I don’t think there’s a wrong way to throw a family party, but there’s definitely a right way. Some parties just have all the bases covered, and those are the ones you remember. From old traditions to new additions, here are eight must-haves for this special get-together.
1. The Right Food
Too many families make the mistake of churning out a ton of crappy food that no one wants. Sure, perhaps your family is made of chefs, but if it isn't, make sure that whatever people bring is the best dish they could have brought. If you've got that one cousin who makes a killer cheesecake, you have to make sure that cheesecake gets made instead of their new crappy recipe for rhubarb pie. If you think that's not your responsibility, you've probably been missing out on some cheesecake.
2. Your Crazy Uncle
You know the one. I'm sure you're saying to yourself “all of my uncles are crazy,” but you know deep down that one of them belongs in an insane asylum. You never want to interact with him, but it's hilarious to watch everyone else push his buttons.
3. Alcohol
What's the fun in having your crazy uncle around if you can't make him drunk enough to tell awesome war stories that can't be his because he was never in the military?
4. That One Wacky Tradition
For my family, it's all about the giant Silly String fight. It's all-out war. There are no rules, and there's no such thing as foul play. At the Christmas party, we always do a grab bag. The trick is always to keep your present half wrapped so you can do a blind trade with someone who doesn't want his. When I was a kid, I got a kick out of trading a fruity soap bar to my crazy uncle for some Silly Putty.
5. The Newbie
Whether it’s your sister’s new boyfriend who your uncles make fun of for being a lightweight or your cousin’s 1-month-old baby, the newbie is just the right amount of unfamiliar for a reunion. Even the weird ones like your great aunt’s new boyfriend who’s probably growing more than rosemary in his back yard are good to have. After all, what’s a family party if there’s no drama or entertainment?
6. The Games You Never Play Otherwise
Don't just cop out with Scrabble and Twister. Family parties are the best time to showcase a great new game. Bananagrams was such a big hit at our parties that my sister decided to make a lawn-sized version of it that would require teams of people to play with giant boards laid out across the lawn. If that's not your family’s thing, perhaps a rowdy game of dizzy bat or badminton would do the trick. Either way, you can't just have everyone sitting around talking politics, so make sure there's something to do.
7. Some Dangerous Fireworks
This might not be a must-have, and there's a good chance it isn't even legal where you are, but it's a cool thing to have if you can get it. Just be sure not to set yourself on fire.
8. The Late-Night Bonfire
Speaking of fire, why not a bonfire? It's perfect. You get to keep everyone out of your house while enjoying s’mores and roasted hot dogs that didn't get cooked at dinner. Combine this with a few night games like manhunt and alien, and you'll have everyone wishing they could host a family party this good.
