Party for the Party

 

Words: Nakita Ardern

I’ve found that with age my interest in politics has increased – a trend I’m sure is not unique to this loyal National supporter. As we mature we begin to actually care who runs our country, who decides the speed we drive, the rate we’re paid and the amount we pay to see a doctor.
It’s for this reason that ‘election night parties’ bring up thoughts of seasoned businessmen (activists in a previous life!) and their wives mixing and mingling to the tunes of Barry Manilow, whiskey in hand, debating the reasons why David Lange’s cutting wit and eloquence will forever be unmatched in New Zealand politics.
But 2011 will be the year I throw my own celebratory election night gathering for friends and family to get behind and support the leaders of our great nation (and show the Yanks us Kiwis know a thing or two about patriotism). And although it’s a given my peers will turn up for the chips and dip more than the riveting political discourse, I’m confident John will be pleased with the extra votes I’ve influenced to come his way.

Planning your own Election Night Party
Before you get your blue, red, green or whatever coloured decorations strung, make your peace with the fact that although your party may not win, tomorrow will be another day, and life (with or without tax cuts) will be sufferable.
Preliminary results are released progressively from 7.00 p.m. on Saturday, 26 November. By 10.00 p.m. half of the general election results will be known and by 11.30 p.m. the ruling Government for the next three years will be known.

The scene is set
Unlike watching sports events, any size TV will do for the elections. Then you’ve got to decide whether you’ll listen to the journalistic expertise of One’s Mark Sainsbury or TV3’s John Campbell. Or if you have a television and a computer you can put your preference on the big screen while keeping an eye on what the other has to offer on the smaller. It might also pay to have one person in charge of monitoring internet results.

Consumer’s choice
Which political party you’re going for could be the theme of your food for the evening. Those supporting National would bring blueberries or cupcakes frosted with blue icing and Labour supporters would bring strawberries and red jelly shots. Encourage your guests to be creative, but without going overboard – having giant bowls of chips dyed green may result in a lot of uneaten food.

Liquor license
Again you could assign your guests beverages relative to their party of choice (red wine, lime fizzy, and so on). Overall you want something you can drink for the duration of the night without becoming incapable.
Some healthy competition
With five and a half hours of election night results to enjoy (or endure?) it would help to have a few light party games to keep your guests entertained.
Election phrase bingo only works if everybody is sitting still and concentrating; likewise Prime Minister Trivia.
For regular, lawless guests who won't concentrate on anything, try upping the stakes a bit with gambling – some kind of sweepstake where everybody is matched to an MP who they wear on a badge, and then if you win you get a few bucks and a big cheer.

A few other ideas for election night party games include:
Elect your own party master
This game is only for the serious political party goer! A mock debate is held on the virtues and vices of every aspect of the party. Are the appetizers too colourful? Are the drinks strong enough? Each candidate gets five minutes to say what he or she would change about the food or drinks at the party, and to argue their case. Once the debate ends the polls open, and the guests elect their Party Master. An acceptance speech is mandatory!

My Deputy Prime Minister is …
Every guest nominates his/her own Deputy PM, which they write on a piece of paper. Guests also have to explain why they chose that person – Deputy PM picks can’t be anyone else in the room, and the funnier the better, so celebrities, neighbours and co-workers who aren’t present are all fair game. Each guest then tries to match the other guests with their Deputy PM pick and the person with the most correct matches wins a prize.

Political charades
This is your basic charades game with a political twist. Each guest draws a political character or scenario out of a hat, acts out the clue, and the rest of the room guesses what it is. Hone Harawira is a must card!

Free speech
Ensure your election night party is a democratic environment. Imagine everybody's rooting for one side, then it turns out there is someone who definitely isn't, and they either get incredibly defensive and start trying to talk about policies, or else they're very quiet and furtive. This is a night to celebrate so be open to free speech.

All good things come to an end
Accept that your guests will leave when they want – and don’t try to fight it. The chips and dip will only last so long and politics isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. Aim to end the party when the official results are in. In the meantime be prepared by replenishing the food, and if serving alcohol have a designated driver standing by.