In a time when remote work, freelancing, and the digital nomad lifestyle are booming, it can be difficult to meet up with friends and colleagues in person. But, whether you’re backpacking across Thailand or abroad teaching etc. like some of my friends have done, you can still stay in touch with family and friends and have fun with it too. In this post, we consider Planning the Perfect Online Party. You can easily organize an awesome virtual party with family and friends.
Planning the Perfect Online Party
Activity Ideas For a Virtual Party
In addition to birthdays, weddings, etc. there are other times you might also like to arrange a virtual party. Let’s look at some of the great virtual party ideas, games, and online events you can consider to have fun with friends and family that you can’t physically meet up with.
Dinner Party
Pick a dish/cuisine and cook together, or simply eat while video chatting on Zoom or Google Meetings! You can plan it out or make it up as you go. If you and your buddies would prefer, order in food and talk whilst you dine in your respective homes.
Cocktail Hour
Dress up in your best holiday outfits and have an online cocktail party! To make it official, make adorable online party invitations and send them out through email or social media. Create a playlist that everyone can sync to, download some cool Zoom backgrounds, or even pay a bartender to offer a virtual mixology class to get the party started!
Games
Unfortunately, the majority of popular board games aren’t available online: moving chips around a board or distributing cards won’t work. But something can still be done. Play Alias, Mafia, show a word with gestures, or simply unravel a mysterious riddle. You could play any number of great free online party games. The evening promises to be really good fun.
Online Workshop
This is a great choice if you have a lot of free time and want to leave something as a memory of the meeting. Order an online master class in drawing, painting, needlework, dancing, literally anything you can do online as a group will work. Find an activity that you will all enjoy. There are a huge number of options to choose from.
Movie Marathon
This is an awesome low-cost idea: simply pick a film, put it on at the same time, and watch as if you were seated in front of a single screen. Laugh together, jump at the scary bits, and cling to pillows together, it can make for an amusing and enjoyable evening.
Have a Chat/Sing
If you don’t want to invent some kind of activity, you can simply have a chat. As the day/evening progresses, you might want to turn on the music and dance or try your hand at some online karaoke. That can always be great fun.
How to Plan an Amazing Virtual Party
Prepare Your Guest List
The online format allows you to invite people from other cities and other countries. Therefore, if you have long wanted to introduce different friend groups now’s the time.
Before sending out invitations, think about how to maintain a communicative balance. Don’t forget, not all friends will be suited to each others company. Otherwise, it may turn out that one of the extroverted guests will draw the entire focus of attention to themselves for a long time, and introverts who quickly get tired of communication will have nowhere to “escape”.
Get to Grips With the Technical Side
When planning the perfect online party the first thing you should do is choose a virtual event platform. Or, if you’re a technophobe like me get your partner to do it. Once you make a decision (besides Zoom, it could be your usual Skype, etc.), make sure you and all your guests understand how to use it. If you plan to invite older relatives, consider the option to record your screen on Mac or use Windows screen recorder in advance and make a mini-guide in a “follow the link, then click here, and then click here” format. This will make life easier for all.
Make Sure Your Internet is Up to Scratch
An online party can be ruined by poor internet. If the sound and graphics flicker, nothing will function. Therefore, go to the area of the house with the best signal. It will also be helpful to have a good headset so that everyone can hear each other clearly and outside noise doesn’t obstruct your communication.
Consider Your Neighbours
Arrange a cut-off time that suits all and isn’t too late or too early for each of your guests. Refrain from playing loud music, shouting, or jumping beyond that time. It’s important to keep in mind the comfort of the neighbors who share your apartment/home. If they’re not going to be taking part in your home-based entertainment they probably don’t want to have to hear.
Plan Your Party Flow
If you decide to host an online party, you’ll need to come to terms with two inevitable things beforehand. First, no matter how carefully you think about the development of events, something is bound to go wrong. Secondly, don’t overdo it. It can be hard to manage if there are too many people. Having a schedule for the evening can help keep conversation flowing and keep all involved.
Finally, keep in mind that the culture of online parties hasn’t yet developed and your guests may simply not understand how to behave so that everyone is comfortable. Therefore, it’s better to formulate a few simple rules and write them in chat: “Try not to speak at the same time – no one will understand anything”, “Turn off the microphone in Zoom if you don’t plan to speak right now – this improves audibility” and so on.
Consider Having a Dress Code
Despite the non-standard format, this is still a full-fledged event and it’s quite possible to create a holiday atmosphere. For example, it would be great if the guests “come” dressed up: bright makeup and catchy T-shirts are visible even in a small Zoom window and cheer up all the participants. It’s also a great idea to come up with a dress code – just like on Halloween. Also, remind your friends to take care of online party supplies – snacks and drinks.
In Conclusion
An online party is a unique experience that makes staying at home more enjoyable and means you can have fun with friends no matter where they are. After a traditional event, there are usually a lot of photos and videos. Don’t forget an online party can be recorded (this feature is available on Zoom and Skype) and watched over whenever you want. It makes a lovely keepsake of the event and you can even take screenshots to use in photo gifts for the attendees for birthdays or Christmas.
I hope you enjoyed reading my post Planning the Perfect Online Party. Do you keep in touch with friends and family online?
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This is a neat idea to keep everyone connected when we are separated either with corona or distance.
I think I’d prefer a virtual party to a real one. I can be an introvert so if I’m not feeling it, I can just leave! My daughter seems to have these parties with friends. I know a bunch of them get together and will watch movies and such.
I have never had a virtual party before! This seems like a fun experience and cant wait to try it!
An online party sounds interesting. While I would rather meet in person, I understand that not everyone can.
It is ideal when you can’t meet up and can be a nice way to catch up and have fun.
