How to Host a Party Everyone Will Talk About

10 essential rules for an amazing party from Lifehacker and AliExpress.

1. Create Your Guest List

Start by deciding who you want to invite to ensure the right mix of people for an unforgettable atmosphere.

2. Budget Your Expenses

It would be disappointing to plan a party inspired by "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" only to realize you can’t afford a chocolate fountain. Calculate all costs upfront, and if needed, adjust the theme or scale of your event. You don’t have to handle everything alone — ask guests to chip in money, bring desserts, or drinks.

You can find many party essentials on AliExpress. If you’re organizing the event with friends, take advantage of the “Together is Cheaper” discount, which offers up to 50% off on group purchases.

3. Send Invitations Weeks in Advance

Give your guests ample time to clear their schedules — they might need to arrange work or childcare. Creating a social media group for the party is a quick way to invite everyone at once, but be cautious with privacy settings. For example, one UK teenager accidentally invited 21,000 people to her birthday by misconfiguring a Facebook event.

4. Prepare the Venue

Count available seating — chairs, sofas, armchairs, poufs, and cushions — so guests aren’t standing all night. Remove valuable items that could be accidentally damaged, like grandma’s favorite vase. Decorate with flowers, balloons, and garlands. String LED lights around the house to create a cozy vibe; AliExpress offers a wide variety of options.

5. Choose a Fresh Theme

Themed parties like "80s Night" or "90s Disco" have become cliché. Leave outdated styles behind and think of something more creative. Themes can revolve around a favorite movie or book, a food tasting, or an interesting cultural tradition. Even a simple friends’ gathering is better than a forced theme.

If you want to highlight the festive mood but have a limited budget, focus on a beautiful table setting. For example, New Year’s table decorations on AliExpress cost less than $7.

Check out the "Hot Deals" section on AliExpress for the lowest prices and free shipping on party supplies.

6. Prepare Enough Food

Even if you’re not planning a full dinner, guests will want snacks. You can keep it simple with chips and nuts or opt for finger foods like tartlets, cheese cubes, meatballs, fried veggies, and canapés. Remember to accommodate vegans and guests with allergies by offering a variety of options. If you don’t feel like slicing cheese, order pizza or sushi. For larger groups, pre-ordering ensures food arrives on time.

7. Set Up a Bar

Buying bottled drinks is easy, but homemade lemonades and cocktails add charm. Here are some recipes:

Classic Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 2 lemons;
• 200 g sugar;
• 1 liter water;
• Ice to taste.

Preparation

Slice lemons and remove seeds. Blend lemon pieces, sugar, ice, and cold water for one minute. Pour into a jug and garnish with a lemon slice.

Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients:

• Juice of 2 limes;
• 200 g strawberries;
• Sugar syrup to taste;
• 1 liter water;
• 300 g ice.

Preparation

If using frozen berries, one cup of ice is enough. Blend berries with lime juice, add sugar syrup and water, mix well. Pour into a jug and garnish with mint.

Fruit Sling

Ingredients:

• 100 ml Sprite;
• 10 ml sugar syrup;
• 100 g favorite fruit;
• 350 g ice;
• 20 g lemon juice.

Preparation

Fill a glass with ice. Mash fruit with sugar syrup into a puree. Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake well. Strain into a glass and garnish with fruit.

You’ll need a shaker or blender. AliExpress offers shaker sets for about $9.

Blenders are pricier but versatile for smoothies, dough, soups, and milkshakes. Watch for sales — for example, Bosch blenders are available for $62 during AliExpress's "Deal of the Day" instead of $92.

Don’t forget to provide plain water, both sparkling and still, for guests who prefer non-alcoholic and unsweetened drinks.

8. Prepare Games

Once new acquaintances loosen up and old friends catch up, introduce some fun games. Choose simple, entertaining games that strike a balance between trivia and casual party games.

Board games like "Monopoly" are perfect for relaxed gatherings.

For lively moments, dance battles on a dance mat connected to a computer are a hit.

For those ready to party hard, drinking games like beer pong add excitement.

9. Curate a Playlist

Bad music can be as awkward as silence. Avoid relying on shuffle and create a smooth playlist yourself. Start with chill and lounge tunes, transition to favorite tracks of your friends, and end with energetic dance music. DJs recommend at least a three-hour playlist for home parties.

10. Dress Festively

If your party has a theme, you likely already have a costume idea. You can DIY or find ready-made options. AliExpress offers a wide range, from stylish to budget-friendly and fun costumes.

If there’s no theme, dress slightly more formal than usual — a shirt instead of a T-shirt for men, or a cocktail dress for women. To avoid spending on a dress that ends up unused, order an affordable festive outfit online. AliExpress’s "Brand Focus" sale offers feminine looks up to 65% off.

Explore party supplies and costumes for your perfect celebration.

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