Meet the Author | Party Ideas
Diane Warner's
Big Book of Parties
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• Got a party dilemma?
• Are you planning a teenage party, and don’t know what to serve?
• What about an anniversary party?
• Do you know how to keep your guests entertained for the entire night?

Thank goodness Diane Warner is here for those of us who could use some help in the party-planning department. She’s a renowned party-consultant, who can add the perfect touches to any kind of party, from children’s theme birthday parties to grown-up barbecue bash.

In her newest book, "Diane Warner’s Big Book of Parties," you’ll learn everything, from party etiquette to making the invitations! Diane also reveals what makes the perfect party, and her answer may surprise you. She also tells us what are the top five party no-no’s, and how to avoid falling prey to them!

In this interview with Diane, she tells us what inspires her; the key to a perfect party; top 5 party no-no's for an adult party; teen party ideas; and throwing a party with an "amateur night" theme.

Diane's inspiration

Joanne:
You have so many great ideas for parties. Where do you get your inspiration for creating?

Diane:
One reason I love to write how-to books for adults is that it gives me a chance to interview people - there's nothing more rewarding than picking the brains of creative people to uncover clever, original ideas, such as party themes, novelty party invitations, and irresistible party menus. Of course, a lot of the ideas presented in my books are my own, but I especially enjoy the research process, digging for original, one-of-a-kind success stories, and passing them on to my readers.

Key to a perfect party

Joanne:
What is the key element to the perfect party?

Diane:
The key element is to entertain from your heart. Even though the "mechanics" of your party may be "perfect," your guests will leave with an empty feeling unless you show them you love them and care for them as individuals. So, have a heart for your guests from the moment they arrive. You can do this in many ways: be genuinely happy to see them when they arrive; introduce them to guests who have already arrived; visit with each guest individually sometime during the party (ask questions about the guest's life and LISTEN to the answers); be sure each guest is included, amused, fed and "watered" during the party; then, finally, send each guest off with a genuine, personal word, thanking him or her for coming, etc.

Party No-No's for an adult party

Joanne:
What are the top 5 party no-no's?

Diane:

1. Being so nervous
   and preoccupied with your party plans that you fail to entertain from the heart, as I have just described.
2. Running out of food or drink.
3. Being insensitive to the "mix" of guests
   present at your party. For example, try to steer the conversations to avoid anyone feeling hurt or left out. If several affluent guests get carried away with tales of their latest extravagant vacations, bring up a subject that gives your less affluent guests a chance to "shine." If you know that one of the couples, for instance, is really pinching pennies because they are in their final year of college, ask questions about their classes, their upcoming graduation and their future careers.
4. Letting the party "drag."
   I include a chapter in my book called "Party Progression" where I explain the importance of keeping the party moving, in a literal sense as you present different venues for different stages of your party, but time-wise as well, never spending too much time on any certain party event, especially one that may not be going as you had planned. For example, if you've rented a karaoke machine for the evening, but only a few of your guests seem willing to participate in the singing, get off it and go on to something else. Save the karaoke idea for a future party that may have a livelier mix of guests.
5. Allowing a guest to drive his own car home when you know that guest has had too much to drink.
   Arrange for another guest to give him a ride, call a taxi, or drive the guest home yourself.

Ideas for Teen Parties

Joanne:
Did you throw many parties as a teen? How did you experiment with decorations and food? What did your guests and friends think of your budding talent?

Diane:
Actually, when I was a teen there weren't as many clever ideas for teen parties as there are now. We had swim/barbecue parties at the lake, dance parties in the "rumpus room" or on the dimly-lighted patio, and "game parties," followed by plenty of eats. Today's teens, however, have "been there, done that," so they need something clever and creative to hold their interest.

In my book "Diane Warner's Big Book of Parties" and my latest book Diane Warner's Complete Book of Children's Parties, I include dozens of teen party themes, such as Post-Prom Parties, End-of-the-Season Team Parties; Achievement Celebrations; and Sweet 16 Parties; the "Complete Book of Children's Parties" also includes Just-for-the-Fun-of-It Parties for teens, such as a Winter Beach Party; Hawaiian Luau; Tailgate Party; Video Scavenger Hunt; No-Talent Talent Show; Karaoke Party; and the Couch Potato Party. Teen parties today are much more interesting than they were in my day. I've really enjoyed interviewing teenagers to see what they think is fun and creative when it comes to party themes and entertainment.

Do I have a great job - or what?

"Amateur Night"
Excerpted from: Diane Warner's Big Book of Parties
©2000 Diane Warner. Excerpt reprinted with the permission of the author. Reproduction without the expressed permission of the author is prohibited.

Remember when the best thing about summer camp was Amateur Night, when kids performed skits, sang, played instruments, told jokes, recited poems, or demonstrated some amazing one-of-a-kind talent? Well, you can relive those times with this theme. Just remember that what makes these parties a success is to incorporate as much humor as possible-this is not the time for a serious piano recital.

For example, one Amateur Night party featured three guys who sang their own version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Their act was hilarious not only because of their original lyrics, but because none of the three could carry a tune! Then six gals came out to compete in a hula hoop contest, followed by a hillbilly band that performed with kazoos, sandpaper blocks, a broomstick bass, pots as drums, pot lids as cymbals, and a musical saw. Every guy in the band wore a goofy hat and kept a straight face during the entire performance.

Amateur Night should be tongue-in-cheek-as light and silly and fun as it can be!

Invitation Ideas

Call the people you plan to invite ahead of time to find out if they can perform. Then print the invitations on the back of programs that facetiously announce the guest performers, so-called awards they have won, how they are known all around the world for their talent, and so forth. (Also, be sure to assign guests to the following roles: master of ceremonies, ushers, and audience.)

Attire

• Performing guests should wear their stage costumes.
• A master of ceremonies who introduces each act should wear a tux and top hat.
• Ushers should be dressed in suits and ties.
• The audience (nonperforming guests) can wear semi-formal out-to-the-theater attire.
• Ambiance

The Program

• Create a program of the evening’s entertainment on a white poster board using black marker.
• Set the program on an easel at the room’s entrance for the guests to see as they arrive.
• Set up chairs as if in a theater-in-the-round setting.
• Darken the room and have ushers use flashlights to lead guests to their seats.
• Make a hand-operated, poster board "laugh-o-meter" to measure the applause for each act.
• Amusements and activities
• Decide the order of the acts in advance-for example, karaoke singing, then performing in a kazoo or hillbilly band, then a stand-up comedy routine, and so on.
• Remember that there are no rules for these parties. Anything goes!
• Present awards for best musical group, most creative, etc.

Edibles

Serve bags of buttered popcorn and large-sized drinks during the performances, followed in the evening with a self-serve ice cream sundae bar.

Tip - This type of party needs a big crowd to be successful-at least 30 guests.

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