This is such a great ideal, I never thought about planning an online party. Now I know how because of this great post, thanks for sharing. I mean you have it all laid out, so cool
I love the idea of an online workshop and a movie marathon! What great ideas!
I have never thought of all these ideas. When covid was in full swing we played games over facetime and watched reality shows. lol Never thought of dinner and cocktail parties.
This is an interesting idea. I got used to Facetiming over the past couple of years when we had our lockdown, but I never thought of using it for more than just talking. Having a party seems like an amazing idea.
I loved our online parties during covid. They were amazing and the highlight of my week by far.
They can be fun and a great way to have a fun night without worrying about how you’ll get to a place and back again.
We’ve done quite a few things virtually over the past few years, plus we have a few friends who now live abroad so sometimes a virtual meeting/ drink/ activity works best x
Ohh yes online party is so much fun with a proper planning & preparation ahead. Thanks for this sharing, absolutely good one. Cheers Sienny
Bingo is a great game to play at an online party. There are plenty of apps to use and sites where each player can print off their own bingo cards
I never thought about an online party! I have had a Christmas online party and we used some of the same ideas as you.
Ive never heard of an online party until today. With technology, zoom will make it possible to connect with other families and friends easier.
It is really fun to do. You can do it for kids parties too.
We did a couple of online parties during covid, it was actually fun…Great tips! Will keep them in mind next time we plan for an online party.
This sounds like a wonderful idea! Also a great way to get together with family or friends and be really flexible with everyone’s availability!
Online party? I didn’t realize they were still a thing. We had so much fun at the online parties during the pandemic.
They sure are. It’s a great way to connect with friends that live abroad etc.
This is a great idea. Even though we’ve gone back to most things in person, we have kept up our zoom chats with our extended family that do not live close by. This would be fun to do with them!
It is such a great way to keep in touch and keep up to date with those that live far away.
These are great tips for planning an online party! We had an online party for my son a year ago and it was definitely different but overall, fun! We did run into technical issues as it was the very first time we ever did something virtual but once it was fixed, everything ran smoothly.
Maureen
These are great and I like the idea of preparing the guest list. Thank you for sharing!
Lots of fun ideas! We definitely did a lot of these during the pandemic and still do with friends and family far away. Such a nice way to spend time with each other and catch up!
This is so fun to do! I remember the last time we had a online video call with my whole family, we watched a lot of funny videos together we also try to do some games!
That is lovely to hear. It’s such a nice way to stay in touch with relatives and friends.
We haven’t done this, although we do online chats or message each other but I think having an Online party would be so awesome! I’m gonna suggest it to my friends! Thanks for sharing this!
Hope you have a great time. It is such a lovely way to catch up with people.
This is an amazing topic and you did such a great job considering every little detail. This will be the perfect checklist for everyone who needs to prepare and organize an online gathering.
We are thinking to meet online all the cousins. I think we need to consider to make a sort of party. I love the idea of a dress code!
Nnniiiccceeeee…I am so in for a movie marathon! I wouldn’t even blink, I think.
It’s funny how online parties are a thing now since lockdowns. These are some top tips to make it more fun!
I’ve participated in a few virtual parties now…. I zoomed in to my cousin’s bridal shower since I couldn’t be there in person and we had a wedding shower and baby shower for another cousin. My group did our book club via zoom for about a year, too. We all get our food and drinks ready and find a comfy chair to relax and chat together.
I’d definitely be down to go to an online party. It seems like a lot of fun, even if you aren’t “actually” there. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the tips and ideas and I agree that we shouldn’t stop celebrating these days, whether online or offline.
Yes there were the days when everything seems to be virtual. And when it comes to party we can’t think of virtual food so eating food during virtual parties is a great idea to enjoy the party with good food and chat as well.
These are brilliant tips, Mel! I am definitely finding myself attending more online parties in recent years. I will definitely be planning my own soon!
They can be really good fun!!!
I do keep in touch with my family and friends online. That’s the only thing we could do because I am more than 10,000 miles away from them. We’ve never tried having a party online, though. That would be fun.
It’s something I’m sure you’ll all enjoy.
I have never hosted an online party. This sounds like a fun way to put together a virtual gathering.
It really is, and you can work it around everyone’s preferences.
I’m kind of over online get-togethers after the pandemic, but this reinvigorates me! It’s a great way to catch up with family that is far away, too.
It is a great way to stay in touch and have fun with people you know around the world.
I didn’t hear about online party but it sounds fun. I will have to plan something like this soon.
They can be good fun. You can choose a range of themes.
I once had an online party at work and never thought I could enjoy that much!!
They can be really good fun.
My sister and I just had a talk about hosting an online virtual party at the coming Diwali (the biggest Indian) festival and see, here I got so many amazing ideas 😍! Having a dress code, playing games, movie marathon or singing songs sound great to me!
I hope you have a great time at the online celebration. I’m glad this post was helpful x
sounds great! we have friends on the other side of the globe and we enjoy some time together online with them. We go to movies and play board games online. D&D actually works pretty well that way. We did a cooking session once too but it’s very hard to arrange if you don’t have similar skills and access to products
That’s so lovely to hear Lyosha. It can be so much fun to do that.
I love the idea of a virtual party! Especially a movie marathon! How fun! I have family who live in a different country than I and that would be such a great way to still get to “hang out” with them. Thanks for the awesome idea!!
It is such a lovely way to keep in touch and have a great time too.
I have always been intrigued with an online party idea but never hosted one. Would love to plan and host one.
They can be really good fun. You should try it x
I know it’s an old post,but what great ideas for online parties,Covid lockdown seems a long time ago now
Thanks so much. I’m glad that was a while back now x