Looking after guests can be a complicated issue - sometimes even an art. What do you say? How do you act? what should you do? Awkward silences and tense conversations can often ruin a special occasion. However, there is one secret to keeping your guests happy - keep them entertained. Entertained guests are happy, content and lighten up any kind of atmosphere. If you're throwing an event, whether it's a birthday party, an office party, a house-warming party or whatever else, here are some tips to help you entertain your guests.

[edit] Steps

Use the largest space available to throw your party. Use the largest room, if you're having the party at your house. This may not be the most entertaining space, but the most important thing is the size of the space. You can bring party items into the room, like a means of playing music, a table for the food and places for people to sit and play games.
- If you would rather not use the inside of your home - and if you have a large enough garden - you could host a garden party or a barbecue.
Provide drinks and food. Be sure to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions when issuing invitations to the event and adjust your menu accordingly. Be sure to provide food and drink that everybody likes - you don't want to fork out for a long menu and then have one or two people just picking at it.
Play music; it will add to the atmosphere and get people in the mood. Choose music that everyone will like - not extremes of musical taste. You could hire a disk jockey, or if you keep music on your computer, bring it into your entertaining room so people can choose what they want (Vista, for example, has a brilliant party feature in Media Player).
Provide party games, and if you don't have your own, buy or borrow fun games like Twister, dance mats like in the arcade, or a video game. Keep things simple - the simpler the party game is, the easier it is for people to get enthusiastic and competitive.
Introduce your friends to each other, if you are entertaining groups of friends from different areas of your life. If you are inviting friends from work as well as friends you know from school or college, for example, then understand that you should make them all feel comfortable. If the crowd is large, then supply name tags, but if it is a small group, then introduce each of them to each of the others.
Talk to everyone.thank them when they arrive and take their coats if applicable. Listen to what they have to say - try to use little indicators like "I see;" and "That's interesting;" to indicate that you are paying attention and your mind isn't wandering which will seem rude.

[edit] Tips

Theme your event. It could be fancy dress like "Vicars and Tarts", Sixties, Surf 'n' Turf, t-shirts and shorts, superheroes, celebrities, a themed colour for costumes or have a particular piece of clothing, like hats- make it as silly or as strange as you like.
- Be sure to indicate the theme on your invitations - if nothing is specified, you can expect people to arrive in smart-casual attire (a smart shirt or blouse) and comfortable trousers.
Enjoy a get together with friends, by organising a 'chip in' party, where each friend brings either food, drinks or a dessert.

[edit] Warnings

Inform your neighbours of when your event will take place (they may even join your party). Warn them if there will be music, or if it will be outside in your garden and about the extra parking spaces that may be needed.
- If you are holding a barbecue, be sure to inform them of the smoke so they can close any windows that will be in the vicinity (it might be a good idea to place the barbecue further down your garden, away from the houses to avoid this situation).
Consider the weather if your event is being held outside. You can buy or borrow patio heaters for colder months and a gazebo in case it rains.