A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, and recreation. A party will typically feature eating and drinking Drinking is the act of consuming water through the mouth. Water is required for many of life’s physiological processes. Both excessive and inadequate water intake are associated with health problems, and often music Music is an art form whose medium is sound organized in time. Common elements of music are pitch , rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture. The word derives from Greek μουσική (mousike), "(art) of the Muses" and dancing Dance is a sport and art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting as well.

Some parties are held in honor of a specific person, day, or event (e.g., a birthday party, a Super Bowl The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the premier association of professional American football. In most years, the Super Bowl is the most-watched American television broadcast. Worldwide, over 300 million people watch the Super Bowl. Many popular singers and musicians have performed during the event’s pre- party, or a St. Patrick’s Day party). Parties of this kind are often called celebrations.

A party is not necessarily a private occasion. Public parties are sometimes held in pubs A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on or off the premises in countries and regions of British influence. Although the terms often have different connotations, there is little definitive difference between pubs, bars, inns, taverns and lounges where alcohol is and bars A bar is a business that serves drinks, especially alcoholic beverages such as beer, liquor, and mixed drinks, for consumption on the premises. Bars provide stools or chairs for the patrons along tables or raised counters. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go dancers, a floor show or strippers (see strip, and people attending such parties may be charged an admission fee by the host.

Types of parties

Birthday party

A birthday A birthday, as the term implies, is the anniversary of the particular day on which a person was born. Though by no means universal, such occasions are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a party or, in some instances, a rite of passage party is a celebration of the anniversary An anniversary (from the Latin anniversarius, from the words for year and to turn, meaning turning yearly; known in English since c. 1230) is a day that commemorates and/or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of of the birth of the person who is being honored. Birthday parties are a feature of many cultures.

In Western cultures Western culture refers to cultures of European origin, particularly in the United States and Australia, birthday parties are often accompanied by colorful decorations, such as balloons A balloon is an inflatable flexible bag filled with a type of gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide or air. Modern balloons can be made from materials such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric, while some early balloons were sometimes made of dried animal bladders. Some balloons are purely decorative, while others are used and streamers. A birthday cake The birthday cake has been an integral part of the birthday celebrations in Western cultures since the middle of the 19th century. Certain rituals and traditions, such as singing of birthday songs, associated with birthday cakes are common to many Western cultures. The Western tradition of adding lit candles to the top of a birthday cake is often served with candles that are to be blown out after a “birthday wish” has been made. While the birthday cake is being brought to the table, the song Happy Birthday to You "Happy Birthday to You", also known more simply as "Happy Birthday", is a traditional song that is sung to celebrate the anniversary of a person's birth. According to the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records, "Happy Birthday to You" is the most well recognized song in the English language, followed by "For He's a is sung by the guests. Wealthy people and celebrities A global celebrity on the other hand is someone who is known by most people or is a mainstream celebrity. Such a celebrity is also known as either a household name or superstar. For example, Virgin Director Richard Branson was notable as a CEO, but he did not become a global celebrity until he attempted to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air may hire an event management Event management is the application of the management practice of project management to the creation and development of festivals and events agency or a party service to organize a birthday party.

A child’s birthday party may be held at his/her home or in a public place. Soft drinks A soft drink is a beverage that does not contain alcohol; generally it is also implied that the drink does not contain milk or other dairy products and that it is consumed while cold. Carbonated soft drinks are commonly known as soda, soda pop, pop, coke, cola or tonic in various parts of the United States, pop in Canada, fizzy drinks, pop or soft and both sweet and savory foods are typically served to the guests. In many cultures, a birthday cake The birthday cake has been an integral part of the birthday celebrations in Western cultures since the middle of the 19th century. Certain rituals and traditions, such as singing of birthday songs, associated with birthday cakes are common to many Western cultures. The Western tradition of adding lit candles to the top of a birthday cake is served. Birthday parties for children often feature entertainment, costumes, and a theme. Adults’ birthday parties in Western countries are often held in bars A bar is a business that serves drinks, especially alcoholic beverages such as beer, liquor, and mixed drinks, for consumption on the premises. Bars provide stools or chairs for the patrons along tables or raised counters. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go dancers, a floor show or strippers (see strip or nightclubs A nightclub is a drinking, dancing and entertainment venue which does its primary business after dark. People who frequent nightclubs are known as clubbers. A nightclub is usually distinguished from bars, pubs or taverns by the inclusion of a dance floor and a DJ booth, where a DJ plays recorded dance and pop music.

Surprise party

A surprise party is a party that is not made known beforehand to the person in whose honor it is being held.

