Q&A for How to Have a Great Party

If you don't want to worry about feeding your guests or you're going to have a large guest list, it's probably a good idea to get your party catered. Just keep in mind, caterers will often bring more food than is necessary, so it's really important that you get a good headcount for your guest list.

Grab a few friends and just sit down for an hour or so with a stack of post-it notes. Jot down every idea that you come up, and start mapping them out on the wall. Group similar ideas together and soon you'll come up with a kind of roadmap for the party based on which ideas you identify with and which ideas don't sound feasible.

If everyone has a fun time and your guests enjoy themselves, you had a great party. Don't try to overwhelm yourself throwing the world's greatest party of all time. Think about your guests, plan some fun activities, take your time decorating and setting up, and you'll have a fun party.

Hang a sign saying "No Entry" on your door. Put a bell on the door so if someone tries to go in, you'll hear it. You could put something very heavy in front.

Make proper invitations and tell your friends it's a party that is on a need to know basis only. If they ask why, then just explain that you want the party to remain a secret so that nobody else feels left out or upset (or whatever the reason is). If anyone tells others, you can choose whether to disinvite them or just get on with it. Realize that the moment you keep a party a secret, it will be hard for those who like to blab to keep it secret, as it feels powerful for some people to reveal all.

Good party games for children include hide-and-seek, scavenger hunts, duck-duck-goose, dress up, and freeze dance for younger kids. And for older kids: truth or dare, fun challenges, and charades.

Set up an area for them to play, and leave some water out for them. You can have some treats available for them as well.

Politely ask them to leave if they're not wanted under any circumstances. Or, if you just forgot to invite them, say sorry for forgetting them and let them in without acting sheepish. They'll forget that you left them out once they're having fun.

Just bring whatever you’re friends like. Make sure that there are no allergies. Finger foods are always a hit as people need to eat in front of the television. As for music, play the latest trending songs that you hear on the radio or on the go.

For younger children, try active games like: whacking a pinata or Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. For older kids, try strategy games, like scavenger hunts or charades.

Choose heart to heart games, like Truth or Dare. These are always great fun at parties, with your closest friends. Also, everyone enjoys swimming, eating junk food, and movies! Come up with a few creative games, like the chocolate game (where you roll dice, and cut chocolate up with knives and forks, when you roll a six -- everyone loves chocolate.

This can be challenging. Ideally, you could have a microphone and/or sound system so you can speak over people and organize them. If nothing else, you could get people's attention by standing on a chair and raising your voice.

Make sure to have good, energetic music and try to get people to start dancing. You could also try games like Truth or Dare or Charades or bring a phone/camera and do a photo shoot.

Yes! That sounds like a great idea for a party.

Both are good choices. It really depends on how much space you have and who your guests are. For example, if kosher meals are important to your guests, then food stations might be a better option. If your space is small, however, then a buffet might be the best.

If you and your guests make too much noise and you live close to neighbors, chances are those neighbors will call 911 to inform them you are making a lot of noise. If this happens, simply apologize to the police and neighbors and quieten things down. If they arrest you, plead guilty to your mistakes, your sentence will depend on previous convictions.

Gather some of your favorite snacks and watch a movie, or turn on some music and dance around your house, play some video games, or do whatever else you like to do.

Play fun games, have good music, stuff like that. Make sure that all the people there are having a good time. If there is anyone left out, make them feel welcome.

The theme can be based on something you like, something you know your friends will like, or something that is very popular at the moment (e.g., Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, your favorite sports team or musical group, etc.).

Be careful not to invite too many people for the space. Activities like card games are easier to manage in small spaces than games that require lots of room to move around. Consider setting aside a space for guests to retreat if they are feeling crowded in the main party area.

Yes, but this is generally not recommended since it can crowd your guests.

Have close friends make sure people don't get too rowdy. If they do, then ask them politely to calm down or leave.

Make sure it isn't too small for the amount of people you want to invite. You may have to limit certain games or activities, but it should still work.

Make sure you invite a group of close friends. Also, choose the right music. Make sure you have a game set up, like pong or flip the cup.

Try the methods in Plan a Birthday Party .