't know well. Make sure everyone has a drink, especially if you serve alcohol. Turn the music on so loud that it allows for conversation
Step 3. Entertain your guests
Make sure guests are comfortable by introducing people they didn't know to each other. You can also start immediately with the activities scheduled for the evening and turn up the volume of the music to reinforce the party atmosphere. Monitor the alcohol zone to make sure no one is overdoing it. Help people who did not know each other make friends, after all, you are the entertainer of the house!
- If the party reaches a stall, feel free to end it. Start cleaning and thanking people for coming so they know it's time to go. If they don't get the point, make it clear that the party is over! They don't have to go home, they can stay a little longer.
- Make sure everyone gets home safe and sound. Do they all have your phone number? Am I able to use the car? Does anyone need a ride? If someone is unable to drive, can you offer them a bed or sofa they can spend the night on?
Step 4. Get help from others to clean up
If your living room has turned into a pyramid of plastic cans and saucers, you absolutely have a right to ask for help cleaning up. They were the ones who caused confusion too! If asking for help makes you nervous, reach out to your closest friends. You will spare at the next party they will throw!
Advice
- Ask your closest friends to help you and monitor guests while you are engaged in other activities.
- Forbid access to some areas of the house and close the doors of the rooms where you do not want to enter.
- Have fun too, that's the most important thing.
- Clean up dirt and clutter immediately.
- Don't drink too much alcohol, or ask a friend to stay sober so you can handle the party.
- In case of a themed party, get dressed! If you take care of your clothing and makeup, guests will be inspired by you and feel more comfortable about their clothing choices.
- Make sure you have more drinks aside, or money to buy more in case they run out.
- Make sure there is a good air exchange in the room where you are organizing the party. Since there will be several people, they will need fresh air to breathe.
Warnings
- Alcohol reduces people's inhibitions, it is very easy for a party to go out of control when there is alcohol.
- Inviting people you don't know can be risky because you don't know how they will behave.
- Loud music and alcohol can cause neighbors to complain if you haven't warned them about the party first. In this case, the police may show up at your door and ask you to turn down the volume, or even fine you. If there is alcohol or drugs around, hide everything before the police arrive.
