Party Prep 101

2023-02-01

The only list you need for house party planning. These are your bare minimum requirements for hosting a social event that doesn’t immediately dissolve into awkward silence. Use this info as your basic must-haves, and then try to get creative with the rest.

A good house party hinges on five things that maintains the illusion that your at a party are not just hanging out at someones house.

Quote of the day:

If the party’s shit, you haven’t had enough to drink.

1. Music

The first and most essential in our list is music, which can be done in loads of ways but should basically be the main vibe behind the party.

To create different vibes, you can look at having a regular playlist, a DJ, live music, linked multi-room speakers, and other set ups.

You can use the genre of music and the volume to create the atmosphere you need, the quieter it is - the more sociable it will be, and the louder it is - the more club-like.

2. Drink

Next is the alcohol, this is the driving force behind most parties which allows everyone to let loose and have some fun without conscious thought ruining things.

The more the better.

Getting a range of booze can take your party to the next level, beers, stuff for shots, cocktails, or having a bit of wine. People like different things and if they don’t have it they might not drink. People can then switch up or tone down without the party going dead.

3. Space & Seating

The area that you use is pretty vital, there needs to be the right amount of space for people to chat, move, dance, rest, drink, eat, smoke, puke and play games.

Make as much room for the above as possible. This means clearing any shit that takes up space, and making sure theres enough seating (sofas, bean bags, chairs, benches or even mattresses).

4. Lighting & Decor

A major part of any party is how the atmosphere feels which is also a visual thing. The visuals at a party are one of the biggest things you can do to transform a space from a regular shitty room to a place you want to party.

Lighting: Depending on the amount of rooms you have this can be done differently, but you should try to make three very areas:

1. Party - Mood lighting, strobe or coloured lights (not bright)
2. Chill - A dark place that is relaxing but light enough that people can see their own hands
3. Reality - A light area away from the party that can be used for practical stuff (usually the kitchen)

The lighting can be done with dimmed ceiling lights, lamps, coloured bulbs, blacklights, strobe lights, disco lights. Coloured cellophane over any existing lighting can work but maybe this is a fire hazard, I don’t know.

Decor: Add decorations & accessories around like balloons, paint, wall hangings, rave glasses, beer bong, etc. but also removing the stuff that isn’t for a party like your cats urn or a bunch or ironing.

If you know how to do interior design, fashion or just generally good at knowing what is visually pleasing then it will be quite obvious. If not, you may need a hand because you’ll probably fuck it up.

5. People

The first thing that is needed here is to work out how many people you can invite based on the capacity of the space you’re partying in. The bigger the better (depending on the occasion). If a specific number isn’t needed then its always best to invite the most people possible, there will always be dropouts.

Additional Ideas

• Activities
• Special guests
• Live performers
• A sight to be seen
• Fancy dress
• Alternative venue
• Pool/hot tub
• Movie room
• Drink/item on arrival
• Food
• Outdoor area

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