How to Throw an Awesome House Party

1) Keep the music only slightly louder than it needs to be. Your guests will be self-conscious if there isn't something to fill the conversational lull.

2) Keep the music eclectic. Shuffle it so that you have a little of this and a little of that. Try to appeal to as many different tastes and sensibilities as possible.

2) Bright lighting is a no-no. People are more apt to mingle when the light is lower and more subdued. Go a step further and upgrade to mood lighting, picking a color that suits the vibe in the room.

3) Stick to "finger foods". Nothing that requires plates or silverware beyond a toothpick.

4) Get creative with the furniture. Strew some cushions or bean bags on the floor for a relaxed setting.

5) Save the cleanup for after the party. Your guests will think you're being a buzz-kill if you start doing dishes mid-party.

6) Have a "party concept". Will there be Halloween costumes? An "Arabian Nights" theme? Some unique quirk? Come up with a concept that will set your soiree apart from ordinary parties.

7) Start spontaneously. Have your setting ready to go ahead of time, but instead of inviting everyone to arrive at a specific time, go out will a few of your friends and bring people back to your place. This way you won't have to wait around for it to get crowded.

8) Lock away anything fragile or valuable. Anything that could get broken or stolen needs to be out of harm's way.

9) Have a varied crowd. Mix a few artistic types with your mostly business crowd. Have hip-hoppers mingling with metal-heads. You guests should all bring something to the table.