Theme Dream
Give your party some pizzazz by throwing it around a theme. Rock in the New Year ’50s-style, for example, and let that guide your music, food, dress and decor. Or step outside the traditional, and turn whatever you like into a party. If you’re into manga, say, go the animé way.

Light up your Invite
Your invitation will scream “fun!” if you send something unique. Throwing a
Christmas party? Send a snow globe that reads, “Shake things up this season!”

Moolah Management
Be real when it comes to spending. Determine your overall budget, then make a list of every detail, allotting a specific amount of cashola for each. Splurge on what matters mostest to you, the hostess. Do you wanna serve up a frenzy of fab foods, or does your decor mean way more? Up to you, party girl. Just be sure you have the funds to cover the fun.

Guest Success
When makin’ your guest list (and checkin’ it twice), be sure there’s an even mix of girls and…boys! Also, invite a variety of people. Crowd diversity=a way lively scene. Oh, and be bold! Invite someone you barely know, or have a bud bring a newbie or twobie (who knew your bio partner’s cousin was so cute?).

Show ’em up
If you don’t want to suffer from emptychair syndrome, invite a bevy of buds: the crew you hope will show up and a troop of “sure things.” For every four people, pad your list with one more to make up for the no-shows.

Arrange the Furniture
It’s a party pad, not a mosh pit! So make sure there is enough room in the party space for all of your revelers to move around comfortably. And provide plenty of spots for at least half your guests to sit down. Low on chairs? Toss around some floor pillows and empty milk crates for extra seating casual-style. Create a lounge area so people can get cozy while they converse. To do this, push together chairs, stools and ottomans so small groups can gather.

Dress for Success
Don’t forget about looking fab. Long before party night, pick out an outfit you feel great in. A few nights before, have a dress rehearsal complete with shoes and accessories (don’t get stuck without a decent pair of non-runny nylons). Be fully ready about 30 minutes before your party is set to start. You don’t want to be wrapped in a bath towel when the doorbell rings. Believe it or not, some people will arrive fashionably early.

Pin the Tail on the Party
Games are a good way to get things hopping and happening. Hokey as it might seem, go for the stuff you loved as a kid—musical chairs, limbo, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, charades or a piñata. Play Celebrity Psychic. Each guest pulls the name of a famous person from a hat (no peeking!), sticks it to her head and then has to guess the celeb’s identity by asking “yes/no” questions to the crowd.

Say Cheese
Put out a few disposable cameras, and let guests get snap-happy. When the party’s over, create a cool online photo album. Or get the pics developed, and then slip the shots into thank-you-for-coming notes. Now that’s a party to remember.