We support any excuse for a party, and a great way to become friendly with your neighbors is to be the host or hostess of your own little fête. You're guaranteed to at least have a good time. Basically, there are two party routes you can take:
Have a party at your apartment
The apartment party is an ambitious yet manageable way to gather all of your neighbors. Hoist a notice on the apartment-building bulletin board, leave some flyers in the mailboxes, make a call to the superintendent and presto: You have a party happening. The benefits of a party such as this are that 1) you are in charge; 2) you are handling everything; and 3) you are meeting a whole bunch of people in the process. It's also a good way to force you to clean your apartment. The negatives of this are that 1) you are in charge (you're responsible for everyone's good time); 2) you are handling everything (no one else is chipping in); and 3) you are meeting a whole bunch of people in the process. And you have to clean your apartment. But, that said, there's a good chance the party will net you return invites (and/or Saturday night plans) with a few of the nonduds in the crowd.
Consider these points when planning an apartment party:
* Don't make the party too late at night. * Don't make the party during the working day. * Buy more than enough food. * Supply plenty of nonliquor drink alternatives. * Have party activities ready to go (music, dancing, board games) * Make sure to write "Np Presents" on the invitation or flyer. Otherwise, your neighbors might be stressed out about what to get you.
Organize a block party
A block party is another party monster altogether. If this is the route you decide to take, you have your work cut out for you: A proper block party takes about three months to plan.
Not scared yet? Good. Here's what you do: On that trusty bulletin board in your building and in a nice little advertisement in the local paper, announce a meeting to form a committee for a block party. Be prepared, block-party planner, to have this organizational shindig at your apartment. (See the above rules for apartment-party planning.)
At the meeting, assign different activities to the neighbors who show up:
* You'll need one person to be the main block-party contact person. She will handle all invitations, answer all questions and promote or advertise the party.
* Have one person become the town-hall liaison. This person will need to deal with the stimulating business of insuring your party, dealing with permits and all of that other legal nonsense.
* Other positions include food/refreshment coordinator, activity planner and the dreaded clean-up-committee chair.
After everyone has his job and a date has been chosen, the organizing begins. Over the next several weeks, everything from angry neighbors to alcohol- and food-related questions will need to be addressed and answered. Everyone will be responsible for reporting about her specific job at the weekly committee meeting.
A week before the event, confirm all your arrangements with each other and the powers-that-be in town.
Questions to think about:
* Have the police and fire departments been informed? * Are all necessary permits in place? * Do you have twice as much food as you think you'll need? * Do you have a place to hold the party in case it rains (or at least a rain date?) * Is the music all set? * Are the activities all set? * Does the clean-up committee have the proper supplies?
By the time party day arrives, you'll know all your neighbors--maybe even too well.
on 6/15/2009
Wow. Good detail, clearly written and a fun (and funny) style (if your name is Stephen, that is...). It's this article and it's good advice (and instructions!) that is making me now put EHOW in my bookmarks and become a member. Some of these things will really, I think, work. Thanks for writing it. I know a very socially shy person who may benefit greatly.
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Comments
cdrates said
on 10/28/2009 great article! I'm going to try some of these things out. It's always hard to meet new and exciting people I find.
marknew91 said
on 6/15/2009 Wow. Good detail, clearly written and a fun (and funny) style (if your name is Stephen, that is...). It's this article and it's good advice (and instructions!) that is making me now put EHOW in my bookmarks and become a member. Some of these things will really, I think, work. Thanks for writing it. I know a very socially shy person who may benefit greatly.