Let’s Get The Party Started

Why queue up at the bar for a drink? Why get pushed in the crowd and feel lost? Why make that face when somebody throws up on your shoes? Shilpa Shah shares brilliant ideas for a fabulous old-fashioned house party for all the celebrations this month.

The season of loud beats and invigorating thumps, loud cheers and wild celebration is here. Every restaurant, night club is packed to its capacity. What’s the fun then? The best way to welcome New Year is by throwing a good old-fashioned house party; close friends and lots of fun. Throwing a house party may sound as simple as pouring a drink in a glass. Don’t be mistaken. To organise a mind blowing party that will be etched on your friends’ minds until next New Year celebration, demands a lot of planning. You alone cannot possibly put all the pieces together.

The first step to a kick-ass party is pick a friend or two with whom you can plan and organize the party. So without further ado, here is the burrp! guide to a one of a kind house party that your friends may never have attended before.

#1 Guest List

Before you sit down to make the final guest list, remember, there is a budget you are sticking to (psst… friends can all be asked to chip in considering partying anywhere else is going to cost a bomb). Once you have decided the number of guests your budget can accommodate, start making the list. Close friends and dear friends darling partners; you have the choice to keep it an open to friends’ friends or stick to your guest list. It all depends on your budget.

Don’t forget the space crunch you may face if there are too many people on your list. Throw the party in a friend’s lawn or a terrace. The bigger the place, the better it is. It’s a New Year’s celebration party. People will get drunk, be loud and have fun with no second thought. Call like-minded people; starting the New Year with a bunch of fuss pots is no fun.

#2 Theme or No Theme

It can’t be possible that all your guests will know each other. Best thing to do is to throw a theme party that will bring the guests together, share a laugh and raise a toast. Make sure the theme is one that doesn’t need guests to spend too much money on the attire. We have some suggestions… here are the burrp! picks of easy and fun themes.

#3 Tune in!

Music you play will either spoil the fun or keep the crowd grooving. It is advisable to know your guests music preference from advance. If your budget allows, hire a DJ or invite a DJ friend who has no party that pays on hand. The ideal thing to do is sync your iPod with different genres. Every music lover has a DJ in him or her. Only rule… make sure people are on the dance floor. The minute you see people sneaking into corners or planting themselves on the sofa, you know you need to change the music.

#4 Bar Arrangement and Menu

Alcohol is synonymous to New Year party for us all. Talk about beer and wafers, alcohol and munchies take up a big part of your budget. And, you cannot possibly run short of alcohol and nibbles at a New Year party. Either make it a BYOB (bring your own booze) party or stack beer, whisky, vodka, wine and rum bottles for your guests. Don’t forget the mixers – soda, a few juices and lots of aerated drinks. And of course ice! Make sure you have at least 10-20 kgs of ice. Talking about food, you don’t have to organise a three-course meal unless a sit down dinner is your theme for the night. Lots of snacks is the way to go. Poppers, wafers, mini pizzas, kebabs and different dips with lots of chips should do the trick.

Remember to keep disposable glasses and plates. You don’t want to be running to get your broom and scoop every time you hear a crash.

You are all set to rock ‘n’ roll. Don’t forget to keep track of the time (at least till midnight). A champagne bottle should be fun as you count down the last ten seconds of 2012. Wishing you a Happy New Year in advance!