Party Animal

“Everybody, this is Ted and Annette Fleming! Ted has a small carpet cleaning business in receivership; Annette’s drawing a salary from a deferred bonus from two years ago! They got fifteen thousand left on the house at eight percent.  So they’re okay! So, does anybody wanna play Parcheesi?” – Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters

I have a natural affinity for throwing parties and hosting social gatherings.  My first undertaking was in the 3rd grade when I planned a surprise birthday party for our teacher, Mrs. Porter.  Somehow as a 9 year-old I managed to coordinate food and beverage, decorations, the collection of money for a gift, purchase of said gift, and timely execution of all parts without the prior knowledge of our beloved teacher.  This was long before Pinterest, Etsy, Martha Stewart Living, or even the internet could guide you through how to manage a stylish function.  But this shy Indiana girl was able to corral her class of 20+ students into throwing the most fabulous surprise party Fayetteville Elementary had ever seen.  Or at least that is how I remember it.

So I was bitten by the bug of entertaining before I even finished my first decade of life.  From then, years of family functions through high school led into sorority parties and Rush events which led into house parties which brought me to New York City…where no one entertains in their apartment.  Erg…

But why is this?  I’m not talking about throwing a college-esque keg party in your studio apartment.  Or hosting a formal dinner party when the largest surface you have in your space is your sofa.  But having a smaller space should not exclude you from the ability to have over a few friends and actually talk.  No shouting over super loud music at the hot new club.  Or rubbing elbows with the table next to you at that amazingly trendy restaurant because somehow they managed to have an approved capacity of 120 when it really should top out at 80.  Entertaining at home need not be reserved for those fortunate enough among us to have formal dining rooms or parlors.

There are lots of excuses to gather a group of friends together.  The Oscars. Saint Patrick’s Day.  Mom’s Brunch.  Tuesday.  Just pick an occasion.  And maybe your apartment isn’t the ultimate destination that day/evening, but that doesn’t mean you can’t kick it off with style.  Many a classy evening at my apartment has ended in a night of terrible karaoke…but at least during those first couple of hours at my place, we actually caught up with friends on their work drama, family drama, and general well-being.  And then we get to butchering songs by Journey at the top of our lungs.  Although I must admit that these days my night concludes with a stirring rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to the squealing delight of my fan club of one happy baby.

You just have to take the leap.  Invite a group of friends that you think might mix well.  Remember no one has the perfect apartment, so just make sure yours is clean and clutter-free (moms: clutter-freeish).  If you provide libations and a little food to nosh, they will come.  And under no circumstances should you spend hours on Pinterest obsessing over decorations and cutesy food preparations.  Maybe pick one or two items and go with it…just because you decide to serve Belgian beer doesn’t mean your apartment needs to look like it was transported from Bruges.  And then just enjoy the company of your friends.  Us New Yorkers lead pretty interesting lives, so why not talk about them?

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