2. HAVE A PARTY

We support any excuse to party (Halloween, Arbor Day, new SYW posted...), and a great way to become friendly with your neighbors is to be the host or hostess of your own little fête. You're guaranteed to at least have a good time - especially if drinking is involved. Basically, there are two party routes you can go:

Have a party at your apartment
Organize a block party

Have a party at your apartment

The apartment party is an ambitious yet manageable way to gather all ye' neighbors. Hoist a notice on the apartment building bulletin board, leave some flyers in the mailboxes, make a call to the superintendent, and presto: you have a party happening. The benefits of a party such as this are that 1) you are in charge, 2) you are handling everything, and 3) you are meeting a whole bunch of people in the process. It's also a good way to force you to clean your apartment. The negatives of this are that 1) you are in charge (you're responsible for everyone's good time), 2) you are handling everything (no one else is chipping in), and 3) you are meeting a whole bunch of people in the process (half of whom will probably be duds). And you have to clean your apartment. But, that said, there's a good chance the party will net you return invites (and/or Saturday night plans) with a few of the non-duds in the crowd.

Consider these points when planning an apartment party:

  • Don't make the party too late at night.
  • Don't make the party during the working day.
  • Buy more than enough food.
  • Supply plenty of non-liquor drink alternatives.
  • Have party activities ready to go (music, dancing, board games)
  • Make sure that you say "NO PRESENTS" on the invitation or flyer. Otherwise, your neighbors might be stressed out about what to get you... or they might not want to get you anything and decide not to come.

Organize a block party

A block party is another party monster altogether. If this is the route you decide to go, you have your work cut out for you - a proper block party takes about three months to plan.

Not scared yet? Good. Here's what you do: on that trusty bulletin board in your building and in a nice little advertisement in the local paper, announce a meeting to form a committee for a block party. Be prepared, block party planner, to have this organizational shindig at your apartment. (See above rules for apartment party planning).

At the meeting, assign different activities to the neighbors that show up:

  • You'll need one person to be the main block party contact person. He/she will handle all invitations, answer all questions, and promote or advertise the party.

  • Have one person become town-hall liaison. This person will need to deal with the stimulating business of insuring your party, dealing with permits, and all that other legal nonsense. We suggest you assign this task to someone you don't like or someone who is a push-over.

  • Other positions include: Food/refreshment coordinator, activity planner, and the dreaded clean-up committee chair.

After everyone has his/her job and a date has been chosen, the organizing begins. Over the next several weeks, everything from angry neighbors to alcohol/food questions will need to be addressed and answered. Everyone will be responsible for reporting about his/her specific job at the weekly committee meeting.

A week before the event, confirm all your arrangements with each other and the powers-that-be in town.

Questions to think about:

  • Have the police/fire department been informed?
  • Are all necessary permits in place?
  • Do you have twice as much food as you think you'll need?
  • Do you have a place to hold the party in case it rains? (Or at least a rain date?)
  • Is the music all set?
  • Are the activities all set?
  • Does the clean-up committee have the proper supplies?

By the time party day arrives, you'll know all your neighbors by now. Maybe even too well.