How many people? Do you know all of them? Do you like to have a theme? If so, what are some of your favorite themes? Anything else I should know?

Me, I like parties with twenty to thirty people, most of whom I know, some of whom I don't. Themes are good, but when I throw parties I usually don't have themes (usually because my parties are pretty spontaneous). I've heard of an annual "White Party" that sounds interesting - everyone wears white, and the house is decorated in white.

-- ann monroe (monroe@chorus.net), March 13, 2000

Answers

We've had great success with an "Eat Your Fear" party, where all participants bring a food dish that is outre, avant garde, or anything else that others might consider generally repulsive ... yet interesting. Real food only -- no "mud pie" made with real mud. It was a terrific hit. Weird desserts included a dish described as "Mom's Boyfriend Test" (lime jellow with black olives -- if the boyfriend ate it without fuss, Mom approved of his mettle and manners); exotic entrees from Asia and Eastern Europe (pig's ovaries, snouts, etc.); a vegetable dish that I can't recall by name, but it stank so powerfully that we had to take it outside; Northwest escargot (local garden slugs marinated and cooked -- it's better than it sounds, which shocked everyone), and lots more.

Part of the fun came from the humor of some dishes, the assorted looks on people's faces (from repulsion to surprise and delight), and the fact *every* food was an "ice breaker" so conversation flowed like water and wine.

The biggest hit, though, was an item that arrived late, after the meals were done. Perfect timing. It's the one item that *everyone* reacted to with horror and fear and "Oh no! Not THAT!" It was brought by K.W. Jeter, author of dark and twisted fiction, and it fit his dark and twisted sense of humor. It was ... (wait for it) ... a box of Twinkies ... and HE READ THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS! AAAUUUUGGGGHHHH!

A great party. Friends still talk about it. We'll probably do it again. Perhaps on the anniversary of the Donner Incident.

-- Mark (mbourne@sff.net), March 13, 2000.

I like smallish parties with 20 or less people. I don't have to know everyone but I like to know most of them. We don't have themes really, but what we do is built a big fire on the beach. Usually food ranges fron steak, hotdog, and sometimes fish ect. if we can catch it. Its the best when it's dark outside, and there is a radio in the background.

-- Jenny (PertPoet@aol.com), March 16, 2000.

a perfect party of mine (for me) would have 20-30 people. it would be a mix of people that i know and care dearly about, and people who they know. the linger of conversation would envelop the house; the ambience of light would gradually diminish as time wore on. the music would be eclectic... there would be endless amounts of hugging, toasting, smiles. people would be recalling stories with longtime friends, and in the back of their mind they know that night will gladly join the alliance of those memories.

-- diego (drafael@hotmail.com), March 16, 2000.