Most people host parties for special occasions - weddings, birthdays, retirements, New Year...but you don't have to have a "good reason" to plan a social gathering.

You might wish to celebrate any or all of the following:

¥ the successful start or finish of a project, course or show;
¥ moving to a new city;
¥ the arrival of visitors for a festival;
¥  a major sporting, cultural or political event;
¥ the turn of the season;
¥ the final episode of your favourite sitcom or reality tv series;
¥ the end of the working year;
¥ or just because everyone loves a party!

Your party could be a family gathering, a work-related do, a sociable shindig, or a formal occasion. It may be a large loud celebration or intimate group. Make it engaging, exciting, extravagant, exotic or simply elegant - but whatever your group, your theme and your reason for celebrating, make your party memorable.

Planning the perfect party - for any occasion
A number of important planning decisions need to be made: whether you want a theme, catering, what decor and entertainment would be appropriate, when and where to hold your party and who to invite. A lot depends on the occasion you're celebrating - if it's a sporting event, you'll plan a very different celebration to one you'd throw for Mardi Gras, the full moon, or an election win. Keep your guests as well as the occasion in mind: the party you'd host for your workmates will have a different tone to one you'd throw for your wife's art exhibition or your footy finals bash.

Spreading the word
Send invitations out early if it's a party to celebrate a day that's big for a lot of people, such as a sports or political event or a big festival day. If it's a spontaneous do, get the word out quickly with a well orchestrated email or phone campaign.

Entertainment and Decor
You get points for having a party at times when it's not necessarily the done thing, but you still have to get it right. You don't want your guests to wish they'd stayed home to watch the big game or final vote count. So provide plenty of food and drink, along with some sort of entertainment or fun activities. And create a party atmosphere with appropriate decor, lighting and music, as well as live entertainment and audiovisuals.

Whether your party's intimate and elegant or huge and excessive, make sure guests enjoy themselves all the way through the evening - which means planning a dynamic program that includes something to appeal to all comers, and something that they can take home to talk about.

Make sure guests and their belongings are safe and secure, by following site restrictions and regulations, having the necessary permits, hiring your equipment from reliable outfits, and engaging only reputable, licensed professionals to handle all aspects of the event. Get them home safely in prebooked hire cars or cabs, and follow up the party with a video in the mail or photos via email.
Follow our tips to creating memorable and exciting parties, for any occasion. And remember, any excuse for a party will do - so go ahead and find one!

This article continues in Party Magazine