Sometimes, especially at Hanukkah, things go out of hand at the last minute. So we all need last minute ideas for organizing a Hanukkah party. I know what it feels like to have things fall apart in the last minute, after spending so many days on organizing that perfect party. It sucks. But then, such is life. These kind of things happen all the time. We have to deal with them. Having a fabulous party is not about having all the things in order; it is about knowing how to have a fabulous party when all the things are not in order. The trick is to know how to party like a rockstar, when you are not one.

  Here are some last minute back-up ideas.

1. If your latkes are burnt and if your sufganiyots have sunk in the last minute; it is not the end of the world. Do not panic. I repeat, do not panic. Have a caterer's number handy. You can order some fried chicken and cheese pizza and get away with it. They might charge you a little extra for the last minute order but then it would be worth it.

2. Children get absolutely restless in a party filled with adults. You did not expect to your guests to bring their kids along. So, don't blame yourself, you were not expecting to have kids in your Hanukkah party. To keep the kids occupied, what you can do is give them bowls of flour and water, and ask them to mold the 'Star of David' or the Menorah or just any shape that they would like. Make sure that an adult is supervising the kids at all times.

3. If the DJ console gives up on the DJ in the middle of the party, make sure that you have your laptop handy. And of course, let your laptop have a decent collection of party songs.

4. If there is a power cut in your locality, take the party to the backyard. Light a bonfire outside and continue to have fun. Ok, not too much that it brings the cops home.

5. If somebody goes into a food coma after having too many latkes, make sure that you have some smelling salts handy and call 911. Don't just stand there, do something.

6. Always make sure that you have fire extinguishers in your house, especially during a holiday season like the Hanukkah. At Hanukkah, many candles are lit and if one is not careful, there can be accidental fires. So at a Hanukkah party, keep the menorah is a place that is visible and yet out of reach.

Mazel tov and Happy Hanukkah, y'all!

Image courtesy: oogalights.com