Whadayado

My best hipster girlfriend loves to throw parties. Any occasion is a chance to celebrate, so she hosts a lot of events and does it well. The little things that come naturally to her might not occur to everyone taking on the hosting duties, so I picked her brain for some of her best ideas. Even if you've never thrown a party, you can throw a great one by keeping these points in mind.

Mix it up

Any gathering, from an intimate dinner party to a big blow out, needs a diverse group of interesting people. The right guests can really keep things exciting. Try to include someone with a great story to tell (like an awesome vacation) and be sure to include a great listener. Depending on your guests, try mixing up opposite personalities or introducing people with similar interests. When the guests are all old friends try games that encourage new conversations like charades. At the very least everyone will have a great time laughing at each other's antics.

Have a seat

Everyone always ends up in the kitchen at a party, right? If you want to encourage your guests to socialize in another space like the living room, make sure it is set up for fun. Group chairs close together for conversation. Don't worry about not having a lot of seating. Toss a few pillows on a clean floor and people won't hesitate to use them. Also put a few trashcans in easy to find places and empty them as needed. This will keep bottles and napkins from stacking up on every surface and knock out one excuse for crowding the kitchen.

Drink and dine

Keep the menu simple so you can spend more time talking to your guests and less time in the kitchen. A variety of dips and dippers are easy to prep well in advance and are usually crowd pleasers. The easiest way to impress guests is to serve everyday items in a smaller package. Even chicken salad sandwiches take on an "oooh ahhh" factor when neatly cut into bite size cubes. Take advantage of the freezer section at the grocery store. Many appetizers are available that only require a little time in the oven and taste great. Drinks don't have to be elaborate and tailored for each and every guest. Instead make one or two pitchers of a popular cocktail (mojitos are a delicious choice). Also be sure to provide a non-alcoholic option for the drivers.

A most necessary room

A comfortable place to use the restroom is easily forgotten until it becomes a necessity. Then having to search for a restroom (or the toilet paper once you get there) makes an uncomfortable situation unbearable. So take pity on your guests and point out the facilities when they arrive. Also take a minute to stock your restroom with hand towels and extra toilet paper. A nice restroom is an easy way to make partygoers feel welcome and comfortable.

Exit strategy

Some guests want to party all night, even if you would rather not. Have a plan in place to help your guests find the door when you are ready to call it quits. Most people are thoughtful enough that a few subtle hints will get them moving. For the ones with thicker skulls, try dimming the lights (or turning them on). Turn off the music and make a show of ushering people out. The absolute best way to get rid of everyone is start cleaning up-if anyone stays to help, don't complain! Also check the bedrooms: in my friend's case she actually found a guest already asleep in her bed! Be a responsible host and be ready to call a cab for the overindulgent.

Big or small, your next party can be even more fantastic by putting a few of these tips into practice. You will be more relaxed and have a great time, and that's really the point of having a party in the first place.

Confused about a social situation or a relationship issue? Need some tips to make life easier? Or think you have a better solution? April Halpin needs as much advice as she gives and welcomes any questions or comments at buzzapril@yahoo.com