help the hostess get ready for the party. Being helpful can ease you into a social situation and give you something to do.
Get real
Sure, you want to be charming and entertaining and make a lasting impression on everyone at the party, but be realistic. The most important thing is to be yourself and have fun. Worrying about doing and saying everything perfectly isn’t necessary and doesn’t help.
Keep it in perspective
Parties can seem really, really important—and they are, to a point. But your entire life does not depend on what happens at one party. Even if you trip over your own feet in front of everyone, or blurt out something you wish you hadn’t said, don’t worry about it too much. Everyone has done something embarrassing at one point or another.
getting dressed
What you wear to a party depends on a few things:
• how fancy the party is • what you’ll be doing at the party • the season or weather
Here are some party outfit options to consider:
Casual party • jeans and a tee • shorts and a tank top • skirt and a hoodie • sundress
Dinner party with your parents, or with your friend and her parents • dress pants and a blouse • skirt and sweater • dressy jacket and skirt • sweater dress with leggings
Wedding reception or other formal party • fancy dress • skirt and blouse • black dress and a dressy cardigan
Make sure that whatever you wear fits you well and is comfortable. There’s no reason to wear an outfit—no matter how cute it is—that has you squirming the whole time.
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?”
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