You can also check out some of the premade playlists on Spotify or iTunes and either use them or add songs from the list to your own playlist. Another option is to hire a DJ to handle the music for your party.

A basic rule of thumb for stocking up enough alcohol for a party is to have 3 bottles of wine for every 4 people or 3-4 cocktails per person. [3] X Research source Try making tasty party classics like rum or tequila punch, margaritas, or sangria. If you want a non-alcoholic option, a big bowl of punch is always a hit. Be sure to add a ladle if you’re using bowls!

If you have a bunch of people coming and you’re worried about running out of food, stock up on cheaper items like potatoes and bread so everyone has enough. Come up with a menu that reflects the energy of the party you want to throw. [5] X Research source For instance, if you’re having a fun, casual get-together, you could put together a menu that includes sandwiches, french fries, crunch veggies to snack on, and lots of tasty dips.

While the party is getting started, hang out by the front door so you can greet each person as they arrive. For instance, you could say something like, “Hey Tom! It’s great to see you. Do you want a beer or a soda? The snacks are in the kitchen. Come on in and have some fun!”

You can also make sure that anyone who’s drinking has either a designated driver or a way to get home such as a ride-sharing app like Uber or Lyft.

For instance, you could say something like, “Hi Chris, this is Anna. Anna this is Chris. I think both of you guys are super into CrossFit, right?” Stick to easy, open-ended questions that encourage people to talk. You could ask something like, “How do you guys like the wings? What do you like to cook?”

You want everyone to have fun, but you also want your guests to be safe!

You can also try the “Telephone” game where you gather people in a circle and whisper a phrase in another person’s ear. They can then whisper it to another person and it goes around to the last person to see what the phrase has changed into. If you’re feeling a little daring, you could even try playing a classic game of spin the bottle.