The five art of party

Having a party or gathering to celebrate? Here's my time proven model.

When organising the day, focus your attention on the following five aspects of your party. They are all equally important have huge effect on each other. If you need help, request your friends or family help by taking ownership of some of the five aspects - create a 'party board' and work out who's going to do what together.

The five art of Party:

1. The invite list - Don't invite the fighters, they fight!
Invite the people you want to come, then invite those who'd like to come. Invite the party animals. Don't invite fighters, they fight! Choose carefully. Produce an invite hard copy or electronic or both. Request RSVP's if you plan on catering food and drink.

2. The music - Music from laptop speakers wont do, nor will radio!
Check the invite list and consider putting a DJ on it. Be sure you have a sound system to deliver your fine beats where the people are going to be. If you're planning 100's of people in your lounge/kitchen/pool area, hire a bigger sound system. People's thriving bodies absorb sound. Whats on the playlist? Is your cd collection media centre or ipod going to cut it or cut the dance floor to sherds?

3. The venue - Licensed to 1am isn't going to cut it.
How many people are you inviting, will the venue handle the number? House party going all night? Do your neighbours call noise control after 11pm? Invite them or give them tickets on the ferry to help them out of town for the weekend. Will you need a doorman? Can you start earlier with an earlier finish to fit a more worthy venue? Friends/parents farm, where else? If it's a day party is there sun shade? Night events need attention to detail for lighting.

4. Food
Your guests will get hungry. If you don't feed them you're going to have a short party, they could get drunk, sick and tired and go home. If you want your guests to bring for the table be clear with this on the invite. Otherwise bring on your cheese, dips and sausage rolls.

5. Drink
Your guests will bring drink if you say byo. Is this enough? There is always room to greet your guests with a house punch or bubbles cocktail, shot, jelly etc.. Doesn't have to be expensive to be good. Make sure you have somewhere for your guests to put their booze (if byo) and give them yours to drink before they drink theirs. Supply the splits, ice, glasses, swizzles and little umbrellas.

Did I miss anything?