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The Sims: Legacy Edition includes all of the original expansion packs such as Livin’ Large, Hot Date, and House Party. The House Party pack introduced a new way for your Sims to throw parties, allowing them to host various types of events (with varying degrees of success).
Throwing a great party can be more challenging than it seems. The Sims: House Party doesn’t provide specific objectives for hosting the ultimate gathering, so you’ll have to rely on some trial and error. And don’t forget to watch out for uninvited guests!
How to Host a Party
To host a party, your Sim needs a telephone. If you don’t have one yet, go to Buy Mode and purchase one from the electronics section. Once you have the phone, just select it and choose the "Throw Party" option.
When you initiate a party, your guests will arrive promptly. Keep in mind that you can’t schedule parties in advance, so use this option when you’re ready. You also won’t be able to select the guest list.
Invitation Tips
If you want a specific Sim to attend, don’t just open the floodgates and hope for the best. Instead, call them directly using the "Call Neighbor" interaction on the phone.
Throwing parties is a fantastic way to meet neighbors and local Townies, especially when your Sim is still making friends. It’s also effective for fulfilling their social needs, particularly if neighbors aren’t keen on chatting over the phone.
Greeting Your Guests
Make sure to greet your guests as they arrive; otherwise, they may choose to leave. If you miss the chance, don’t fret—simply throw another party. Hosting parties comes at no cost, so it’s easy to try again.
Hiring Services for Your Event
While you’re on the phone, it’s an excellent opportunity to hire some services. You can order pizza or hire a caterer to manage the food and drinks for your guests.
When you select the phone again, use the "Services" option. You can hire a caterer for 350 Simoleons, or get pizza for 40 Simoleons. Remember, a caterer requires a buffet table and/or a punch bowl to serve food.
Catering Costs
Caterers charge a fixed fee and will replenish the buffet and drinks as often as needed without extra cost. If you choose to refill them yourself, doing so will cost you 100 Simoleons for the buffet table and 25 Simoleons for the punch bowl each time.
How to Plan Themed Parties
Sims can also host themed parties if they have the Porta-Parody Costume Trunk. You can buy this trunk from Buy Mode, place it in the world, and instruct a Sim to use the "Open Trunk" option. After opening the trunk, click on it again and select "Dress In" to pick a theme.
Here are some available themes:
- Beachwear
- Clubwear
- Costumes
- Disco
- Formalwear
- Swimsuits
- Togas
- Westernwear
Once a theme is chosen, both your household and guests will change into their themed outfits. Just be sure to wait until your guests have arrived before doing this; otherwise, you might find that many of them aren’t properly dressed!
Tips for Throwing an Amazing Party
To throw a fantastic party, you need to ensure your guests have their needs met and be mindful of timing, allowing them to enjoy themselves before heading home.
Sims can only autonomously take care of their needs if the necessary items are available. So, equip your house well for the party! If you realize you’re missing something, you can access Buy Mode at any time.
Basics for a Successful Party
At the very least, your party should include food, entertainment, and bathroom facilities. This setup addresses your guests’ hunger, fun, bladder, and hygiene needs. A well-decorated space with places to sit will also enhance the experience.
Food Options for Parties
For feeding a large number of Sims, a buffet table is ideal. You can find options under Misc Appliances in Buy Mode. The Punchucopia Extraordinaria drink fountain is another great addition for parties. Sims can help themselves at the table or a caterer can handle food preparations.
Catering Benefits
Caterers are also helpful for cleaning up food messes, which can be a relief during busy parties. While it may be a bit pricier, it’s worth considering if you want to throw a successful event.
Fun Activities for Parties
The heart of a party is fun, so make sure to turn on the stereo. Investing in high-quality sound systems or even a DJ booth will keep guests entertained and meet their fun needs faster.
To amplify the music experience, consider placing speaker stacks around the room. When the stereo plays, the speakers will work in tandem to boost the party atmosphere.
Dancefloors and cages also enhance the fun factor and encourage Sims to get up and move. You can find these in the Electronics section under Entertainment in Buy Mode.
Alongside these, think about adding hot tubs for comfort, fun, and hygiene, or group activities like darts or pool tables. The House Party expansion offers several group games that help keep guests entertained.
Managing Bathrooms at Parties
Bathrooms can become a significant issue during gatherings, so consider investing in additional portapotties and sinks if your household budget allows. The B.A. Drain Outhouse 3000 and ResiStall Parti-Potti are excellent choices as they offer privacy and can fit in your garden.
If your Sim’s house has a couple of bathrooms, you might be fine. However, if you only have one or two, you could find lines forming quickly. Not having enough bathrooms can easily dampen a party’s spirit.
How to Decorate for Your Party
Ensure the party area is pleasant and well-decorated to keep the excitement high. If you party outdoors, inexpensive flamingos can elevate the decor. You can also use balloon sculptures as affordable indoor decorations.
After the event, if you don’t want to keep the decorations, you can sell them for some return on your investment or use cheat codes for extra Simoleons.
When to Host Your Party
It’s best to throw your party early enough in the evening. Guests will begin leaving if the event runs too late, typically around 12 AM to 1 AM. If you’ve hired a caterer, don’t bring them in too late or you’ll lose your money.
To maximize fun, consider starting your gathering in the afternoon or early evening, giving guests ample time to mingle.
How to Know if Your Party Was a Success
You’ll know your party is turning out well if celebrity Drew Carey arrives in a limousine, prompting all your guests to rush outside. A notification will pop up indicating he was brought by his agent.
On the flip side, if a mime shows up instead, your party is likely going downhill. While you can ask the mime to leave, they won’t go until the fun levels rise again. Engage your guests in conversation and activities to drive the specter away.
By following these tips, you’ll set your Sim up for a successful and memorable party. Happy hosting!