Birthday surprise parties are the most common kind of surprise party. At most such parties, the guests will arrive an hour or so before the honored person arrives. They conceal themselves from view, and when the honored person enters the room, they leap from hiding and all shout “Surprise!!”

For some surprise birthday parties, it is considered to be a good tactic to shock the honored person. Streamers, silly string Silly String is a child's toy, generically known as aerosol string: a flexible, brightly-colored plastic string, which is shot as a stream of liquid from an aerosol can. The string sets quickly in mid-air, allowing one to shoot a continuous strand of it. Silly String is popular for usage during weddings, birthday parties, school carnivals and, and balloons A balloon is an inflatable flexible bag filled with a type of gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide or air. Modern balloons can be made from materials such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric, while some early balloons were sometimes made of dried animal bladders. Some balloons are purely decorative, while others are used may be used for this purpose. Evidence of a party, such as decorations and balloons, are not made visible from the exterior of the home, so that the honored person will suspect nothing.^[1]

Parties for teenagers and young adults

Parties that are held by teenagers and young adults include house parties, dance parties, and outdoor parties. The term “house party” refers to a party where a large group of people get together at a private home to socialize. House parties that involve the drinking of beer pumped from a keg A keg is a cylindrical container, usually constructed of aluminum, steel or wood. It is commonly used to store, transport, and serve beer. Other alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, carbonated or non-carbonated, may be housed in a keg as well. Such liquids are generally kept under pressure are called keg parties or “keggers.” These parties are popular in the United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the and Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland, which is both the world's smallest continent and the world's largest island, the island of Tasmania, and numerous other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.N4 It is the only area of land simultaneously considered a continent, but are illegal for persons under the legal drinking age The legal drinking age refers to the earliest age in a country that a person is legally allowed to buy or drink alcoholic beverages. The legal drinking age varies around the world, from countries in Europe where people may consume alcoholic beverages from a young age, or generally 16 or 17, to states in India where the drinking age is as high as 25. Sometimes, even older partygoers run afoul of the law for having provided alcoholic beverages An alcoholic beverage is a drink that contains ethanol . Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits to minors In law, the term minor is used to refer to a person who is under the age in which one legally assumes adulthood and is legally granted rights afforded to adults in society. Depending on the jurisdiction and application, this age may vary, but is usually marked at either 18, 20, or 21. Specifically, the status of minor is defined by the age of. Arrests may also be made for violating a noise In common use, the word noise means unwanted sound or noise pollution. In both analog and digital electronics, noise or signal noise is an unwanted random addition to a wanted signal; it is called noise as a generalisation of the audible noise heard when listening to a weak radio transmission. Signal noise is heard as acoustic noise if played ordinance, for disorderly conduct Almost every state in the United States has a disorderly conduct law that makes it a crime to be drunk in public, to "disturb the peace", or to loiter in certain areas. Many types of unruly conduct may fit the definition of disorderly conduct, as such statutes are often used as "catch-all" crimes. Police may use a disorderly,^[2] and even for operating a “blind pig A speakeasy was an establishment which illegally sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition . During this time, the sale, manufacture, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcohol was illegal. The term comes from a patron’s manner of ordering an alcoholic drink without raising suspicion—bartenders.”

Dance parties Dance parties, also known as rave parties, are gatherings in private houses, bars, nightclubs or community centers where the guests informally dance to pop and dance music such as house music, disco, or techno. The music for dance parties is usually selected and played by a DJ over a PA system or a powerful stereo system. Conversation is not an and gatherings in bars or community centers where the guests dance to house music House is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, USA in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino, and gay communities, first in Chicago, then in New York City and Detroit. It eventually reached Europe before becoming infused in, techno music Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan, USA during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which a number of subgenres have been built, or disco Musical influences include funk and soul music. The disco sound has soaring, often reverberated vocals over a steady "four-on-the-floor" beat, an eighth note or sixteenth note (semi-quaver) hi-hat pattern with an open hi-hat on the off-beat, and a prominent, syncopated electric bass line sometimes consisting of octaves. Strings, horns,. The music for dance parties is usually selected and played by a disc jockey A disc jockey is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, disk referred to phonograph records, while disc refers to the Compact Disc, and has become the more common spelling.

