Questions about parties

[bshag]

Hi everyone...I have this great sim who is a party animal, which is a great trait btw.  She just gave her first party, but when she invited 6 sims, 10-11 showed up?    She cooked home cooked meal for party and needless to say there wasn't enough to go around.  No problem, no one ate anyway.    Why did so many show up, even a couple of aquaintances only as all the ones she invited were friends?

Second question, i have a great party area on the back deck of her house with a gorgeous pool.  Everyone stayed inside.  Good thing I believe in open floorplans or there would have been a tremendous amount of toe-tapping.  Why didn't anyone swim, or dance outside where the music was?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

[Carl]

I would also like to know why so many showed up. Are they family of the guests you invited? I'd check the friends list and see if it's households. Maybe some people bring a friend. I've been to a party in real life where 10 people were invited, tops and there were 45 there instead so I'm sure this is realistic.

I think that guests will tend to flock toward food and the person who threw the party, so maybe you should try having your Sim lead them out to the pool/deck area. Did you make it swimsuit-only as well?

[bshag]

Tks for the response Carl.  I just invited friends of her and her fiance, all co-workers of theirs.  I guess I can see where more would come and yes, that is like in RL. 

It was a swimsuit party and everyone showed in swimwear, which is a shame cause no one swam.    I take that back, only the teen who was inappropriate (I guess) swam, in his clothes.  Fiance followed him out to tell him he was acting rudely.    Neither one of them knew him. 

I'm going to try again and this time be out back on the deck to see if that helps.  Thanks for the suggestions.   

The party was a rousing success as everyone had a good time.  She is party animal plus having legendary host LTR.  I guess I'm gunshy about having parties as the ones in ts2 were so bad.

[wildredchild]

It is usually family members of invited guests that show up as extras.  I had one instence of a party crasher, but that was it. 

Happy Simming!

[JohnnyDiscard]

Most of my parties have extra attendees.  Sometimes they are family members or roommates of invited guests.  I had one inappropriate guest stranger show up.  He started at friend level due to my charisma and then gave me the "lost a friend" moodlet because of his rudeness.  I was shocked by that one.

As far as swimming goes, I had some swimmers enter my water torture chamber (it's an indoor pool until I wall in the unfortunate victim  ).

[Pam]

I almost always have extra guests show up, too.  Like everyone else, it's usually friends, roommates, partners, or family of the guests.  I've found that the guests always go to wherever the guest is, even if it's in the bathroom.  They just flock to the host.  So, be sure your host is where you want the party to happen.  Also, my guests always bring food, even if I provide it.  It's never a problem of running out.  I don't serve food at a birthday party because everyone is going to eat birthday cake.  The biggest problem I have with parties is everyone getting in each other's way, no matter how much space I seem to have!

[igzigpuff]

My Sim usually wants to cook a homemade meal for his/her party and I've had parties where practically everyone brings a dish of food or sometimes only one other person brings food.  I now have the buffet table handy in case I need more food in a snap! 

[Carl]

Hm good idea on the table. I never thought to do this until now, but I can make a storage shed to put things like the buffet table and bar that aren't always being used to get them out of the way

[Pam]

Just a note about the banquet tables.  You cannot put your own home cooked meal on a banquet table (in case that's what you're planning).  You can only click the table and have a meal magically appear for $250.

[Kreathyr]

Haven't had a decent party yet, but I'm planning a big one when the carpenter house is finally ready.
I hope to have a lot of extra guests/crashers, I think it will help on the charisma part 

[bshag]

I really love having parties in sims3, unlike sims2.  Since having such a good time at my funeral party, now I'm having parties all the time.

One observation, at the funeral party, only the invited showed up whereas at the house party, everyone and their brother came.    I love how this game has so many details.

My next adventure is to load up a firepit and hit the beach for a party!  Yay!

[Metropolis Man]

Parties are great in Sims 3. My Frank Frazetta painter sim in the Centurian's Solo Challenge threw quite a few epic parties towards the end of the challenge. I built a large addition to his starter home and eventually put in the expensive wall mounted plasma TV and 2 rows of the most expensive couches — so 6 sims could sit down and have a great time socializing and watching TV. Once everyone would show up I directed Frank to sit and watch TV. Then, I'd just click on 5 more sims for him to Invite to Join. So simple, but so effective. A buffet table was right in the room, the most expensive audio system was always playing, and there was a couple toilets close by. Plus, several of Frank's masterpieces adorned the walls, so everyone had great moodlets. Lots of fun.

[Carl]

I tried a home theater, but it seemed like my Sim was only building relationships with those sitting nearby. I was hoping the whole gang would gradually become friends, thinking it might be a great way to make multiple buddies at once. Turned out not so hot. Still, a great way to ensure that the party is a success if you can get that many Sims seated and having a good time.

[Metropolis Man]

Yeah, I agree, Carl. The technique I used above is better at maintaining and slightly strengthening already established relationships. I wouldn't use the technique to establish the initial friendship when targeted socials are much more effective.

[Carl]

Yeah I think the only way might be to have a high guitar skill and BE the entertainment. Let everyone gather 'round and dance to your smooth rhythms.. that's the only way I've seen. And, after the party you'd then get the bonus to relationship for throwing a great party. I think politicians should play guitar -- great fundraisers!