A Smart Girl's Guide to Parties. Apryl Lundsten

      

      a girl’s guide to parties

      how to be a great guest, be a happy hostess, and have fun at any party

      by Apryl Lundsten illustrated by Angela Martini

      Published by American Girl Publishing, Inc. Copyright © 2010 by American Girl, LLC

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      Questions or comments? Call 1-800-845-0005, visit our Web site at americangirl.com, or write to Customer Service, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562. EISBN: 978-1-60958-129-9

      All American Girl marks are trademarks of American Girl, LLC.

      Editorial Development: Carrie Anton Art Direction and Design: Cesca Piuma, Chris David Production: Tami Kepler, Judith Lary, Sarah Boecher, Jeannette Bailey Illustrations: Angela Martini

      Always ask an adult to help when you see this hand or when a project seems too difficult to complete on your own.

      Dear Reader,

      Parties are a great way to celebrate important occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations—but they’re also good for recognizing smaller wins in life such as acing that math test you studied so hard for or performing your first dance recital in front of a huge crowd.

      In this book, you’ll find all kinds of party-going and party- throwing tips so that you can have the best time possible at any party, whether you’re a guest or the hostess. You’ll also learn the answers to such party questions as:

       How can I meet people at a party where I know only the hostess?

       What happens if I get homesick at a slumber party?

       How do I decide who to invite to my birthday party?

       What do I say to a guest who gave me a gift I don’t like?

      You’ll hear from girls just like you about how they handled their own party predicaments. And you’ll also get the scoop on what to do if you’re not invited to a party, what to expect at boy-girl parties, suggestions for do-it-yourself gifts, and how to write the perfect thank-you note.

      So turn the page and get ready to party!

      Your friends at American Girl

      contents

      guest guide

       you’re invited

      on the guest list

      left out

      know before you go

      getting dressed

      quiz: what kind of guest are you?

      don’t know anyone? don’t worry!

      conversation starters

      be a great guest

      party cliques

      oops!

       party smarts

      a sleepover story

      what to pack

      do’s and don’ts

      bedtime blues

      dinner parties

      gabbing with grown-ups

      quiz: food for thought

      formal events

       giving gifts

      nifty gifts

      thrifty gifts

      hostess handbook

       welcome!

      party planning

      too many friends

      party on a budget

      quiz: how big of a bash?

      getting ready

      good times

      party play-by-play

      too many choices

      party pitfalls

      games to play

       hostess how-to

      quiz: the perfect party for you

      your slumber party

      your boy-girl party

      ideas for your boy-girl party

      your parents’ party

       getting gifts

      yay! presents

      thanks

      Guest Guide

      This section is your go-to guide for everything you need to know about being the perfect partygoer. You’ll find tips about how to RSVP (yes, we’ll tell you what it means!) and what to do if you get invited to a party but your best friend doesn’t. Plus, there’s a quiz to help you figure out what kind of party guest you are, ideas for making conversa- tion with someone you just met, and advice on how to deal with all kinds of “oops!” party moments.

      you’re invited

      your guide to being a great guest

      on the guest list

      Yay! You’ve been invited to a party! Excited? You should be! But before the fun can begin, there’s something all guests must do: RSVP ASAP!

      RSVP stands for “répondez s’il vous plaît” (pronounced rey-pawndey seel voo pleh), which is French for “please reply.” It’s important to