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KEEP DRINKS SIMPLE Of course, you’ll want to serve a few drinks along with these snacks, but don’t make it overly complicated. If you are feeling festive, find a signature cocktail that you

can batch ahead of time (i.e., sangria, margaritas), so all you need to do is pull it out of the fridge. Otherwise set up a bar with a few mixers, spirits, beer and wine (or some of the

above). You’ll also want to make sure to have nonalcoholic choices — lemonade, iced tea and water of course. And remember, “There is no such thing as having too much ice,” Scott-Goodman

says. PICK THE RIGHT GAMES You can choose to hire someone like Kissane to host games like Family Feud or Name That Tune if your budget allows — that way you aren’t in charge of keeping the

momentum going. If you’re looking for something more low-key, simply gather a variety of board games — old classics or new favorites. Some popular options are time-tested games like

Scrabble, Risk and Trivial Pursuit. But also consider newer options like Phase 10, Scattergories, Telestrations, Settlers of Catan and the racy Cards Against Humanity, which is aimed at

mature audiences. Matt Hendricks, owner of Thirsty Dice, a board game café in Philadelphia, recommends a few picks you may not have heard of, including Wingspan, a tabletop game that he

describes as “calming with a competitive side.” “Players are bird enthusiasts who aim to score the most points, which players do by filling habitats with birds, laying eggs or using birds’

special abilities,” Hendricks says. He also recommends the game Super Mega Lucky Box, a fun spin on Bingo. Card games can be a fun pick too — Euchre, Canasta, Poker, to name a few. Just make

sure you are opting for interactive games that the group is either familiar with or a new game that is easy to learn quickly. Whatever game you play, Scott-Goodman has some sage advice for

hosts: “When the party starts, be in it.” After all, you’re there for a good time, too.