Concerns about hosting a party

meritaten

there are three rules to 'hosting' a party
1 provide food and drink
2 make sure that the guests are greeted and introduced properly - that means knowing which guest has something in common with another so you can say fo example 'John - you love model trains and Keith here is a train driver!' then leave them to it!
3 dont get hammered before your guests do!
then relax and join in the fun! keep music to a level where people can still talk (this also prevents the neighbours calling the noise police) and the BEST parties are where the guests meet new friends - have fun (yes a quiz is fun - so are charades or even childish games like pin the tail on the donkey) and leave without being arrested!

brightonman123

'stickers with famous names' game is always good icebreaker-

when people arrive, get them a drink, then put a random celeb/famous name on their forehead, which they have to then ask other people a yes/no question..

cover up all mirrors!

skintchick

I love fancy dress! But while I like games my OH hates them, some people just find it too much if they are shy, so I'd just have dimmed lights, drinks and food available, music playing, and let them go! I'm sure they will all be fine and it is less stressful for you, too.

If you do want to do games, how about party games as it's your birthday? Like pass the parcel and other stuff you play when you're little? Could be a giggle. I'd avoid any board games, and personally if I went to a party where there was a Wii set up, I'd leave, they are the biggest conversation (and fun) killer ever IMO.

brightonman123

depending on fitness / tipsyness(!) of guests, the cereal box game is also good fun..

best done on soft carpet with no furniture about, or outside on the grass..

each person take turns trying to pickup an empty cereal box, with mouth ONLY - no kneeling or or using arms to keep steady..

if you fail, you are out.

the 'survivors' go again, with/without a drink each round.. flexible people will most likely win- suggest wearing only trousers or beachwear, for this one!

scheming_gypsy

Food > music > alcohol > people, and a Wii can come in useful.

If you try and have a quiz or board games or anything like that, a lot of people will sit out and like Mayflower said; stand in the kitchen talking, all the interesting people end up in the kitchen.