181188 523 Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties true Wed, 13 May 2009 08:17:26 -0700 /system/videos/0/88/11/18/181188.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, christmas How To Be a Good Host http://www.howcast.com/videos/181188-How-To-Be-a-Good-Host http://www.howcast.com/videos/181188-How-To-Be-a-Good-Host/edit approved 145 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=181188"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=181188" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 6 wbetts01 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png 1003 false false false 70770 1 24 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/24.jpg Decide whom to invite Decide whom to invite. Choose guests who will get along, but don’t be afraid to push the envelope. Mix Democrats with Republicans, book-lovers with TV junkies, artists with tycoons.

]]> 70771 2 37 Tip There are limits, of course—if you’ve invited the Hatfields, have the McCoys another time.

]]> 70772 3 43 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/43.jpg Issue invitations Issue invitations by mail, phone, email, or in person. The more formal the event, the more notice you should give. A wedding needs at least six weeks, but a potluck only days.

]]> 70773 4 54 Tip If you anticipate a noise level that might annoy your neighbors, make sure to invite them! Even if they don’t come, it’s harder to complain about a party you were invited to.

]]> 70774 5 65 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/65.jpg Prepare early Prepare early. If it’s a dinner party, set the table before the doorbell rings. If kids or pets are coming, put away breakables (ditto for Super Bowl parties). Choose foods you can make ahead of time.

]]> 70775 6 78 Tip If your budget allows, hire someone to set up, take coats, and clear dishes, even if it’s just an eager high school kid. You’ll be free to ease conversation and smooth over social wrinkles, which is a host’s real job.

]]> 70776 7 90 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/90.jpg Get guest drink & introduce Make sure each guest has two things within minutes of arriving: a drink and an introduction to at least a few other guests. This isn’t a library or funeral parlor, so give people that initial incentive to talk.

]]> 70777 8 105 Tip Use alcohol judiciously. A little might be good to loosen up both you and your guests—but break out the club soda well before the brawling begins.

]]> 70778 9 115 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/115.jpg List for disharmony & silence Listen for disharmony or awkward silence. If your buttoned-up boss is struggling to talk to your pet psychic, jump in with an introduction to someone new—like your neighbor, who’s wondering why he was invited.

]]> 70779 10 128 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/128.jpg Relax Relax. Once everyone’s in the room, there’s a limit to what you can do. Let the event take its course and try to have some fun.

]]> 70780 11 136 Fact The Korean monster movie, The Host, features a creature that emerges from the river and eats people.

]]> 523 160842 How To Escape From a Bad Party Without Offending the Host AssignmentGuide 6256 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:47:13 -0700 13 kevinveselka ]]> 183 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/42/08/16/160842.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, celebrations, party, parties Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/160842/Picture_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/160842-How-To-Escape-From-a-Bad-Party-Without-Offending-the-Host 523 163315 How To Get Your Guests To Leave AssignmentGuide 2453 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:19:09 -0700 9 davidhe ]]> 98 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/15/33/16/163315.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, christmas, thanksgiving, holiday Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 6 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/163315/Picture_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/163315-How-To-Get-Your-Guests-To-Leave 523 166189 How To Party With Celebrities AssignmentGuide 493 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:32:26 -0700 0 Semore9 ]]> 110 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/49/08/27/270849.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/166189/party_celebrities_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/166189-How-To-Party-With-Celebrities 523 180144 How To Mingle AssignmentGuide 4240 Tue, 12 May 2009 08:33:09 -0700 16 Thom_Roholt ]]> 166 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/44/01/18/180144.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, celebrations, party, parties Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/Picture_9_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/180144-How-To-Mingle 523 206019 How To Fake Your Way Through a Cocktail Party AssignmentGuide 4943 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:03:50 -0700 10 DimitriL ]]> 180 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/19/60/20/206019.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, party, parties, holiday Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 4 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/fake_way_through_cocktail_party_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/206019-How-To-Fake-Your-Way-Through-a-Cocktail-Party 523 214537 How To Buy Alcohol For a Party AssignmentGuide 10292 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:25:33 -0700 2 rsansivero ]]> 115 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/37/45/21/214537.flv alcohol, party, beer, vodka, buy, amount, quantity, booze Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/214537/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/214537-How-To-Buy-Alcohol-For-a-Party 523 217129 How To Be a Good Party Guest AssignmentGuide 1515 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:03:37 -0700 8 heroicarts ]]> 165 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/08/58/23/235808.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, christmas, thanksgiving, party, guest, good, helpful, help, etiquette, manners Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217129/be_a_good_party_guest_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/217129-How-To-Be-a-Good-Party-Guest 523 223526 How To Make a Hand-Painted Tie For Father’s Day AssignmentGuide 209 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:02:28 -0700 1 theprohouse ]]> 96 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/22/71/25/257122.flv father's,day,fathers,crafts,making,tie,painting,children,kids,creative,ideas,presents,gifts Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/223526/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/223526-How-To-Make-a-HandPainted-Tie-For-Fathers-Day 525 113750 How To Remember People’s Birthdays AssignmentGuide 1421 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:16:57 -0800 8 Equilibrio ]]> 103 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/50/37/11/113750.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, celebrations, holiday Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113750/cupcake_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/113750-How-To-Remember-Peoples-Birthdays 525 148184 How To Prevent the Waitstaff From Singing “Happy Birthday” To You AssignmentGuide 3083 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:19:15 -0800 5 briskimj ]]> 93 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/84/81/14/148184.flv happy birthday, DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, celebrations Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/148184/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/148184-How-To-Prevent-the-Waitstaff-From-Singing-Happy-Birthday-To-You 525 230009 How To Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday AssignmentGuide 940 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:33:25 -0700 1 rachybop ]]> 113 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/22/39/26/263922.flv free,stuff,birthday,getting,advantage,birth,day,complimentary,drinks,food,scoring Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/230009/birthdayfree_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/230009-How-To-Get-Free-Stuff-on-Your-Birthday 526 105200 How To Choose an Artificial Christmas Tree AssignmentGuide 911 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:16:33 -0800 9 Altius ]]> 114 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/00/52/10/105200.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, christmas Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/105200/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/105200-How-To-Choose-an-Artificial-Christmas-Tree 526 213986 How To Have a Stress-Free Family Christmas AssignmentGuide 486 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:06:39 -0700 2 CinemaSlam ]]> 117 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/13/47/23/234713.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/213986/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/213986-How-To-Have-a-Stress-Free-Family-Christmas 526 214740 How To Survive Christmas With Your Family AssignmentGuide 501 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:04:11 -0700 1 CinemaSlam ]]> 136 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/86/19/23/231986.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, season Holidays & Celebrations 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