By
eHow Parties & Entertaining Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Consider the theme of your party and choose music that fits. Pick spooky music for a Halloween party or play holiday staples for a Christmas get together. Put together a CD of the past year's top hits for a New Year's Eve celebration. If you don't have a theme, consider a music one like a 50's party or a Blues bash.
Step2
Choose low-key, relaxed music as guests are arriving and mingling. You can pick up a themed compilation at any Music Store or put together your own with a CD burner and your own music library. Smooth jazz mixes, instrumental music or soft rock hits will all work well.
Step3
Move into more upbeat tunes once your guests are acquainted and relaxed. This will encourage them to move around and have fun. You can even set aside a place for a dance floor to really get the party going.
Step4
Take into account the general age of your guests. If they are all similar, put together a compilation of the top hits from the year they graduated high school or college. If you have a variety, consider putting together a mix of the year's top hits in many genres of music to please the various tastes.