Party Ideas

People have parties for different reasons. My parties are meant to let my friends and family know that I appreciate them, and their company. So, I try to do something new and exciting as often as I can.

Sometimes, the impromptu parties work out the best. I’ll have a few friends over and then, I’ll get a call from more friends. Before long, I have a house full of people and we’re having a party. I’m not single anymore, but you’d think I still act like it. It’s just that I have my moments when I can throw a great party. I also have my family time too and no one interrupts it.

So, impromptu parties do seem to really work out great. But, I love parties that I get to plan as well. Theme parties or activity parties are often more fun than you can imagine. Some people get into them without a problem, while others are a little rebellious because they don’t see why a person can’t just throw a party and that’s it.

Those are the people who seem to have the most fun. Everyone has fun, but they leave the party with a huge smile on their face totally surprised that your theme or activity was actually fun. They become your biggest fan and then, they look forward to the next one.

So, here are a few ideas you can try. Remember that if they fail, tweak them and try them again. It’s not because they were meant to fail. It’s because it takes practice to be the party master everyone expects you to be.

First of all to show my friends and family my appreciation, I always have koozies. But, it’s not your regular koozies. When I’m having a regular party, I try to match the koozie with each person. I know who drinks what and I get a koozie to match so that their beer stays cold all night.

The second part of the koozie experiment is to match the koozie with the party. You don’t always have to drink the same beer. Get different kinds of beers. Get exotic beers and all kinds of imports. Choose a beer flavor for a party and have the koozies to match. I don’t have a problem of ordering forty or fifty koozies for a party. Like I said, I like to show my appreciation. They take the koozies with them when they go home.

Plus, I don’t have parties every week. Some parties are separated by several months. So, it’s not a burden to go all out on the beer and koozies. Plus, it makes me very memorable. I know several of my friends who have started koozie collections from the ones they got from me. Some of my friends have koozie collections that are only made up of the koozies they got from me.

But, you can’t just stop there. Plan something. Have a “Gangsta” night where everyone has to dress up like their favorite movie gansta. Have a “Devils and Angels” night where everyone chooses whether they would like to be a devil or an angel, horns or halo. The food and drinks can be made to match the theme. Hot and Spicy wings versus light and fluffy pasta. You get the idea.

Beer Pong nights are always fun. You get to see some moves from some of your friends that you may not have ever seen before. Plus, you just might get creative and invent some of your own. Beer Pong has a flair to it that can get quite addictive.

One really interesting kind of party is the infamous mystery. You can either purchase a board game with ideas or you can make up your own mystery. You have to have the clues in place before everyone comes over and if you make up your own mystery, make sure that the evidence can’t possibly point to anyone or anywhere else. Letting your guests be confused throughout the mystery is fine. But, the ending has to be rock solid with no other options available.

It wouldn’t have to be a murder mystery, although they are fun. One time, I threw a surprise birthday party for a friend of mine where something was stolen and all the evidence led back to him. The way I made it happen was that I told everyone else what was going to take place. They played along great. They even helped.

We placed my keepsake watch in his glove compartment, courtesy of his wife. Some friends reported that he had been in my room, which he adamantly denied. But, we convinced him as if we were in a court of law that several people corroborated those statements. Then, I pulled out the fingerprint kit. I had his fingerprint from a glass he drank out of that night. I acted as if I pulled it from my nightstand. Then, I fingerprinted him. He started to look around and put the pieces together. The fingerprint kit may have been overkill. But, he played along.

He was not astonished when we found out that they were indeed his fingerprints. Other corroborating stories led us to the car where I found my watch. I looked at him stunned, and everyone yelled, “Surprise!” I do believe he figured it out long before finding my watch in his car.

There are other ways to do a mystery that gets everyone involved. No one knows the outcome and they are all trying to figure out what happened. People love when you take ideas from different forensics shows and put together a mystery that makes everything seem so real.

Parties are awesome to throw together. They are a flavor of life that we should never lose. Some people grow up and grow apart. I’ve managed to keep everyone together and even inspire the party spirit in others. Don’t lose that! Keep it in tact and have as much fun as possible.

Keeping the Beer Cold

We’ve all been there.  We had to transport large amounts of beer for one reason or another.  Were able to keep it cool?  It’s not a good thing when you arrive at your destination and the beer is warm.

Ice is the main issue.  Most of the time when the beer gets warm, it’s because there isn’t enough ice.  But, there are also other reasons why the beer gets warm.  Most of my suggestions are going to come across as obvious.  But, I have some other solutions when you don’t have what you need to get the job done.

Cooler

Of course, to keep beer cold you need a cooler.  Make sure you have enough coolers.  If you have a few cases of beer, you’ll need a few extra coolers.  Either that or you are rotating your beer through slowly melting ice and you won’t be happy when you are at the last of your beer and you’re drinking it warm.

Cover

If you are taking your beer from the store directly to the party where you will have refrigerators or coolers, then just cover the beer.  Make sure the sun doesn’t hit it through the windows or in the back of the truck.  An extra added measure would be to put your ice on top of the beer and then cover.  That way, the beer stays cool utilizing the ice you bought.

Trash Cans

Trash cans are great for just about any occasion.  Whether you are bringing the beer to the house or taking the beer somewhere else, have a trash can full of ice for beer transport.  A truck is normally best for this type of transportation.

Take an empty trash can to the store.  Buy your beer and ice.  Fill the trash can with the beer first, then dump the ice on top.  You can’t lose.  In fact, the transportation will make it possible for the ice to do its magic and make the beer even colder than it was when you bought it from the store.

Baby Pool

The baby pool is actually a fun way to get the party started.  Grab one from the store and bring it with you.  Fill it with beer and ice and let the party take it away.

Of course, after the party you can always give the baby pool to kids who will enjoy it.  Watch the adult kids take it over at the end of the party.  But, if it survives there will be some kids who will really appreciate having a pool to get cool.

Keg Coolers

Keg coolers are actually very unique.  They cover the keg and some have wheels for easy transport.  But, sitting inside a keg cooler your beer stays cool all day.  No matter if you are in the hot summer sun playing volleyball or touch football with your friends.  Your beer will always stay cool as the day fades into night.

Kegerators

Kegerators also keep your keg cool.  But, they have a different style all their own.  They can be rolled right out into the yard when you are having a backyard party and want the beer right there with you.  It’s better than running back in the house for every drink.  Plus, you can show off your beer handles sporting your taste in beer.

Of course, we are a creative beast.  Beer enthusiasts know how to take a situation and make the best out of it.  Put the beer in the river.  Hide it in the ground.  Place it under a tree in the shade.  There are plenty of ways to keep your beer cool, so make sure you know them so that you never drink a warm beer on a fun hot day.