If you're in your 40s what kind of parties do you like

[Takinguproom]

Just out of curiosity! What would your dream party consist of?

I went to a birthday/Halloween party last night. It was in a room in a pub. No food!! just a bar. A DJ and LOUD music. Most of the room was taken up by a dancefloor that was barely used while everyone sat on chairs squished up against the edges of the room where people had to scream at each other to be heard above the music no one was dancing too.
The room did look good though with Halloween decorations and everyone made an effort with fancy dress which was fun.

I'd much prefer comfortable sofas spread out, a great playlist or a jukebox, a small dancefloor. Volume a bit lower so I could catch up with the people I haven't seen in months. Food (I couldn't believe there was zero food last night!!), maybe some silly party or board games or cards for those that wanted to play, something from the host - maybe a little quiz or speech or... something. I think some sort of entertainment can help bring people together especially when lots of the people attending didn't know many of any others.
It probably doesn't help I don't drink booze anymore.

What does a good party consist of for you?

The type I'm not at and instead am in bed in my pj's listening to R4 by 8pm.

I like big gigs though, I'm not against loud music and fun. But we're not there to chat, we're there to sing together, dance and be entertained.

I think because I had kids in my early 20s I’m the other way round. I was a very well behaved student and in my 40s I want a party to be a dark and skanky rave where I dance 10 miles worth of steps and hobble to bed at 4am and spend all Sunday recovering, like today.

I'm late 40s. I like music that is familiar, cheesy or classic, 80s to current hits, not hard dance music. Lots of fun decor, lights, good quality finger food, a range of booze inc cocktail as I don't really like beer or wine. Decent amount of seating, perhaps a separate chill out zone, maybe something like a classic film playing silently on a projector at the back for something to distract you when you run out of things to say.

Some sort of theme to encourage dressing up (we went to a great Halloween party last night and it was definitely more fun to make costumes compulsory). Some sort of activity, good corporate parties I've been to have had magicians, ice rinks or circus acts but for an individual something like a quiz. I always like staying really late into the early hours where there are the die-hard stragglers chatting on sofas and you get to hear what people really think!

I also don’t like parties much. Too many years of dealing with drunks at work to enjoy being around loads of alcohol.
Dont get me wrong, I enjoy socialising and random conversations with new people but I have very little tolerance for drunk people anymore so probably a bit of a party pooper!

Hate parties.
small informal gatherings like a cream tea/ basic bread and cheese lunch at someone’s house are more my thing

I like a party that starts with time for chat but has goes on to some time for a dancefloor, maybe with a DJ. Our friends often have parties like that, was a bit disappointed when the last one never got to dancefloor stage!

I agree about the volume- I don't understand it, so many good events are ruined by music too loud.

☝️💯🤣

I’m 37 so not quite 40, but I love either raves/festivals and dancing to EDM until 5am, or house parties with a karaoke machine and talking absolute shit into the early hours.

The most boring parties are the over-organised ones with a hired space, catering and a band playing music no one would choose.

The kind where I can stay home and not have to go!

No, really, what I enjoy is small gatherings where I can sit down and actually talk to people and ideally where there is tea.

Ones in someone's house with food and drinks and music not too loud so you can talk but still music for dancing/singing along. Also enjoy board games at parties, especially if I don't know people as the game is an ice breaker - went to a party a couple of years ago where I didn't know anyone but joined a game of Secret Hitler and had a great time and got to chatting with people (and ended up finding out I had one degree of separation from one as he had done civilian service training with my brother)

A dinner party. 6 ideal so everyone can participate in the same conversation though 8 ok. Good food and wine. Don’t need more than background music and no need to dance or do games unless they are word games. Just good conversation and food.
But if I was to go to a party party I do not want the music drowning out the conversation and dance definitely not the main idea! Last one I went to was a friends 60th and I talked to some really interesting people. But I didn’t stay to the bitter end (though I walked so I could drink I can’t drink that much in company) so if there was a bit of dancing I missed it!

Ones where I can leave without fuss or stay and sit with a quiet drink and some good chat without too many wankers

I think your party sounds fine, OP. Board games and food sounds a bit juvenile for my taste.

I don’t like parties. I don’t think I ever have.
Sorry 😞