Party Interactive
The key to a great party are activities or experiences that will make GREAT MEMORIES! I've learned that the ordinary - gets blurred and lost into "who's party was that anyway???" But when you've created something really special - people will remember it and talk about it year's later... So here's my quicklist of how to make a memorable event:

1. Surprise - the element of surprise for the host, the guests, the honoree...if all three audiences can be surprised during the party - it will be memorable!
2. Masquerade - when people need to put on a costume, or a different persona to attend your party - it can make for great pictures and great memories. Don't save the costumes for just halloween parties either - this card can be played any time of year for a variety of events: Easter - easter bonnets or spring time characters; Adults - pimp-n-ho parties; Western BBQ - get out the cowboy boots and hats...
3. Let's Play! - games are always a good thing for parties...mix it up- start with an icebreaker that allows your guests to get to know each other better - try things like twister, cranium, pictionary - or take it to another level and use an av projector with your PS2 or XBox games shown on a wall and let the kids or even the kids at heart go to town!
4. Make the ordinary extraordinary! instead of just having beverages - have a Slush machine for frozen daquiris, slush floats, or margaritas... instead of just having pizza delivered- talk to your local "cart vendor" and have them serve up the pizza's on-site... instead of one table for serving the food - setup food stations which get your guests to mingle more...instead of just having ice cream - make it the old fashioned way crank-style, or as a "kick-the-can" - if that sounds too hard - then talk to your local ice-cream man and ask that they come by your party at an appointed time and let everyone order their special treat on the house!
5. Atmosphere - create a wonderland of activities to heighten the senses of touch, sights, smells, and sounds. create a sensory overload for your guests with music, special lighting and decorations, things for them to do like dancing in a "glow" bubble tent or glazing raku pottery, do some of the cooking during the party to keep the fresh aromas emanating throughout the event.

Popcorn & a Movie gift bag favors
I received a clever idea for a party favor today - In a retro popcorn bag - a package of microwave popcorn, and movie tix + dessert gift certificates at Cold Stone...this sparked so many ideas for those Oscar or Emmy parties next year...or even the MTV movie awards coming soon to a tv near you. (watch for Justin and Seann hosting on June 5th.

Here's the hotlist of movie party ideas:
1. a la Mike Feeney - the Dive In Movie Night - invite friends over to watch prequels prior to the opening of sequel on a 40ft. wall projection style from your pool. add pupus, drinks and you've got a party!
2. rollout the oscar red carpet - tell guests to dress to the hilt. send formal invites, and make mini oscars for "winners". have a camera on hand and be paparazzi to your guests as they arrive...on the red carpet - strike a pose!
3. The Movie Marathon - this is always a favorite - perhaps it's a Godfather marathon, or a genre marathon, or a review of the anthology of work from greats like Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey or Nick Cage.. who knows...just pick a theme and stick to it for a good 12 hours of entertainment - just a six pack of DVDs will do.
4. The HOME Movie: yep, those Family videos - this could be torturous for some - but it could be a lot of fun strolling down memory lane - bust out that beta machine...or Hi-8....or if you're really lucky - you'll actually have some old reels of film!
5. The Adult Movies - In the style of the made for tv movie"Porn-n-Chicken" - invite your mature audience over to have some KFC and delight in b-rated adult cinema.