Outdoor parties include bush parties and beach parties. Bush parties (also called “field parties”) are held in a secluded area of a forest (“bush”), where friends gather to drink Drinking is the act of consuming water through the mouth. Water is required for many of life’s physiological processes. Both excessive and inadequate water intake are associated with health problems and talk. These parties are often held around a bonfire A bonfire is a large controlled outdoor fire. The word is a contraction of "bone fire". The practice is believed to derive from the Celtic festival of Samhain when animal bones were burnt to ward off evil spirits. Today the practice is still common in Ireland, with bonfires commonly lit for Halloween night, as well as Midsummer in some. Beach parties are held on a sandy shoreline of a lake, river, or sea, and also often feature a bonfire.

School-related parties for teenagers and young adults include proms In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students, held at the end of senior year. In the United Kingdom, the term is more widely understood to be in reference to a season of classical concerts or "proms", which have been held between July and September since 1895, today and graduation parties Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also called commencement, convocation or invocation. At the, which are held in honor of someone who has recently graduated from a school or university.

A crush party is a party in a sorority or fraternity where the sisters or brothers are given a certain number of invitations (according to their “crushes”). These are passed on to friends outside of the sorority/fraternity and given to the “crushes” (while keeping secret the name of the inviter). There may be some sort of disclosure at the party, so that the guests can find out who has a crush on her/him.

A spin-off A spin-off is a new organization or entity formed by a split from a larger one, such as a television series based on a pre-existing one, or a new company formed from a university research group or business incubator. In literature, especially in milieu-based popular fictional book series like mysteries, westerns, fantasy or science fiction, the of dance parties, the rave A rave or rave party is a term in use since the 1980s, to describe dance parties with fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties DJs and other performers play Electronic Dance Music. Some examples include: Electronica, Trance, and Techno (often referred to as "rave music"), with the accompaniment of laser light shows, involves dancing to loud house music House is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, USA in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino, and gay communities, first in Chicago, then in New York City and Detroit. It eventually reached Europe before becoming infused in or techno music Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan, USA during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which a number of subgenres have been built. Rave parties may be attended by a few hundred people in a club or by thousands in a large warehouse.

Singles dance party and mixer

A singles dance party and mixer is a party which is organized for people who are not married and who want to find a partner for friendship Friendship is co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each, dating Dating is any social activity undertaken by, typically, two people with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as their partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity. Traditional dating activities include entertainment or a meal, or sex.

Usually a “mixer game” is played, to make it easy for people to meet each other. For example, each guest may be given a card with an inspiring quotation on it. The game is to find someone of the opposite sex who has the same quotation. Couples who have matching cards may be given a small prize.

These parties are sponsored by various organizations, both non-profit and for-profit.

Marriage-related parties

• Bachelor party A bachelor party —also known as a stag party, stag night, or stag do (UK, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand); bull's party (South Africa); or buck's party or buck's night (Australia)—is a party held for a bachelor shortly before he enters marriage, to make the most of his final opportunity to engage in activities a new partner might not approve (aka UK: Stag Night; Australia: Bucks Night)
• Bachelorette party A bachelorette party, hen party, hen do, or hen night, is a party held for a woman who is about to be married. The term hen party or hen night is more common in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, while the term bachelorette party is more common in the United States. The term stagette is used in Canada. It may also be referred to as a girls' night out (aka Hens Night)
• Divorce party A Divorce Party is a ceremony that celebrates the end of a marriage or civil union. Types of divorce parties vary greatly, and can involve either one or both members of the separating couple. Divorce parties have been called the final frontier in the wedding industry complex, and often involve a toast that emphasizes the couple beginning new
• Wedding reception A wedding reception is a party held after the completion of a marriage ceremony. It is held as hospitality for those who attended the wedding, hence the name reception: the couple receives society, in the form of family and friends, for the first time as a married pair. Hospitality takes the form of food and drink for those who were in attendance,

Dinner party

A dinner party is a social gathering at which people eat dinner together, usually in the host’s home. At the most formal dinner parties, the dinner is served on a dining table with place settings. Dinner parties are often preceded by a cocktail hour^[3] in a living room or bar, where guests drink alcoholic beverages while mingling and conversing.

At less formal dinner parties, a buffet is provided. Guests choose food from the buffet and eat while standing up and conversing. Women guests may wear cocktail dresses; men may wear blazers.

At some informal dinner parties, the host may ask guests to bring food or beverages (a main dish, a side dish, a dessert, or appetizers). A party of this type is called a potluck or potluck dinner. In the United States, potlucks are very often held in churches and community centers.

Tea party

In Anglo-American culture, a tea party is a formal gathering for afternoon tea. These parties are tradtionally attended only by women, but men may also be invited.

Tea parties are often characterized by the use of prestigious tableware, such as bone china and silver. The table, whatever its size or cost, is made to look its prettiest, with cloth napkins and matching cups and plates.

