Christmas: How to put your party on the social map (From This Is Local London)

Christmas: How to put your party on the social map

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It’s about an hour after the first guest arrived and everyone’s still politely finding out what other guests ‘do’ - nodding sagely and nibbling at peanuts.

This is not what you had visualised when asking all these people round for a Christmas party. You had supposed there would be uproarious laughter as each little group of people dotted around various rooms engaged in lively exchanges or swapped anecdotes. But what’s gone wrong?

Well, if you’ve just woken up from your worst nightmare and are consoling yourself that the above scenario all happened in a dream, then the best course of action is to start planning now to ensure it doesn’t become a reality.

Assuming you’ve already picked the time, date and venue (and that you’ve checked that you’re not clashing with any other potential big events), how about coming up with a great theme for the evening?

Things often get going more quickly at themed parties because guests arrive with a great sense of anticipation, having put a little more thought into their own outfits and wondering what other people’s responses will be. Immediately, there are talking points to help break the ice.

The whackier your theme the better, but some to consider could include a pantomime party, where guests dress as ugly sisters, charming princes, Cinders or the Sleeping Beauty, or a corny Christmas pop songs party, where people dress as a pop star who’s had a number one at Christmas.

On a practical level you need to specify whether you are expecting people to bring a bottle or not, and make it clear on your invitations what time guests should arrive and when the fun and frolics will end, with ‘carriages’.

Keep tabs on RSVPs so you know how many people you are catering for.

Brainstorm some games with trusted friends who are coming and who you know will inspire others to join in.

If you are not the only person ‘owning’ the party it’s more likely that it will be a success.

Some other elements that might make your party stand out could include:

* Karaoke kit to get the singers on their feet

* Bubbles machine to get everyone in a lather

* Create an atmosphere by hiring some disco lighting

* Confetti cannon (you can pretend it’s snow, because it’s more than likely there won’t be any outside!)

* Chocolate fountain

HOW TO STAY COOL AND ENJOY THE PARTY YOURSELF

Delegate

* Ask for help from friends and family – get some to arrive early to help set up.

* Recruit a small cleaning crew for the day after so that you don’t have to concern yourself with the clean up. It’ll be a great opportunity to have a morning-after-the-night-before recap, and relive the gossip.

Encourage people to dress up

* Even if you’re not going down the themed party route, just ask guests to wear something like a a wig or even just make an unusual hat or small mask.

Check the guest list

* Try to invite people that have things in common or that you know will get along on some level. You probably won’t be able to invite everyone you know so pick and choose a good group to match with the atmosphere that you want to create.

* Make sure you also invite enough people – you want to have a fun party, but don’t get so carried away with all of the details and logistics that you end up not inviting enough people. It’s inevitable that a number of people won’t show up – but if they do all come parties with a few too many are usually a little more exciting.

Stock up

* Have loads of food, ice for drinks, cups, napkins and a broad music selection. Make sure the stereo system can handle the louder output required to handle the noise generated by all those people having fun.

* Remember rubbish bags and recycle bins!

* Keep a list of what you need so you can designate something for guests to bring, should they offer.

* Think about setting up an ice bin for beer and wine.

* Make sure your bathroom is the cleanest room in the house – it’s where people spend the most time sitting and inspecting.

Get the games out

* Even civilised grown-ups like a game (especially after a few drinks) so set up the Twister, prepare some charades or some pictionary ideas to keep things on the go (boys v girls is always fun)!

Don’t worry!

* As host it is your job to keep everything positive and people will respond in kind. If you’re having a ball, so will your guests. If things go wrong, don’t worry – it’s part of the fun!