Put in effort as a party host

This is probably the most important factor in throwing a quality party. When you, as the host, are excited about the event, others will be excited, too. Your enthusiasm rubs off on your guests, and can turn a party into more than just beer and an iHome.

Don’t underestimate the power of a good theme

Giving your guests a reason to show up and dress up can really get people excited about the night. Show up and drink is not a theme. A theme should be light-hearted, unique and easy for guests to participate in.

For example: throw a “decades” party, where attendees can dress up in outfits from the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s, and play popular songs from each era. Alternatively, you can base the theme around some sort of event, like a red, white and blue party near Independence Day.

Finding a reason for getting your friends together can really increase the energy of the party. Remember: partying is great, but partying with a purpose is greater.

Games, games, games

As a host, one of your biggest responsibilities is making sure no one is looking for things to do, and the best way to do this is never to run out of activities. Tried and true classics like pong or King’s Cup are always a viable option, but try to get creative.

Make a drinking game out of getting to know everyone’s names, charades, Twister, or “Grey’s Anatomy”, whatever —you can quite literally make a game out of anything.

Be prepared, have a plan

As host of the party, you have an obligation to make sure that all of your guests are safe. Before the night kicks off, ask your guests what their plans are for the night: Are they driving home? Are they getting a ride with a sober driver? Are they calling an Uber?

Know what their plan is and make sure they stick to it. Take their keys if you have to. If you feel comfortable doing so, offer to let them sleep at your house if need be. Prevent drunk driving at all costs.

Keep an eye on your guests

Make sure everyone’s having fun, but make sure they are doing so responsibly. Keep a mental note of approximately how many drinks each person has had, and intervene if necessary. Don’t hesitate to cut a friend off if they are getting carried away — both of you will be thankful you did the next day.

Provide food and water

Besides the obvious benefits refreshments provide, they can also help guests stay safe. If someone isn’t pacing their drinks well, offering them snacks and water is an easy way to help without seeming pushy. It’s easy to forget to stay hydrated, so make water easily accessible to guests without them having to ask you for it.

Know how to handle a dangerous situation

The host of a party should always know what to do in case things go south. In severe cases, don’t be afraid to call law enforcement. Washington has “safe harbor” laws in place that protect minors if they require medical attention. Assistant Chief of WSU Police Steve Hansen said making sure people are safe is always the top priority, not getting them in trouble.

“If someone is in dire need of medical attention, I’m not worried about an MIP at the scene,” Hansen said.

Your golden rule as host is “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”