- An easy way to boost your party up the ladder of success is to plan around a theme. This will give you ideas of games that are appropriate, allow you to serve a certain kind of food in keeping with your theme (grilled pineapple at a luau versus pork rinds at a Super Bowl party), and plan for fun activities. A Hawaiian themed party, for example, might be a great opportunity to entertain your guests with Hula dancing lessons, followed by a contest to see who learned the most. At a sports themed party, take your guests outside and have a ball toss game or arm wrestling.
- If your party does not center around an activity, like knitting, selling Tupperware, or watching sports, you may need games to keep guests interested and engaged. Stock up on board games, but also be sure to consider games that are more active or that thread throughout the party. For example, at baby showers guests may be given a "forbidden word" or words, like "baby" or "cute" along with a necklace, pin, or other marker. Anyone who hears a guest say a forbidden word claims all of the markers of the other guest. He or she with the most markers at the end of the party wins (and getting all of the markers does not make an instant winner, someone can still take them back!) Forbidden word games, skill tosses (like a bean bag toss), and races are all exciting, and prizes can make them more so.
- Another important thing to consider is how well fed your guests are. If they are hungry, they will begin to get tired, grumpy, and otherwise cease to enjoy the party. Make sure that there are ample snacks placed in all of the areas where guests congregate (or where you want them to congregate), and make drinks easy to access as well. If you are hosting a potluck, consider providing some appetizers and snacks on your own, just to be sure that everyone has something to much on before the meal commences. A well fed guest is far more likely to be a happy guest!
