How to throw a good house party

Ok So I can honestly say that when it comes to house parties, I'm a bit of an expert. I have been to many and thrown a bunch, especially in University. I like house parties, it's cheaper than going to a bar and I find it's a more intimate setting and easier to strike up a conversation.


I have thrown a few really great house parties, and almost have it down to an art, going to throw my first house party with my housemates here since I moved, and figured I'd share some tips to throwing a good house party.

1. Guests Invite a good size and diverse group of people. Depending on the size of the place you have, 30 is the min amount of people you want, try to balance the male/female ratio and have people of different social groups, getting friends to invite their friends is excellent for this. Ideally at a party there will be people you know really well and a chance to meet new people. You don't want to over sell it as the biggest party ever, but don't be to modest. Just say its a party or getting people together and leave it at that, if the guests are not expecting a big party and it turns out they will be impressed, but if its the oposite you will look pretty foolish.
2. Entertainment: A live band or a DJ is a great way to attract people to a party, it provides entertainment, and usually the DJ or band members will bring guests of their own. A lot will play for free or for booze, make sure you take care of them.
3. Neighbors: Go to your immediate neighbors and tell them you are having a party, and even invite them, most cases it's a curtsy invite and they wont show. Tell them your having a party and give them your cell number in case it gets to loud so they call you, not the cops.
4. Booze: You have to have booze for a good party, best bet is to try to provide booze. Can't go wrong with a keg, or fruit punch. For those who are budget conscious, then having a kegger and charging for it can be risky, you don't always make your money back and somebody has to be responsible for getting the cash from everyone. You want to make it BYOB, because not everyone drinks beer or punch. Best bet, sell novelty drinks or shots people don't usually have, my favourite is jello shots, and they are inexpensive to make, you can charge for them as long as it's still byob and you don't gauge them, just aim to make your cash back.
5. Themes: Everyone loves a themed party, especially when you go all out for decorations, however expecting guests to dress up can very easily backfire. I have seen many Toga or themed party bomb on the theme, with one party where it was only the host wearing a toga. Making it madatory to have people wear a custome will deter a lot of guests. Halloween is the only exception to this rule.
6. Pre-Party: Try to make sure you have a core group of friends who are already at the party before the other guests arrive, that way it's not awkward when it's just you and another guests you don't know well.
7. Drugs: Cat's out of the bag, drugs exists and yes people do them at parties, it all depends on your level of comfort. Pot for example is actually ideal for a party, because at most it will make your guests pass out early, which means less destruction to your home. Pot baked goods are almost clean wholesome fun and even people who don't smoke will usually eat brownies because well, i mean what can be more harmless than a brownie? Anything else you will want to make sure that at the very least you don't advertise it as a drug party (especially for coke), because it will attract sketchy people. Just look the other way unless it's something you don't want at your party.
8. Theft: Take all valuable and breakable itmes down and pack away, best bet have a room sealed off for your stuff, make sure your friends keep an eye out on the other guests. Things that can easily stolen are DVDs, CDs and petty cash. Alchool especially beer will get stolen, thats just to be expected.
9. Rowdyness: Monitor the vibe of the party, if it starts to get out of control start to kick out trouble makers ASAP. Once people see someone is kicked out, it sends a message to everyone else, letting them stay can cause a snowball effect. I have seen a party get out of control and people start to break plates and even kitchen applainces.
10. No more than 3 degress of seperation: Bascially friends of yours can invite their friends, but thats it. After that these people are almost strangers and are the ones most likely to cause trouble or steal stuff.

Things that can go wrong (all have happened to me): Hopefully it will be minor stuff to be expected at a party: spilled drinks, broken bottles/glasses etc. Thats fine and happens. Watch out for people who have had to much to drink, and have buckets or trash cans on hand, especially if they get sick and throw up. Try to get sick people to a bathroom, but don't let them lock themselves in! Give them plenty of water and then put them in a quiet room, such as your bedroom with a bucket for them to throw up. Do not let anyone drive home drunk, you have a morale responisbility to not let anyone drive home where they can endager their lives or others. In some places you can be sued if you let someone drive home drunk, if they do call the cops. I had to do this once on someone and you know what, he lost his liscence and deserved it! Your just endagering lives if you let them drive home, make room for people to crash at your place ( could increase your chances of getting laid!)

Hope your party is a great sucess and remember to have fun!

Comments

It is important for any party to invite more people that you think you'll accomodate. It has been my experience that only about 70% of those you invite actually attend...so don't be afraid to over-invite.

And...how can you have a party without food? Maybe it's because I am Italian, but I could never have a party without offering some kind of food. This was true when I was throwing parties in college and remains the same today...only the type of food has changed. Further, food tends to mellow the bad effects of alcohol...people get loose, but they don't start stabbing each other with the silverware.

And in connection with decorations: it is ALWAYS important to set a mood for a party. Lower the lights, re-arrange the furniture, use tablecloths (paper is OK)...anything you can do to pump up the ambiance helps. Oh...and NEVER have enough chairs! It is important that some guests be standing so that people mingle. So, if you have 40 people there, make sure you have only about 30 chairs (I actually keep spare ones in the closet and only take them out as and when the number of guests in attendance warrant it.)
 
Hmm... well, this is a perfect house-party for a COLLEGE STUDENT. But honestly, it doesn't sound very wonderful to me.

My idea of a nice house party is between 10 and 20 people. No beer unless it's a summer bbq. Definately no drugs... the people I would invite to my party would be far above that. The house would be spotless, the food would be amazing, and people would be dressed nicely.
 
I'm with Mandee on this one. I haven't been to a party like the one in the blog since senior year in high school. You paid $5 or $10 at the door and got a big, yellow, plastic Solo cup on which they wrote your name; with a black Sharpie. Since I've never been a beer drinker I usually got yelled at by the host for rooting through the fridge and drinking his little sisters Capri Sun juice boxes. :tongue:
 

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