How to Host a Pregame

A pregame should never be under-valued. It is the number one determining factor in how your night will proceed. Y
ou might wonder, well how in the world am I supposed to fork out enough money to ensure the awesomeness of my pregames for an entire year? If there is one thing you learn from this article, I hope it is that top-notch pregames are not about money. They are rooted in some minor pre-pregame planning that will allow the actual event to just “go” and evolve spontaneously… and awesomely. And so, here are my guidelines for how to host a bomb-@$$ pregame.
 
You absolutely must be equipped with the following:
 
Music.
Plastic cups and Sharpies.
Paper towels.
 
First and foremost, a pregame, in its most affordable state, must be a BYOB affair. Of course, to be an A plus, five-star hostess with the mos
test, you should certainly provide some of the beverages, but plan on watching your entire stock of alcohol disappear before your eyes. In asking your friends to BYOB, you will be exponentially multiplying the variety and quantity of booze while subtly hinting that people should not depend on your wallet alone to support an army of raging college kids.
 
Second, and equally essential, is your music. This playlist must appeal to all your guests, so keep in mind that
not everyone wants to hear every Brittany Spears song (I admit, I have 97 on my ipod) that you love to dance and sing to in secret. If it is a power hour, create a playlist (beforehand!) online that will automatically run one-minute clips of sixty itunes songs from your library. Simply Google that shit. It’s free, and it will permit you to actually be a part of your pregame rather than gluing yourself to the ipod, timing every minute for the entire hour. Once the hour of power ceases, you should have another playlist set and ready to go. Play a variety of songs that people know and can sing to. Inebriated college kids love to sing. This, I think, is a fact. Your music could make or break the pregame. And remember, the pregame sets the mood for the night, so do it right!
 
Third, party-proof your room before your friends arrive. Empty your trashcan to make room for plastic cups,
stow away any “special” belongings you wouldn’t want destroyed, and set out every shot glass you own. Pull out the plastic cups and set sharpies next to them for your guests to label their drinks, if they choose. Also note, plastic cups are easily washed with soap and reused! They can also be placed in a dishwasher if that will make you feel more “sanitary.” Finally, make sure you have paper towels in arms reach at all times, unless you want that frat-house beer stench soiling your carpet for the remainder of the school year.
 
Last but not least, have fun at your own pregame. Do not be that hostess who is frantically trying to save her
living space from its demise. Do not be that hostess who feels obligated to tend to her guests’ every need. And absolutely do not be that hostess who thinks she should be “composed.” You are not hosting a prim and proper dinner party. You are setting the tone for the entire night out – it is a noble deed! You must set the bar for fun.
 
So go on and pride yourself in your talent for hosting a pregame that may likely out-do the actual night out. This is serious business that should never be taken lightly. Whether or not people ever give pregames the credit they deserve, at least you can have a sophisticated appreciation for the ability to create the perfect atmosphere for soon-to-be inebriated college kids with a passion for fun and social health.