• Seven personality types required for the perfect atmosphere
• Food should be no bigger than three centimetres squared
• Guests should arrive 30 minutes after the official start time ‘Dancing Queen’ by Abba is top of the party playlist
   

Experts have teamed up with Privilege Home Insurance to reveal the formula for holding the perfect party, including the optimum time guests should arrive, the ideal number of drinks to serve each person and the personality types that should be present.  

When it comes to setting off on the right foot, there isn’t a perfect time for guests to arrive, but one should never be the first, according to celebrity party planner, Peregrine Armstrong-Jones, who conducted the analysis. 

Armstrong-Jones, who has orchestrated parties for Elton John, the Beckhams and Prince Albert II of Monaco, advises that – as a guest - it is best to arrive 30 minutes after the invitation start time, allowing hosts to see to any last-minute preparations, but avoiding being too late and appearing rude. 

The party planner asserts that the best first drink to serve your guests is champagne or prosecco, or a popular cocktail such as Kir Royale or a Mojito. However, a wide range of soft drinks should also be on offer, as well as red and white wine. 

According to Armstrong-Jones, the average number of drinks consumed by each guest is three per hour. Over a 5 hour party that’s up to 15 glasses or drinks per person, so you can see how alcohol quantities add up quite quickly, warns Armstrong-Jones.

The optimum party should have no end time and, when selecting the soundtrack for the most fun possible, the focus should be on music that everybody knows, ensuring that all guests can find some common ground and enjoy the music. Play hits that fill the floor not obscure tunes – even if you do personally love them - advises Armstrong-Jones. 

Dancing Queen by Abba followed by YMCA’s Village People and Staying Alive by the Bee Gees are the UK’s ultimate party tunes, according to a supporting survey of 2,000 adults. 

When it comes to food, whatever the occasion the focus should be on bite-sized canapés no bigger than three centimetres squared and the menu should never include garlic. 

Conversation-wise, the only topics that are off-limits as far as safeguarding a good atmosphere goes are personal or medical issues. 

The guest list is another area that has been analysed for the report by Privilege Home Insurance, with an optimum mix of seven different personality types needing to be present for a party to go off with a bang. 

Personality types required for the perfect party 
Source: Privilege Home Insurance

1) The Comedian 
Amongst your brightest guests, the comedian will use his or her wit to deflect digs, bring all other invitees into the conversation and lighten the mood. Party organisers should be warned, however – just like Chandler Bing from Friends, the comedian can be insecure, and worry that none of the other guests actually like them. 

2) The Link 
The most well connected of all guests, with an unbeatable knowledge of current affairs, the link is the social glue that binds a party together, just like Tom Hiddlestone in The Night Manager. 

3) The Model 
A naturally attractive person like Emma Watson who is beautiful on both the inside and out. Other guests love being in their presence because – by association alone – they feel more attractive. 

4) The City Boy
Just like Leonardo DiCaprio in Wolf of Wall Street, the city boy is a money man who is flash with his cash. He will ensure everyone else comes up to his level, not satisfied until everyone around him is having a good time. 

5) The Party Girl
A female counter to the City Boy, the party girl is someone everyone wants to be around, ramping up the atmosphere and ensuring a high-octane evening – just like Cara Delavigne. 

6) The Marrieds
Like Kate and Wills, marrieds settled, coupley behaviour plays a very important role in tempering the city boys and making sure a party plays out without incident. 

7) The Bohemian
Carefree and less successful than everyone else, the bohemian knows it and uses it to his or her advantage, bringing an element of quirky culture and off-beat style to an occasion just like Jemima Kirke’s character, Jessa, in Girls. 

UK’s Top 10 Party Tunes

Source: Privilege Home Insurance