What I have gleaned from watching the fabulous in action:

—Have plenty of booze at your party

—Invite a diverse group of people

—Make friendly introductions

—Make grilled cheese sandwiches

Man-about-town Manhattan Transfer (now ClusterStock’s John Carney) has provided a classic guide on how to survive holiday parties.

Here’s one of his gems of wisdom:

Scenario 1: You can’t remember the name of the co-worker you are making out with in the supply cabinet.

Try to keep her mouth occupied in ways other than talking. If necessary, call her “baby” and “beautiful.” In my experience you should never resort to “mami” unless you are of the Latin persuasion. The fact is she probably doesn’t remember your name either. Unless you are her boss. Then you’re fucked.

The Social Graces are not a myth. Despite the rude behavior of many, there are some rules, and the graceful Sloane Crosley gives us New Yorkers the skinny on “technetiquette“. [Published in 2004, this Village Voice article is still relevant. I added my notes in the brackets.]

1) Ideally, don’t use Evite. Send out a mass bcc’ed e-mail or pdf or invites on dead trees. If you somehow feel inexplicably drawn to the Evite, drop the irony act and make it as basic and functional as possible.

2) Forwards. Sloane proposes we use mass forwards for emergencies only. [With the current 2008 economic crisis, sent forwards if you may homeless, jobless or hungry. Your friends will help.]

3.Texting. Keep it simple, skip the conjunctions and the run-on sentences and remember that texting is more closely related to phoning than e-mailing.

4)Camera Phone. “It’s just a picture. Why not?” [Well, I think you should get picture approval if the pictures are going online anywhere. Or you can just stay at home.]

Update: Sloane is now author of collection of essays, I Was Told There’d Be Cake.

Here are a few tips that I have garnered from parties of late:

·When bringing a bottle of wine to a house party, look for wine with a funny name like Fat Bastard or Woop Woop. Your hosts will remember you!

·Be sure to greet the host and other guests before making a mad dash to the bar area.

·Play a fun game like Taboo at the party, but don’t get too hung up on winning. People tend to get competitive. Apples To Apples and Boggle are also fun games.

·Don’t reciprocate when a drunk-but-cute guest flirts with you in front of his girlfriend. (He will need assistance getting home, so let the girlfriend handle the bastard.)

·Offer to prepare a dish, but make sure it’s delish!

·Thanks your hosts and think of inviting them to your next bash if you have an apartment that fits more than you and your roommate.

Need a theme for your holiday party?

Here’s a few suggestions

*Tree Trimming Party (popcorn, cranberries, homemade ornaments)

*Christmas Lights Walking Tour (walk off a heavy meal and take great photos)

*Gingerbread House Party (baking and building)

*Cookie Exchange Party (or cupcakes and fudge)

*Winter Wonderland Party (the ultimate white party)

See more at this site.

Serena Bass will be speaking on December 13 at the W Hotel. Serena is one of the ultimate event and party planners.

[Editor's Note: I first started thinking about social media and innovation four years ago. in December 2004]

At first glance, this space will be for entertaining tips and great ideas. But wait, there’s more. It’s about thinking about social interaction, developing new ideas that spring from conversation, meeting new people, having a supportive creative network, appreciating the abundance and rejoicing in the now!