Everyone knows that perennial cry of chil­dren. "Oh, Mother, what can we do?" As a matter of fact, this aimlessness isn't confined to the young, for some­times their elders, especially when they're about to give parties, find themselves posing the same desperate question.

don't get lost!
But that lost feeling, which comes from not having plans for activity at a party, does not mean that one should never give a party. Some of the best parties are totally spontaneous. How can you decide whether to plan a party or to let it take its own course? In the first place, you should know what factors contribute to the success of each. Then you can decide, as well as you're able, which of these factors are at your command.

the unplanned party
The guests are the defining factor. When you have a luncheon or dinner party for people you know well, you can tell almost precisely what they would prefer to do. If they have wide interests and are good talkers, they will make their own entertainment. You will provide only the atmosphere and comfort-which is the test of a good hostess at an unplanned party. On the other hand, if all of them know each other very well, after an hour or so of conversation, they may like the idea of playing a game. Bridge friends pose no problem because there is always the favorite card game to play. The same is true of any group with a special interest. But for other kinds of guests, it's a fine idea to plan games. If they like to play games at all, they will probably be interested in trying out new games, in addition to the old stand-bys.

"unplanned" games in the offing
It certainly does no harm, therefore, to have supplies handy, but in­conspicuous, for any game or games you think your guests might like. Here is where you exercise your art as hosts. You should never make per­fectly happy guests stop what they're doing in order to do something else. If, on the other hand, you feel a lull, a flagging of interest, that is the time to suggest a game. Before you're an experienced hostess you may possibly time your suggestions for a change of activity at the wrong moment. But asking your guests whether they'd like to play a game, is more suitable than using your intuition. In any event, never force your guests.

Usually the games you'd choose for possible fill-ins at an unplanned party won't need much equipment. But you ought to check before the party to be certain that everything which might be needed is available. There are few games which don't require even one pad and pencil for keeping score. And there are a good many games which require pads and pencils for every player.