Birthday party ideas

Throwing a party?  Need the perfect formula for ensuring a successful evening?  How do you know your guests are having a nice time?  And what is success (sorry for getting existential on your ass for a second)?  The answers to that (and oh yes - much more) can be found within this blog entry.

1.  Put the drinks in an area that’s easy to find and has a great deal of open space.  Everyone knows that the first thing you do upon entering a party is find the drinks.  To my friends, it’s like a tractor beam.  Similar to the funnel beam that appeared in the 80’s video game hit: Galaga.  Once you enter a room, it’s a bee line to the table holding all the drinks.  Because you’re a host, and you’re smart, and you’re doing research, and you care, you should create a large amount of open space around the table where the drinks are being showcased.  This simple move has two affects: 1) it invites people in to help themselves to a drink; 2) it allows people to stand and mingle over their drinks.  This, in addition to the fact that MORE PEOPLE ARE DRINKING AT YOUR PARTY.
2. Play upbeat music.  But not loud.  Yes, this is a controversial one, but basically, you need to play music so that it’s audible and entertaining, but not so intrusive as to impede the natural volume of dialog.  If your guests cannot hear themselves talk (or think), they’ll start to speak more loudly, fighting to be heard over the din of your iPod-plugged-into-bookshelf-stereo music.  Do them all a favor, and keep the volume knob below 5.
3. Serve food that’s easy to eat with your hands.  It’s called finger food for a reason, people.  Don’t serve steak; serve kabobs.  Don’t serve cake; serve cookies.  Messy food is just a distraction that prevents the natural flow of party conversation.
4. Invite single people.  If you don’t know any single people, find friends who are willing to bring their single friends.  Preferably single people without kids.  Single people are different from married people in that they still stay awake past midnight (routinely in most cases), they still care about what members of the opposite sex look like, and they still bring drama to parties.  All your married friends will be done after a stomach full of dip and a couple ginger ales.  If you want your party to be talked about and remembered, remember this: Invite single people.  Even if they’re not really your single people.
5. Have a theme.  I debated over whether or not I should mention this one.  Themes are kind of cheezeball.  It’s certainly not a requirements.  But just think of the last toga party you went to.  You remember it, right?  Exactly my point.  Not many people remember “pleasant, non-eventful” but everyone seems to remember: “Dress like a cartoon character” or “Drink when Homer says Doh!”

Now…take this advice and make it your own.  And invite me to your next party!