my parties aren't classy

akind062

Ok just came from a friends party over the weekend and realized that my parties just aren't classy. Ok I am lucky enough to live in a large home, and we had an extra 500 sq. ft that was never finished with construction. No dry wall or carpets, just an extra room. Great for flip cup, beer pong (we had a huge ping pong table) and what not. I always had snacks in the kitchen for my parties but everyone ended up in the bonus room playing drinking games. I'm 50% there to putting an end to that. Carpet is down, dry wall is up, paint on the walls, sofa added and a table as well as a pool table (threw out ping pong table). It's now a classy game room. Problem is...threw a party to christen the new game room and everyone showed up with their usual 30 pack of beer. How do I make my parties more classy and change people's expectations? We can have classy fun without flip cup and making a mess! I'm out of ideas other then getting a new group of friends who like wine and board games I toying with the idea of sending out invites for a wine and cheese party? My friends are 25-35 so it's not like I'm dealing with college kids (although it feels that way!)

Alispidali

I totally understand.  My friends are the same way.  You can definitely say wine and cheese party and  it will make the party a little classier.  The thing that works best for me, is when I make a dress code.  Have a christmas cocktail party and say semiformal or a white party.  People are not as messy when they are wearing white or a cocktail dress.... haha

SA7206

Your invitation will set the tone for the party.  Even if it's just an evite, wording can make all the difference (ex: NYE Bash vs. NYE soiree/NYE cocktail party).

It's fine to have a party with drinking games, but if you're wanting to do something a little more formal, then have alternatives to games.  You don't have to throw a party with a quiet game of scrabble. Things and Partini are fun games that even non-board game people can play and would have fun playing.

On the invitation, also include  what type of food you'll be serving.  So instead of chips and salsa, state you'll be serving hors d'oeuvres such as shrimp cocktail, chicken skewers, etc (whatever your crowd likes).

Also, if you want... write something along the lines of dress to impress

 

akind062

thanks ladies...i think you are right maybe stating a dress code will make a difference. I have games like apples to apples, game of things that are pretty fun I should incorporate in as well. Maybe I will try an evite this time instead of my usual facebook invite. Sounds classier already! Although my sister said she would bring a gin bucket and turkey baster (to get the gin from the bucket) so I feel like I will just have to do some upfront damage control...

pugznploons

yup I think a nice mailed invitation will help set the tone.  Maybe have smaller parties too, invite a few couples over for wine and games, just specify what kind of party it is and people will respond to that.

If you just invite a bunch of folks over they probably think it's casual and do what they've always done. 

JennyQ1985

I went through this.  It came down to me asking people to bring specific things.  I started amping up my menus to be more than bar type food and people slowly got the idea.

I mean, we still drink, sometimes play beer pong but it's nowhere near what it used to be.  We like to play a lot of board games, pool (we too have a pool table) or something like karoke.

 

akind062

Thanks for all your input! I think I will limit this next one to a smaller crowd of couples and mail an invitation out. I've already got my sister to say she will wear a dress and bring wine not gin so babysteps I guess

Temp38995750004016

You could also have one or two other couples over at a time for dinner parties, to show them that you can do more than just host "crazy college" parties. Good luck!!

Katred08

Lurker here, but I can so relate!  Just be careful what you wish for.  My circle of friends was the same way--beer, drinking games, rowdy fun at my apartment all the time.  For a Christmas party a few years back I really wanted to class things up.  I told people it was dressy, apartment was decorated, nice (meaning non tortilla chip) food all set up on classy serving dishes, and it was....weird.  Everyone dressed up and looked great, but the vibe was completely awkward.  I think everyone felt funny getting drunk/silly because of the forced classiness, and it just ended up being kind of boring!  We still joke about the weird formal Christmas party and have since mostly gone back to our normal un-classy routine.  It's sort of sad that I have great serving pieces and nice stuff that rarely get used, but I think as we all get older, things will naturally progress into a "classier" direction.  For now, just have fun.