How to Throw a Party

General Tips for a Successful Party

  1. Have a wide selection of music.
  2. Serve snacks and refreshments.
  3. Have an assortment of activities planned throughout the night.
    1. T-shirt making
    2. Monday night football
    3. Movie night
    4. Pool party
    5. Scavenger hunt
  4. Have a party monitor - so that rules and guidelines are followed - especially if you plan on serving alcohol.
  5. If you plan on hosting a party on campus - be sure all rules and guidelines are followed. Read the ‘WPI Alcohol and Drugs Policies and Procedures...
  6. Meet/greet and try to introduce everyone.
  7. Have a safe place to store coats, hats, and purses.
  8. Have a Theme Party! Have your guests dressed in costume to fit the theme (ex. Beach party, Super Bowl party, or mocktail party)
  9. If you plan on decorating here’s a list of a few places that sell decorations in Worcester:
    1. Ziff’s Paper World - 30 Prescott St. 508- 751-8500
    2. Rosemary’s Party Favors- 70 James St 508-799-9320
    3. Paper Kingdom - 149 Greenwood St 508-757-3200
    4. Party Time - 930 Main St 508-751-4883
    5. Illusion Party Store - Midtown Mall 508-757-9702

What Snacks to Serve Your Guests

Food is especially important to serve at a party with alcohol. High protein foods digest slowly and inhibit alcohol absorption. Avoid serving salty chips and pretzels - they may make guests want to drink more.

  1. Unsalted Pretzels and crackers are always popular among guests and also help to absorb alcohol, which slows intoxication (But in no way prevents it!!).
  2. Veggies and dip
  3. Chips and dip
  4. A 6 foot sub!
  5. Punch. If you’re hosting a party where underage friends may attend, you should add a few non-alcoholic drinks to the selection. Try some of these 20 alcohol-free drinks. If you will be serving alcohol at your party please read ‘Bartending Tips’ below)
  6. Pizza
  7. Ice cream sundaes
  8. Root beer floats

Bartending Tips

  1. Keep track of the amount of alcohol your guest have consumed and never let anyone drive after drinking.
  2. Serve snacks that inhibit the absorption of alcohol like pretzels or cheese and crackers.
  3. Never serve to people under 21 years old - (ever heard of social host laws?) -- Statute or case law that imposes potential liability on social hosts as a result of their serving alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently are involved in crashes causing death or injury to third-parties.
  4. Stop serving alcohol an hour before the end of the party
  5. Be sure that there are designated drivers or taxis to escort guests home safely. Remember - your party, your social host responsibility. For more information on your respobisiblities as a host, please visit the MADD website.
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Last modified: November 30, 2007 10:54:48