July 26, 2002
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What makes a good party?

Schnapps!

Talia, 25
Stamford
, CT   USA

A group of more than 8 and less than 30. Food, drink, music. Lively conversation. And one or two props or planned activities.

Felicia, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

You need some friends (old & new), some food & booze, music, and a place to hang. Add some laughter and willingness to exchange ideas. Include the attitude to not worry about what other people may think and you'll have a good party. Of course, party lights on the patio won't hurt.

Jeremy, 14
Highlands Ranch
, CO  USA

Good guests, good food, good drink.

Jane, 62
West Linn
, OR   USA

Well, it depends on the party. Let's see. People you don't dislike who don't dislike you. Tasty beverages, juices, sodas, and alcohol.  Finger foods. A pool. Plenty of places to sit. The list goes on.

Firelady, 24
Frisco
, TX   USA

good company. and a keg or two couldn't hurt.

A-Dog, 19
McMinnville
, OR  USA

Party-type people.

Alias Irrelevante

A good party is one where everyone is relaxed, comfortable and not worrying about someone spiking their drink.

Nicci, 27
Las Vegas
, NV   USA

Lots of friends, lots of food, lots of drinks. A good party, to me, is just a gathering of friends having fun.

Doug2, 29
Overland Park
, KS  USA

Good food, a variety of drinks, a mix of people who ordinarily would not get together on their own, and something to do besides stand around and talk.

Laura, 37
Lowell
, MA   USA

Good friends and good food is all one needs!

Tam

Compatible people and a willingness to enjoy.

Jill, 61
Saylorsburg
, PA  USA

The last time I went to a party was many years ago. That was fun because everyone there was comfortable with everyone else. It was a group of people from church and we all had similar standards. I guess I would have to say that for ME, what makes a good party is the same thing that makes a good marriage - a common thread.

Reba, 50+
Silver Spring
, MD  USA

Good friends

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

Good eats, good drinks, and good friends

Judy, 62
Easton
, KS   USA

Generally, staying home ... :) I am not much for parties. As a rule, if it's something I think of as a party, then there are too many people there to actually interact with. I dislike groups. People become more and more interesting the smaller the crowd is surrounding them. But, assuming a small party? I guess the question then is "what would get me to go." So: people I know and who know each other, preferably on more than an officemates or classmates bass. Enough room that it isn't cramped. No pressure to do specific things at specific times. No more than a moderate amount of alcohol or drugs -- which generally make people think they're interesting, rather than actually be interesting. And something to do, some reason to be there -- whether it's a celebration (so and so finished her thesis, so and so has a birthday, whatever), a movie or television marathon, making paper dolls ...

Maybe not so much with the paper dolls.

Bill, 27
New Orleans
, LA  USA

I liked the parties we had in junior high. Lots of people, dancing, music, but no drinking or smoking or drugs. But after junior high, that wasn't enough for people and they started drinking and getting a lot louder. So I'm not big on parties anymore. Sometimes I go to small gatherings of friends who are grilling or something, and I went to a camp reunion not long ago. I'm just not much of a party animal.

Karen, 22
Ames
, IA   USA

Good music, lots of love, and togas.

Sarah Jane, 15
Preston
, CT   USA

Any number of people, at least some who know one another or share a common link. Good conversation, nice atmosphere...an eclectic mix of music...and a true sense of good cheer.

Fisch, 47
Preston
, CT   USA

plenty of alcohol, great music, nice people and a swimming pool

Brad, 21
Sydney  AUSTRALIA

Good music and a bunch of people who don't really know each other. I had a really successful party two months ago. I had invited a bunch of people who didn't know each other and had very different backgrounds, and some of then ended up making good friends. The consistency of the party was constantly changing. However, last month I had a dreadful party. No one came, for some reason, and the people who came were weird. Some of my close friends showed up, some girls (which I was psyched about because I don't have many girlfriends and we need more girls at our parties) but they were hardcore scifi fans. Then some of my roommate's ffriends showed up, but they were music snobs and kept monopolizing the music selection, putting on stuff they wanted to hear, but was not good party music. They ended up all having sing-a-longs. It was creepy.

Cancer, 20
NYC
, NY   USA

The person that is giving the party. I think if the host is comfortable with giving the party their guest will feel that way too. I always try to put the host at ease when I know that they do not entertain a lot. Experience is a big plus.

KarenNJ, still 25
Milltown
, NJ   USA

Good friends, good beer, good music. Hehe, actually, I don't really like beer.

Angela, 18
Bella Vista
, AR USA

I like small parties, with music and alcohol and people talking but no one being too drunk or boisterous. I like for everyone to know each other pretty well.

Johanna, 18
OK  USA

Yesterday /`Tomorrow