Last night was our holiday party, and like everything Sugar, it was fabulous! It wasn't your average, boring old event, it was a bowling extravaganza. The party was expertly planned by LilPeaPod [1] and held at the Presidio Bowling Center [2].

Hosting an event at a bowling alley is lots of fun — especially if you have a large group of people — because the activity unites party-goers. This type of party is wonderfully easy on the host as the cooking and cleaning is done by the bowling alley staff. For my tips on hosting a party at a bowling alley, plus a gallery of pics from the Sugar party, .

• Start planning early. Call the bowling alley at least two months before the party. This will ensure that you reserve the day and time you want. LilPeaPod called a month in advance and had to compromise by selecting a day that wasn't her desired night.
• Once you have the date reserved, go to the bowling alley and speak with the owners. Find out if you can bring decorations and what areas of the alley are off limits.
• If you want to have an open bar, work out the details. Every place is run differently, but the easiest way to host an open bar is to have the bartenders tally up drinks. When the night is over, they will tell you how much beer and wine was consumed, and how much you owe. You may also consider giving each guest drink tickets, and having the bartenders tally up how many tickets they were given.



• Make the food accessible. Print out a bunch of menus with the food listed. Provide pencils, have guests circle what they would like to eat, and give to the food staff. When their order is ready call their name over the bowling alley's loudspeaker. Alternatively, if you are on a budget, you can have your guests order and pay for their own food. Or provide a select amount of snacks from the menu. You may even consider food tickets.




• Have a tournament! Nothing gets a party going like a good competition. To encourage guests to participate, have prizes. Gift cards to Starbucks, Sephora, or Bloomingdale's make wonderful prizes.



• If gifts are involved — like our Secret Santa exchange — set up a gift station for guests to leave their gifts.
• Bring lots of quarters to enjoy the video games, candy vending machines, jukeboxes and Dance, Dance, Revolution [3].
• Remember to have fun! It's a party!