Throw a party. Better.

When it comes to partying, IU students are experts. We wake up at 6 a.m. for tailgates, stand outside Kilroy’s in subzero temperatures just to get stamped, and are happily sleep-deprived for the entirety of Little 500. But when it comes to throwing our own parties, we may need a little assistance.

Inside spoke with Valerie Peña, executive director and chief of staff for IU’s Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations, about the best party planning strategies. Peña has taught classes on event planning and tourism systems and says she starts planning her fall tailgates in July. Clearly, she knows what she’s doing.

Her number one rule? Plan ahead.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but you do have to spend a lot of time,” Peña says. “Throwing a good party means more than opening a bag of chips and pretending you participated. You need to start planning about four weeks out so you have time to get creative.”

Peña suggests letting your friends take on specific roles. If one person is in charge of food, another handles drinks, and yet another works on dishes, you’ll have more time to work out the smaller details, such as personalized invites, clever decorations, and other creative accents.

“It’s all about setting milestones,” Peña says. “Once you reach a milestone, you address the details: Where will I serve this food? What music will I play?”

Here, Inside broke down the tips and tricks you'll need to pull off both an awesome rager and a subdued study party.

If you have no intention of studying

Know Your Numbers ?Because nothing is a bigger party foul than running out of cups.

?1 handle = 33 shots | 1 fifth  =  17 shots |1 bottle of wine  =  5 glasses |1 keg of beer = 165 (12 fluid ounce) beers

Themed Party Ideas

Underwater: Try anything from a mermaid to a scuba diver.

?Jungle: Me Tarzan, you Jane. Understand?  ?

90s: The only time scrunchies and fanny packs are socially acceptable.

Tight & Bright: Neon, spandex, and black lights. Don't forget Richard Simmons’ invitation.   ?

Army / Navy: for a patriotic bunch.

“I’m Glad I’m Not”: Dress as something you’re glad you're not. Note: Purdue fans are always a hit.

Around the World: Dress as a specific country and offer different drinks to represent each. Margaritas for Mexico, wine for Italy, and ouzo for Greece.

The Study Party

Study sessions are just as much a part of our college experience as crazy parties, but they don’t have to be boring or uninspired. Light snacks, a few sweets, and plenty of tea and coffee add up to an enjoyable evening that motivates everyone to actually get their work done.

The Food

Don't serve processed foods out of the bag.

Do try options that are satisfying, but not messy or greasy. No one wants to feel stuffed when they’re trying to write a thesis. Instead, head to your grocery’s deli section and pick up some hummus (fig. 3) ­— or try out the recipe on page 10 — and toast a few rounds of pita bread for dipping. Other snacks to try include veggies, mini sandwiches, homemade trail mix, or chopped fruit.

Don't order in cookies or other snacks — too expensive.

Do look in your grocery’s frozen food section. Try Tollhouse Break & Bake chocolate chip cookies (fig. 2), but break each square in half to make bite-size cookies. They’re less messy and help your guests control how much they eat.  

Helpful Hints

Don't stock up on sugary soda.

Do pick up a few varieties of teas and coffees (fig. 1), plus milk, sugar, and flavored creamer, so guests can customize their caffeine boost. Starbucks VIA packets (hot or iced), Tazo Tea, and Nescafé instant coffee require little effort and come in a variety of flavors.

Don't make guests sit on your hardwood floor.

Do find some throw pillows or cushions, so your friends are somewhat comfortable as they hunch over their biology books.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1)    Halloween Party

People say Halloween is the best holiday at IU, and the nonstop parties prove it. But if you’re planning on hosting your own spooky bash, we recommend you skip the generic spider webs and jack-o-lanterns.

Prep: The Food

DON’T: Serve candy corn out of the bag. Or any other candy, for that matter.

DO: Fill large glass bowls with creative treats like gummy brains, skull lollipops, and chocolate eyeballs (you can find them on Amazon.com). Set each bowl in a different part of the room so everyone doesn’t crowd around one spot.
DON’T: Serve store-bought orange cupcakes.

DO: Fill homemade cupcakes with raspberry or strawberry jam for a “bloody” treat. Simply cut a small opening in the middle of the cake, squeeze your filling into the hole, and cover the top with your icing of choice.

Prep: The Drinks

DON’T: Serve ambiguous jungle juice out of a Tupperware bin.

DO: Go to potions class...or at least pretend. In Emily Schuman’s book Cupcakes and Cashmere: A Guide for Defining Your Style, Reinventing Your Space, and Entertaining with Ease, she suggests serving drinks in mason jars with chunks of dry ice in the bottom. The drink itself can be simple – a standard vodka soda or punch – but the clouds of vapor rising from the ice make it undeniably fun. Just make sure you serve your drinks with straws so your guests’ lips don’t touch the ice.

2)    Dinner Party

This isn’t your parents’ stuffy soiree with old scotch and pound cake. Throwing a casual dinner party for your close friends is a fresh way to host a meal without dining out or ordering in, and it motivates you to get creative in the kitchen. We suggest creating a signature drink, assembling a plate of appetizers, and, overall, keeping it simple.

The Prep: Food

DON’T: Serve chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, or any other generic appetizer.

DO: Serve interesting finger foods. Peña loves serving small snacks that are both easy to eat and pack lots of favor. “Smoked sausages in croissants, pre-made raviolis, spreads and dips, chopped vegetables, and kabobs are always great finger food options,” Peña said.

DON’T: Serve delivery pizza.

DO: Stick to what you know. Whether its pasta, grilled chicken or even breakfast for dinner, cooking familiar meals puts less pressure on you as a host. In Cupcakes and Cashmere, Schuman features an easy-to-follow recipe for homemade pizza that would be perfect for a small dinner party. You can prepare multiple pizzas at once – meaning plenty of room for creative toppings – and baking time is under ten minutes.
Prep: The Drinks

DON’T: Serve boxed wine.

DO: Offer one or two signature drinks like a vodka tonic, gin and tonic, or a martini. Create a small bar station with only the necessary liquors so your guests won’t drink too much.

Plus, simple drinks allow your guests to get creative. For example, if you’re making vodka martinis, let them mix their own vodka and vermouth, then supply different types of olives for garnish: standard Spanish olives, gorgonzola-stuffed olives, feta-stuffed olives, etc.

Prep: The Décor

DON’T: Light a dozen candles. How practical is an open flame in a room full of intoxicated friends?

DO: Use electric candles. Peña says you can get the same soft lighting without a fire hazard: “Fill a glass bowl with water and the electric candles can float on top.” You can even float small flower buds or leaves in there for added ambiance.

DON’T: Buy a pre-made flower arrangement or centerpiece.

DO: Stock up on glass bowls and cylinders at the dollar store for sleek and reusable centerpieces. “Fill a bowl or cylinder with rocks, leaves, Christmas ornaments, flowers, or candy, depending on the occasion,” Peña said. Not only is it easy and elegant, but you’ll also stretch your dollar to practically zero.

DON’T: Clutter the room.

DO: Include thoughtful details. Create place cards by writing friends’ names on small pieces of paper and tying them to pine cones with colorful strings. Or use pinecones for a rustic fall centerpiece by spraying them with gold metallic paint and arranging them in a glass bowl.