Tips for hosts

When you're having people over for dinner, a BBQ or just to catch up there's a lot to think about. If alcohol's included you're also going to want to think about making sure everyone (including you!) has a good time and that no one over indulges and gets hurt or in trouble. The following tips will help you and your guests have a great get together.

• Set your expectations in advance

  Be clear what you're inviting people over for - and what you're not expecting to happen. Think about who you invite, and if you know there are some people that are likely to get drunk talk to them in advance and put things in place to keep them safe.

• Watch your drinking

  If you're hosting, watch your own alcohol intake so that you can continue to have a great time keep an eye on everything.

• Plan to do things other than eat and drink

  The best bit about social occasions like parties and celebrations catching up with people and having fun. Plan entertainment or activities to get people up out of their chairs and talking and laughing. But don't mix alcohol with any potentially dangerous activities.

• Provide substantial food - not just chippies

  Chippies and rice crackers are not a magic sponge and we all know what can happen when people drink on an empty stomach. Whenever you're providing alcohol, provide food that stays in the body longer and takes time to digest like bread, pasta, spuds, meat and cheese. Make sure there is always plenty available and keep passing it around. And remember to have some vege options too! Ask people to bring a plate so you don't have to provide it all yourself. Try to avoid overly salty food that makes people thirstier.

• Serve more interesting non-alcoholic drinks

  It's surprising how people will really enjoy something like a grapefruit and tonic with a chunk of mint in it for a change.

• If you're serving spirits make them singles

  Some people count the number of drinks they have and if you serve them doubles they will end up drinking twice as much as they'd planned.

• Only refill empty glasses

  Wait until your guest's glass is empty before you re-fill it – and ask them if they would like another drink first. If someone says “no” to a re-fill, don't insist.

• Don't keep serving your guests until they are drunk

  If you see someone getting too tiddly, get them to ease off the alcohol and offer them some coffee or a yummy non-alcoholic cocktail instead. If you need to talk to guests about slowing down, always be discreet and treat them with respect to avoid confrontation.

• Don't host your party alone

  Ask family members or friends to help keep everything fun and in control.

• Try a themed party

  It's always tricky to come up with the perfect party theme, so why not road test a few of these: Karaoke, Vegetable, Heroes, Grunge, Quarantine, WWF, Kiwiana, Heart-throbs, Victorian, Cheap, Infomercial, WWW dot, Leopard print, Fans

• Push Play

  Get out all the old sports gear for a game of backyard cricket, touch, softball or frisbee.

• Make cocktails and serve in a punch bowl

  No-one really knows how much alcohol you've put in (or left out!).

• Appoint a bartender

  Have one person serve and if possible, measure the drinks rather than have a free-for-all. People normally pour themselves larger drinks than they would get in the hotel, making it hard to keep check of how much alcohol they've had.

• Look after young people around alcohol

  Keep an eye on everyone, especially young people around drinks. They're not as bulletproof as they think. Get them involved in planning the get together so they can help plan ways to avoid too much alcohol as well. And remember your children watch your behaviour. They are more likely to do as you do, not as you say.

• Supervise the kids

  If young children are going to be there make sure there's a responsible adult or older person looking out for them and providing entertainment.

• Set an end time

  Make a time for the party/BBQ to end and stick to it.

• Look after your guests

  Don't let them drive home if they have had too much to drink. Ensure they get a taxi or offer them a bed for the night. Don't let people walk home alone.