In addition to tea, larger parties may serve punch or, in cold weather, hot chocolate. The tea is accompanied by a variety of easily managed foods. Thin sandwiches such as cucumber or tomato, cake slices, buns, and cookies are all common choices.

Housewarming party

A housewarming party may be held when a family, couple, or person moves into a new house or apartment. It is an occasion for the hosts to show their new home to their friends. Housewarming parties are typically informal and do not include any planned activities other than a tour of the new house or apartment. Invited family members and friends may bring gifts for the new home.

Block party

A block party is a public party that is attended by the residents of a specific city block or neighborhood. These parties are typically held in a city street that has been closed to traffic to accommodate the party.

At some block parties, attendees are free to pass from house to house, socializing, and often drinking alcoholic beverages.

Farewell party

In many cultures, it is customary to throw a farewell party in honor of someone who is moving away or departing on a long trip.

Cast party

A cast party is a celebration following the final performance of a theatric event, such as a play, a musical, or an opera. A party of this kind may also be held following the end of shooting for a motion picture (called a “wrap party”) or after the season’s final episode of a television series. Cast parties are traditionally held for most theater performances, both professional and amateur.

Invited guests are usually restricted to performers, crew members, and a few others who did not participate in the performance.

Pre-party

A pre-party is a party that is held immediately before some event, such as a school dance, a wedding, a birthday party, or a bar mitzvah. These parties are usually of short duration and sometimes involve getting ready for the event (e.g., the guests may put on makeup or costumes). Guests usually leave at the same time and arrive at the event together.

After-party

An after-party is a party that is held after a musical or theatric performance or after some other event, such as a wedding or a school dance. Guests are usually limited to friends of the host.

Fundraising party

A fundraising party, or fundraiser, is a party that is held for the purpose of collecting money that will be given to some person or to some institution, such as a school, charity, business, or political campaign. These parties are usually formal and consist of a dinner followed by speeches or by a presentation extolling whatever the money is being raised for.

It is very common to charge an admission fee for parties of this kind. This fee may be as high as several thousand dollars, especially if money is being raised for a political campaign.

Parties on special days

Australia

• Australia Day

Canada

• Canada Day

Christian

• Christmas
• Easter
• Mardi Gras
• Saint Patrick’s Day

India

• Chaand Raat (Eid)
• Diwali
• Holi

International

• All Saints’ Day
• Candle Night
• Cinco de Mayo
• Eid
• Festivus
• Halloween
• New Year’s Eve
• Saint Patrick’s Day

Iran

• Nowruz

Ireland

• Saint Patrick’s Day

Islamic

• Eid al-Adha
• Eid ul-Fitr

Jewish

• Hanukkah
• Passover
• Purim

Scotland

• Hogmanay

United Kingdom

• Guy Fawkes Night

United States

• Independence Day, aka the Fourth of July
• Super Bowl Sunday

Famous parties

• Burning Man
• Full Moon Party
• Lollapalooza
• Nuit Blanche
• Woodstock Festival

Other parties

• A costume or fancy dress party

An offshoot of the classic masquerade ball. The costumes of guests provide the theme of the event.

• A game party

A social gathering during which the guests play party games.

• A LAN party

A party that involves multi-player computer games and uses a Local Area Network.

• A political houseparty

A party that is hosted in a private home for the purpose of supporting a particular candidate, political party, or ballot measure, or to share information and opinions about an upcoming election.

• A pool party

A party in which the guests swim in a private swimming pool.

• A sleepover or pajama party, also called a slumber party

A party for which the guests are invited to stay overnight at the home of the host. These parties are only for teenagers or young children.

• A toga party

A party in which the guests wear togas. Toga parties were popularized by the movie Animal House.

See also

• Bash
• Convention (meeting)
• Crayfish party
• Cuddle party
• Event management
• Event planning
• Gate-crashing
• List of party organizations
• Naked party

References

1. ^ Surprise Party Ideas From Evite
2. ^ Law would tag beer kegs to fight use by the young “While it affects all adults who buy kegs, the proposed law is aimed at the 21-to-23-year-old crowd, particularly college students, who don’t think twice about buying a keg or 10 for a weekend bash.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2001-11-04.
3. ^ The Cocktail Hour: One Man’s Strong and Unyielding Opinions

Bibliography

• Tung, Jennifer (2005). In Style Parties: The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining. New York: Melcher Media, Inc. ISBN 978-1-932994-11-7.

External links

Categories: Parties | Social events

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