a girl’s guide to parties
how to be a great guest, be a happy hostess, and have fun at any party
by Apryl Lundsten illustrated by Angela Martini
Published by American Girl Publishing, Inc. Copyright © 2010 by American Girl, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Questions or comments? Call 1-800-845-0005, visit our Web site at americangirl.com, or write to Customer Service, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562. EISBN: 978-1-60958-129-9
All American Girl marks are trademarks of American Girl, LLC.
Editorial Development: Carrie Anton Art Direction and Design: Cesca Piuma, Chris David Production: Tami Kepler, Judith Lary, Sarah Boecher, Jeannette Bailey Illustrations: Angela Martini
Always ask an adult to help when you see this hand or when a project seems too difficult to complete on your own.
Dear Reader,
Parties are a great way to celebrate important occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations—but they’re also good for recognizing smaller wins in life such as acing that math test you studied so hard for or performing your first dance recital in front of a huge crowd.
In this book, you’ll find all kinds of party-going and party- throwing tips so that you can have the best time possible at any party, whether you’re a guest or the hostess. You’ll also learn the answers to such party questions as:
How can I meet people at a party where I know only the hostess?
What happens if I get homesick at a slumber party?
How do I decide who to invite to my birthday party?
What do I say to a guest who gave me a gift I don’t like?
You’ll hear from girls just like you about how they handled their own party predicaments. And you’ll also get the scoop on what to do if you’re not invited to a party, what to expect at boy-girl parties, suggestions for do-it-yourself gifts, and how to write the perfect thank-you note.
So turn the page and get ready to party!
Your friends at American Girl
contents
guest guide
on the guest list
left out
know before you go
getting dressed
quiz: what kind of guest are you?
don’t know anyone? don’t worry!
conversation starters
be a great guest
party cliques
oops!
a sleepover story
what to pack
do’s and don’ts
bedtime blues
dinner parties
gabbing with grown-ups
quiz: food for thought
formal events
nifty gifts
thrifty gifts
hostess handbook
party planning
too many friends
party on a budget
quiz: how big of a bash?
getting ready
good times
party play-by-play
too many choices
party pitfalls
games to play
quiz: the perfect party for you
your slumber party
your boy-girl party
ideas for your boy-girl party
your parents’ party
yay! presents
thanks
Guest Guide
This section is your go-to guide for everything you need to know about being the perfect partygoer. You’ll find tips about how to RSVP (yes, we’ll tell you what it means!) and what to do if you get invited to a party but your best friend doesn’t. Plus, there’s a quiz to help you figure out what kind of party guest you are, ideas for making conversa- tion with someone you just met, and advice on how to deal with all kinds of “oops!” party moments.
you’re invited
your guide to being a great guest
on the guest list
Yay! You’ve been invited to a party! Excited? You should be! But before the fun can begin, there’s something all guests must do: RSVP ASAP!
RSVP stands for “répondez s’il vous plaît” (pronounced rey-pawndey seel voo pleh), which is French for “please reply.” It’s important to