Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - I am throwing a New Years Eve party, and I need your help.

analog · 12-30-2003, 01:19 AM

analog's guide to keeping a party going-

BEFORE NUMBER ONE IS SAFETY. Make sure you take care of this. Take everyone's keys. Everyone. Hail a cab if you have to, get a designated driver if you have to, lay out pillows and blankets (the best solution) at the end of the night... whatever it takes to make sure you all have a safe time.

1. Never use a drinking game which revolves around TV (movie, TV, whatver)... it makes people sit and get overly comfortable. You want movement.

2. Drinking games with songs, on the other hand, are good. Songs make people sing, dance, get involved with one another. The best I've done to far is Roxanne, by Sting (or The Police, not sure which is technically the one, and yes i know sting sang in The Police, i'm just trying to help people find a copy). Divide the party's occupants into two equal groups. One side takes a drink every time he says "Roxanne", the other drinks when he says, "you don't have to put on the red light". They're equal in occurrence, and with great frequency. That song will fuck your shit up, I recommend it as a party STARTER. It gets people in the drinking mood.

3. The BEER BONG is your best friend. Get one, or make one. You need a funnel and a long plastic tube... and maybe some duct tape. Try to pass it around. Do one. Get your best friend to do one. Have them get someone to do one. After a few, people will be lining up to try it, or to have a go at it (or another, lol).

4. Vary music selection as much as possible, based on party-goers tastes, and keep to stuff with lots of singing. A lot of instrumental, like Trance music, is not conducive to partying, unless you have a room full of people who LOVE Trance. Even then, get some music with words. Preferably stuff people will know, and can sing to.

5. Parties are about participation. Rotate activities if you have to. It's your JOB as host to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. Make sure no one is left out of anything. Go out of your way to make this happen.

6. Lighting is key. Do not under-light, going for a more "chill" or "mellow" atmosphere, unless you want people falling asleep or just sitting around all night. Not too bright, though, or it wears on the eyes and makes people tired quicker. Indirect lighting is your friend.

7. The greater the liquor VARIETY, the better off you are. I HATE tequila, but I like vodka, gin, and several others... and I LOVE Yagermeister. Keep in mind the more you appeal to broad taste, the more likely you are to be successful. I realize this is not always an option, this is just a suggestion.

8. Keep track of Jello-shot intake, if you can. Jello shots have a habit of sneaking up on people.

9. Kegs are cheaper, but bottles are far less messy in ALL aspects of their use. A tipped cup empties its contents... a tipped bottle sloshes out a little bit until you pick it up. Kegs have to be kept on fresh ice, etc... go bottle, unless you have massive amounts of people coming.

10. Dixie cups (those little paper ones) are your best friend for using to do shots. Use it, toss it. Awesome.

Have a happy and safe New Years!!

12-30-2003, 01:19 AM	#17 (permalink)
analog Banned	analog's guide to keeping a party going- BEFORE NUMBER ONE IS SAFETY. Make sure you take care of this. Take everyone's keys. Everyone. Hail a cab if you have to, get a designated driver if you have to, lay out pillows and blankets (the best solution) at the end of the night... whatever it takes to make sure you all have a safe time. 1. Never use a drinking game which revolves around TV (movie, TV, whatver)... it makes people sit and get overly comfortable. You want movement. 2. Drinking games with songs, on the other hand, are good. Songs make people sing, dance, get involved with one another. The best I've done to far is Roxanne, by Sting (or The Police, not sure which is technically the one, and yes i know sting sang in The Police, i'm just trying to help people find a copy). Divide the party's occupants into two equal groups. One side takes a drink every time he says "Roxanne", the other drinks when he says, "you don't have to put on the red light". They're equal in occurrence, and with great frequency. That song will fuck your shit up, I recommend it as a party STARTER. It gets people in the drinking mood. 3. The BEER BONG is your best friend. Get one, or make one. You need a funnel and a long plastic tube... and maybe some duct tape. Try to pass it around. Do one. Get your best friend to do one. Have them get someone to do one. After a few, people will be lining up to try it, or to have a go at it (or another, lol). 4. Vary music selection as much as possible, based on party-goers tastes, and keep to stuff with lots of singing. A lot of instrumental, like Trance music, is not conducive to partying, unless you have a room full of people who LOVE Trance. Even then, get some music with words. Preferably stuff people will know, and can sing to. 5. Parties are about participation. Rotate activities if you have to. It's your JOB as host to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. Make sure no one is left out of anything. Go out of your way to make this happen. 6. Lighting is key. Do not under-light, going for a more "chill" or "mellow" atmosphere, unless you want people falling asleep or just sitting around all night. Not too bright, though, or it wears on the eyes and makes people tired quicker. Indirect lighting is your friend. 7. The greater the liquor VARIETY, the better off you are. I HATE tequila, but I like vodka, gin, and several others... and I LOVE Yagermeister. Keep in mind the more you appeal to broad taste, the more likely you are to be successful. I realize this is not always an option, this is just a suggestion. 8. Keep track of Jello-shot intake, if you can. Jello shots have a habit of sneaking up on people. 9. Kegs are cheaper, but bottles are far less messy in ALL aspects of their use. A tipped cup empties its contents... a tipped bottle sloshes out a little bit until you pick it up. Kegs have to be kept on fresh ice, etc... go bottle, unless you have massive amounts of people coming. 10. Dixie cups (those little paper ones) are your best friend for using to do shots. Use it, toss it. Awesome. Have a happy and safe New Years!!