How To Throw A Party

By Alan Leach
Some people seem to naturally know how to throw a party. The invites are given out, the food and drink are prepared, guests arrive and leave according to schedule and the event is remembered fondly by all. For those of you who love to party, but are new to throwing parties, this guide is just for you. Knowing how to throw a party properly can make the difference between heaven and hell!

The first step when throwing a party is to decide on a location. Your place is probably the best and most convenient choice, especially if it has a backyard if you're throwing a summer party. If you're the kind of person that is so house proud that you get nervous when one friend comes over, maybe look at alternative locations. The beach can be another great place to throw a party, with the added advantage that your house won't be destroyed in the process.

The next step to think about when learning how to throw a party is whether you want a theme. While this helps you out a lot when deciding upon food, music and decorations, if your friends don't keep to the spirit of the theme you might end up looking pretty dumb standing next to the barbecue in your Rocky Horror Picture Show gear. Choose a theme that grabs the attention of friends - you could even consult them first before making a decision.




Once you have your theme, send out the invites. For the party-planner extraordinaire, this should be done a few weeks before the big day, so everyone has a chance to get back to you. If you have to go shopping for the party, it's a good idea to know how many are coming to the party! If you're not that organized, just email or text your friends a week before but make sure they reply. When throwing that party, if only 3 friends can make it on the day, it might be necessary to reschedule!

When learning how to throw a party, remember the three key elements, music, food and drink. Take these three away and you basically have a group of people milling around in a garden. Don't attempt to take on the total budget of the party yourself unless there are less than five or six guests coming. Supply basics such as soft drinks, chips and dips, coleslaw, buns, sauces and fruit but get the guests to bring meat and alcohol. An iron law to remember when throwing a party is that people can eat much much more when they don't have to pay for it themselves!

Having said this, a self-prepared punch will likely get that party off to a good start, so consider making this on the morning of the party, and guests can help themselves when they arrive.

Another iron law when learning how to throw a party is that guests must at no point feel bored. This is the worst thing that can happen and you will be living as a social pariah for weeks after if this happens. When you plan to throw your party, make sure you have more than one CD, make sure the guests help themselves to your fortified punch and make sure they have fun! If necessary, get a water balloon or food fight started and try to ignore the mess till the nest day!

Oh, and last but not least, don't forget the ice!

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