Make parties for adults more fun using these ideas.
A little planning goes a long way when it comes to hosting successful parties. Not only do guests feel special when it is obvious that preparation has been done on their behalf, hosts also have a much better time at their own parties when everything has been thought out beforehand. The fun of party planning actually increases in direct proportion to how often you give parties; for some hosts the planning itself provides lots of entertainment. Does this Spark an idea?
Guest List
The right mix of people at any party is crucial to its success. Ideally, the majority of guests at a large party will already know each other, but inviting some new acquaintances makes for a good mix if you think they would have at least some things in common with the others. Think about making introductions when you are debating your guest list; decide if you will be able to say things like the following, "John, I'd like you to meet Jane; she's also a tennis player."
At a smaller party, inviting guests who know each other or who already have something in common works best.
Invitations
Sending out invitations always gets a party off to a good start; the guest immediately knows this is a special occasion when a paper invitation arrives in the mail. Consider using ready-made invitations with a twist; for example, pick out some kids' superhero invitations and use them for invitations to a guy's birthday bash. Or you might find an invitation with the words "wedding shower." Cross those words out and write "Oops---that was 40 years ago; we're giving Jean and Tom an anniversary shower." You might also want to print your own invitations; you can add photos and other graphics suitable for the occasion.
Themes
Hosting a party with a theme gives you a starting place, and when you announce the party theme you build some pre-party anticipation. Holidays are a natural, but you can add a twist such as throwing a pumpkin-carving party for Halloween or a nostalgia party for New Year's Eve. Consider parties built around beverages and/or food such as a wine tasting party, a build-your-own pizza or sandwich party, or a chocoholics' feast. Another popular theme for adult parties are those that revolve around an activity like bowling or playing cards.
Refreshments
Using your party's theme is a good starting place for planning refreshments, an idea that works especially easily for holidays. Even though it's fun to serve something unique, most guests will enjoy the typical once-a-year fare reserved for holidays. Finger foods are the easiest choice for almost any party. Whether that means burgers or fancy appetizers, foods that can be eaten standing up without silverware make life easier for both host and guests.
Atmosphere
Nothing sets the atmosphere for a party more immediately than the music playing in the background. While, on the one hand, you don't want something that resembles elevator music, you also don't want to play anything that detracts from the festive mood or inhibits conversation. Hosts should not underestimate the importance of lighting; an evening under fluorescent lights can be uncomfortable. On the other hand, it's probably not a good idea to darken a room to the point that people can't see what they're eating. For most adult parties, regardless of theme, decorations can be kept to a minimum, perhaps using only a centerpiece and a front door decoration.
Tags: adult parties, also want, each other, know each, know each other, party theme