We hosted our first party last year and strongly suggested that costumes be worn. We live so far away from our friends that we didn't want to turn anyone away. Fortunately there was only one person who didn't come in costume as he came kind of last minute. Everyone had so much fun and loved the prizes we gave for costumes that we'll keep the same policy.
My parties are always "Costume a Must!". If they show without a costume, I put a paper toilet seat cover around their neck. I write different things on the paper cover - Head case, Porcelain Queen, You should see things my way, etc.
If nothing else, it keeps things funny and they usually wear a costume the next time!
Hi, new guy here...this year we will make our party, costume mandatory. Especially for the amount of effort we put into our parties, and the fact that the only trouble we had last year came from 4 undressed "friends of friends".
Hi, new guy here...this year we will make our party, costume mandatory. Especially for the amount of effort we put into our parties, and the fact that the only trouble we had last year came from 4 undressed "friends of friends".
Shame about that. Next year, if any friends of friends plan to show up, make sure your friends pass along the message that costumes are essential.
No costumes-No entry. - You could put that on a sign at the front door too!!
Brings up another good topic. Last year, we actually had some neighborhood kids walk up into the party...needless to say the amount of liability involved especially with the fact that we were serving alcohol so freely. Fortunately, some of the other patrons "caught on" to the fact that they were underage and kicked them out. I was busy with a drunk guy in my master bathroom pissing in the tub in front of everybody, so I was not present when they were "removed". But that's another story.
My point is with the addition of "costume mandatory" we were throwing around the idea of taking turns at the front door. Some of my hosts aren't too thrilled, but I think they understand my concerns. I certainly don't want to get sued by some underage kids' parents for serving alcohol to their precious little Johnny...
How do you guys deal with this issue, or is it an issue at all for you?
For us we have all ages at the party so we give out colored coded wristband tickets for entry. Orange is for drinking age, Purple for under age. You must have a wristband to enter Party, One person at the driveway as Security, and we ask if people bring Drinks (We serve some) to keep it behind the Bar. We have two people for Bartenders. With wristband they don't have to make a judgement call.
Cover Your Assests!
__________________
Man cannot live on bread alone.... (unless he is in a cage and that is all you feed him.)
Brings up another good topic. Last year, we actually had some neighborhood kids walk up into the party...needless to say the amount of liability involved especially with the fact that we were serving alcohol so freely. Fortunately, some of the other patrons "caught on" to the fact that they were underage and kicked them out. I was busy with a drunk guy in my master bathroom pissing in the tub in front of everybody, so I was not present when they were "removed". But that's another story.
My point is with the addition of "costume mandatory" we were throwing around the idea of taking turns at the front door. Some of my hosts aren't too thrilled, but I think they understand my concerns. I certainly don't want to get sued by some underage kids' parents for serving alcohol to their precious little Johnny...
How do you guys deal with this issue, or is it an issue at all for you?
Not an issue for me, personally, but a friend had problems with gate crashers at every party. She got sick of it after an invited guest brought a dozen or more people to a restaurant she'd reserved (they paid for their own food, but there was no room for the people she'd actually invited); she also ran out of food at a couple of parties in her home, largely from uninvited people (always friends of friends)*. For the last party I attended she commissioned a bunch of pins; people had to have the pin (which you couldn't buy anywhere) AND a password to get in.
The whole alcohol thing opens up another can of worms! The pin & password thing worked for that crowd, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. You definitely need someone at the door, though! If underage folks are allowed at all, then the armband suggestion would be pretty simple. If there is any way to sneak in (through the back yard, etc.), you need a way to distinguish the legal guests (invited AND allowed to drink).
*The folks who invited others without getting an okay in advance weren't invited back.
Linear Mode
