How about having a Virtual party? After all, we do need some cheering up now and then! Internet has changed the world into a global village, changed our lifestyle,and has also made it possible for us to have friends from all over the world! So why not get together with our global pals for a fun filled party to lift up our spirits?

What’s a Virtual party? It’s an online e-party where friends from different locations around the world meet at the same time for Video Conferencing! Of course, you do need a webcam. Doesn’t this sound real cool? You can chat, tease, and even dance together!

For a Virtual Party you need:

1. Desktop or Laptop computer
2. Webcam
3. Microphone and headphones for voice chat
4. MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger or Google's Gmail video chat
   
5. Any one of the free soft wares like Skype , Paltalk or Eyeball

That’s it! That’s all you need for the Virtual party!

Hosting a great party is all about creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere, so that everyone has a good time. A lot of planning and organizing will give a special touch to your virtual party.

Here are some tips to make your virtual party a huge success.

• Create a Guest List
The real secret to a successful party lies with the guest list, because it's the people who make the party. Make a list of your international friends to be invited.

• Party Planning
Fix a date and time. Check out the time zone (never forget that you are relating to global friends)

• Party Dress Code
Whatever fancies you - be it casual, dressy or even national attire! Want a color code? Fine, just go ahead.

• Send out Invitations
Send out online invitations by e-mail. There are many free party e-cards available on the web that you can personalize and jazz up .The style and look of your invitation, gives the guest a preview to your event. Make sure you inform your guests about the duration time of the party so that they are able to put aside that time frame for the party.

• Start organizing.
Plan ahead. It makes all the difference. Browse for some fun sites and book mark them. Search for sites where they deliver virtual flowers as well.

• Party Atmosphere
Create a fun and relaxed atmosphere so that everyone has a good time. Your guests have the option to make their own choice regarding the atmosphere. Poolside? Fine. Garden? Good. Terrace? Wow. Bedroom? Sure. Living room? Why not? Each guest is free to choose their own venue for the party as long as they are able to get power to their computers.

• Party jokes
Browse online for some good tasteful jokes to be used as ice breakers! Save the jokes. You can always copy and paste it, in the course of chatting! Also have some good quotes and references, tucked away and you can type it in now and then. Viola, there..there..you will impress your friends with your, ahem…knowledge!

• Online caterers

Browse for sites where they deliver virtual pizzas, chocolates and ice-creams.
You can arrange your own virtual pizza and send it from this site - http://www.superpizzas.com/
Go to http://www.virtualchocolate.com/cpass/ for the yummiest mouthwatering virtual chocolates and desserts. Make your choice!
Choose your own icecream sundae from http://www.cybercones.com/

Done! That’s settled. Well, your caterers are fixed! A real big load off your shoulder.

• Some extra fun

If you are game enough you can even have a food fight! This site has some great food waiting to be used in the fight! Go to http://www.foodfighting.com/ Here, you choose a food to throw and throw the food by email!Sounds fun!

Some important don’ts :

1. Don’t waste time cleaning up the whole house.
2. Don’t bother dusting behind your computer. Your webcam cannot capture behind your computer.
3. Don’t bother to do the dishes. Your piled up kitchen sink is out of range of your webcam.

• Party Music
Music is the soul of parties.If you want to dance,let all the guests tune in to the same Radio playstation and dance away.You can watch each one dancing!

• On the day of the Party

Fix your lipstick, run through your hair and apply nail polish. Never forget that your hands are so very visible as you work on your keyboard.
Now you are ready for the party!

Some important tips to welcome your guests when they arrive:
Send them virtual flowers.
Give them a virtual hug.

Well, now that you have the basic tips for a virtual party, use your imagination and create more online fun activities. Enjoy your virtual party! The cost of virtual parties goes well with the present recession times as well!Have fun!

Copyright © 2009 lyla. All Rights Reserved