A Smart Girl's Guide to Parties. Apryl Lundsten

      Activewear Think about what you’re going to be doing at the party. Are you spending the night? Going on a hayride? Cooking? Swimming? Dancing? Wear—or pack—something that’s appropriate for the party’s activities. If you don’t know what you’ll be doing, ask ahead!

      Ready to wear Getting ready at the last minute can be really stressful. Choose your outfit ahead of time. Be sure it’s clean. Lay it out or keep all the pieces together, hanging separately from the rest of your clothes.

      quiz

      what kind of guest are you?

      1. You see a party as:

       a place to show off your dance moves.

       just another fun way to hang out with your friends.

       ack—nerve-wracking!

      2. What kind of pajamas would you wear at a slumber party?

       a brand-new pair of trendy PJs that you bought just for the party

       whatever is clean in your dresser

       one of your dad’s big, long comfy T-shirts, which reminds you of home

      3. How many guests do you think are needed to make a good party?

       a huge group with lots of people.

       a medium-sized group that mixes people who both know and don’t know each other

       a small group of your closest friends

      4. Your favorite party activities are:

       dancing, playing charades, and singing karaoke.

       games where you get to know your friends better or scavenger hunts where you’re all working together as a team.

       watching movies and doing crafts.

      5. You’re at a party where you only know the hostess. You:

       approach a group and tell them your name and what school you go to.

       introduce yourself to a couple of other girls who seem to be on their own, too.

       spot a magazine on the coffee table and bury yourself in one of the articles.

      6. If there’s a party, you’re usually the one:

       hosting it.

       talking with as many of the guests as possible.

       worrying about what to say, what to wear, and how to act.

      Answers

      Center of Attention

      If you chose mostly a’s, you’re the life of the party! Outgoing, friendly, and brimming with confidence, you like it when all eyes (and ears) are on you. Just don’t become an attention hog. Remember, you’re not the only one at the party! Use your positive, upbeat energy to encourage shy guests to open up.

      Miss Mixer

      If you chose mostly b’s, you love going to parties to hang out with your friends. You tend to get along with lots of different kinds of people and can strike up a conversation with just about everyone. Use your socializing talent to bring people together who wouldn’t normally be friends.

      Wallflower

      If you chose mostly c’s, you’re probably most comfortable in small groups of people you know well. While that’s great for girl bonding, it’s good to step out of your comfort zone from time to time. Try introducing yourself to someone else who tends to be on the shy side—you might make a great new pal! Or call on your friends to help you join in on a group activity so that you have familar faces by your side.

      don’t know anyone? don’t worry!

      What do you do if you walk into a party where you don't know any of the guests? It might seem scary, but think about it as a great chance to make new friends.

      Make the first move Go up to a group of people and introduce yourself. Ask a question to get a conversation started.

      “Hi, I’m Alice. I’m Emma’s friend from camp. How do you know Emma?”

      Count on a friend Ask the hostess to introduce you to someone. Or, if the hostess is talking to someone you don’t know and you want to meet that person, ask if you can join their conversation.

      At your service If you’re going up for seconds or getting up to grab an extra napkin, offer to get something for another guest. She will appreciate the nice gesture, and it gives you something to talk about.

      Do you like pepperoni or mushroom?

      conversation starters

      Want to talk but don’t know what to say? Try these talking tips to help get you chatting.

      Conversation starters Talk about something that affects both of you at the moment. For example, “I’ve never heard this song before. Do you know who sings it?”

      Compliments Compliments can go a long way. If you like another guest’s sweater or haircut, let her know. And if someone compliments you, use it to kick off a conversation. “Thanks! I was nervous about getting a short style, but it’s great for me because I play soccer. Do you play any sports?”

      Things in common If the guest is in one of your classes, talk about the teacher, what unit you’re on, or your last pop quiz. “I really like our science class, because our teacher does the best projects.”

      Questions Asking questions is a great way to get people to open up to you.

      • What songs are on your MP3 player? • What books have you read recently? • What kind of hobbies do you have?

      Listen up The best conversationalist isn’t always the person who talks the most. Show interest in the person you’re talking to by asking questions and focusing on what she’s saying instead of just waiting to talk again. “Wow, you do karate? I’ve never tried it. How did you get started with that?”

      be a great guest

      Give the hostess the gift of being a good guest. Even if it means playing a game you don’t like or doing an activity you’ve never tried, look on the bright side:

      • You’re spending time with your friends. • You’re trying different things. • You’re learning how to be patient, respectful, and generous.

      It’s not about you No one can have her way all the time. A party—especially a birthday party—is for the girl hosting it. Guests are there to celebrate her. That means doing what she wants to do (unless it’s not safe, of course), even if it’s watching her favorite movie for the fifth time!

      Be flexible Most things in life don’t turn out exactly the way we think they will, and parties are no exception. You might be planning on going to a pool party, but it ends up pouring rain on party day. Be willing to go with the flow and handle any change of plans that might come up during the party. Not only will you make things easier for the hostess by being