How To Entertain: We Confess Our Biggest Party Disasters

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Flickr photo by x-ray delta one

There are many ways to end a party: Dimming the lights, wrapping up the refreshments, dressing up for bed, or maybe just stopping the music. And then there are the unintentional ways to end a party, like not having enough snacks (we've all attended the party where everyone got tipsy within an hour, thanks to an empty stomach), or worse, somebody letting their dinner make a return appearance. Ahem.

Both incidents have happened to people we know, who have decided to share their battle stories under the condition of anonymity. And though their stories are some of the worst we've heard, let us not forget the other incidents we've all witnessed. Since knowledge is power, feel free to add your story to the slideshow by clicking on "Add Slide." Share away!

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From an anonymous attendee:

I recently went to a friend's moving party that, by the time I arrived, involved five drunk people in the kitchen and one man in the yard who cornered me with a sales pitch about the USB adapter he sells for his company. This was around midnight, mind you. I was dying--DYING--of boredom. And hunger. The only snack was a mostly eaten too-salty nacho cheese dip served with Cheetos. Separately those things are delicious; together they are depressing. The lights were on too bright and no one was dancing and one of the roommates (!) requested that we turn off the music altogether so she could go to bed. Not a good sign.


Our advice: Arriving too late to a party is almost as bad as arriving too early. Only when you arrive early, there's food. And there's no drunks wafting about. Still, if this happens to you, steer clear of the ridiculously inebriated, stay for one drink and then head out to the nearest fast-food joint. After midnight, your concern is food, not health.

Flickr photo: jronaldlee
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garystartswithg
el sueno de la razon produce republicans
08:10 PM on 01/01/2012
I catered a party and the host passed out drunk under the dining room table. That was fun.
04:31 PM on 12/31/2011
When I was a junior in high school I moved to a new town with my parents, I felt odd when I was invited to a party on a school night. Being new, I did not want to seem unfriendly so, I decided to invite a male friend I trusted who had already graduated two years before.

When we arrived there was plenty of food, pop, and music, but the only party guests were about dozen males. They were obviously disappointed that I had brought a male friend. My friend and I waited for others to arrive while snacking on the chips and dips, and sipping pop. The party guest began making off-colored jokes, and trying to toss popcorn down my top. When I found out that nobody else had been invited to the party, I excused myself and we left. I always wondered what would have happened to me if I had gone alone!
03:24 PM on 12/31/2011
To the idiot who had to run out for ice in a snowstorm, why did you have to run out for ice snow would have worked just as well. I understand the health concerns but in a bind why not?
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Brie Dyas
02:18 PM on 01/01/2012
I'm thinking that city snow (this occurred in Brooklyn) isn't something one would want to try in a drink.
garystartswithg
el sueno de la razon produce republicans
08:08 PM on 01/01/2012
awe Brie, so its a little discolored and stuff. maybe the added bits will add hints of forest floor to the punch. or asphalt.
03:04 PM on 12/31/2011
I hosted a family-type party and invited my sister and her husband and children. I was mortified when her youngest began telling racist jokes, using words like "ch*nk," "sp*c" and "n****r." He was only 11 and probably didn't know any better, but, it was a good bet he had told (or heard) those jokes at home and that his parents were apparently okay with it. Many of my other guests were clearly uncomfortable and almost no one was laughing. I was embarrassed that this kid was part of my family.
03:38 PM on 12/31/2011
And that kid you were so embarresed by will end up being the best kid in the family.
02:28 PM on 12/31/2011
I'm a caterer, we were doing a wedding reception. Great location, an old castle on the coast. The Mom of the bride had gone all out for a "Martha Stewart look". Chair covers, ice sculpture with boiled shrimp, open bar, beautiful dresses. The bride arrived and changed her shoes to cowboy boots, grabbed a long neck beer bottle and the party was off. Women were using the men's restroom because of long lines making it coed. Dirty dancing followed more shots (alcohol). We had cleaned up and trying to leave, groomsmen were head butting the sculpture, trying to break it. Grooms Mom was in the grass on all fours vomiting, her dress slit, in back, revealing way to much. One groomsmen had poured all the water from the sculpture all over him. Imagine how that smelled the next day (shrimp water). Real class act.
01:45 PM on 12/31/2011
Maybe she should have thrown herself in front of the Focus!
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Ronald Ferreira
01:37 PM on 12/31/2011
if she wasent abusive shed still have her phone today
12:37 PM on 12/31/2011
And this is all why I don't go any more. To much crap out there now!
12:30 PM on 12/31/2011
If those are party disasters, my party stories must be apocalypses. Those stories are just minor blips.
ae12wrangell
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
02:10 PM on 12/31/2011
Share one
This comment has been removed due to violations of our [Guidelines]
11:44 AM on 12/31/2011
There is nothing rude about asking people who were not invited to your party to leave, especially if they are being obnoxious. As a matter of fact, even if they were invited, they have no right to harass other guests.
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jacmed
71, female - whatever happened to common sense?
11:30 AM on 12/31/2011
Threw a Valentine's Day party for 16 people (including me and spouse), all fourteen friends said they'd definitely come because they loved my parties - especially the food. I made 16 Cornish hens with all the trimmings. I was left with 12 of them - only two people showed up. I phoned the others - 4 no answers, 2 "I forgot," and 6 said they were just too tired to go out so they were staying home. The party wasn't a disaster, 12 of the friends were - needless to say, the word "were" is appropriate because they are no longer friends.
03:50 PM on 12/31/2011
At least the leftovers were great I bet !
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jacmed
71, female - whatever happened to common sense?
04:09 PM on 12/31/2011
True, SamKatt! They were - the couple who came took 8 of the 12, with trimmings, home. They invited their in-laws for lunch the next day.
10:26 AM on 12/31/2011
Dont think shes ready for a new one ...lol
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qsfoxx
still chasing the wascally wabbit...
09:04 AM on 12/31/2011
The party is officially over when the host descends the stairs wearing an old fashioned nightshirt (purchased just for such occasions) winding up his equally old fashioned alarm clock and yawning noticably.
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qsfoxx
still chasing the wascally wabbit...
09:01 AM on 12/31/2011
who me?

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