Ruthlessness is the first attribute towards the achievement of a perfect party. Also, one should have practically no really established “position”—by that, I mean in the world of finance, religion, or diplomacy. If you are officially associated with any one of these worthy métiers, then give up the idea forever of achieving a party, for official functions should be added to the list of Horrors of the Inquisition.
Snobs, also, are curiously incapable of gaiety, perhaps because gaiety comes from the soul, and snobs only take their soul “a la Meunière.” Also, snobs are as busy nicking notches on each rung of the social ladder as the gangster nicks each kill on his gun. I have always thought that snobs are as cruel as gangsters, anyway—certainly, they hold up a party in the same way.
Wealth does not play a large role, either, toward the giving of a good party. Many of the great and glorious artists in that wonderful world of make-believe—without whom no party can be a success—with that true generosity known to them alone, will step immediately into the breach, should a party lag ever so little, and with royal prodigality scatter their genius or their laughter in the face of impending ennui. The party immediately takes on a new lease of life and never ends—that is, if it is the party of a friend. Money cannot buy this—it can only be given.
Then there is the deliberately casual hostess, who prides herself in letting her guests do what they want. This is a great mistake. No guests want to do what they want—everything must be done for them at a successful party.
Also, guests should be selected for their human attributes. If celebrities, they should be human ones, and never, under any consideration, should one dull person be allowed to darken your doors, no well-known bores, nor tiresome snobs.
A good party should occur in one room only, and that room should always be too small for the number of guests invited. A party given in a house where there are several small rooms, though adjoining one another, has no possibility of success. That is why a party given in a large house is generally a failure. Also, the room in which the party is given should be brightly illuminated. It is a mistake to have dim and soothing lights.