Tales told around the table

When Lori isn't writing, she likes to host dinner parties. Luckily, that charming devil of an architect that she married likes to play along. He always makes sure they have a beautiful place to put a really big dining room table.  Every once in a while, she invites a bunch of people who don't know each other too well and asks them to tell her a story.  

Click one of the links below, if you'd like to hear some stories that were told around this particular table.

Sound like fun? So try it!

A few tips:

Really.  It's not complicated. If you like to cook, by all means, cook! But even if you don't cook, don't let it stop you. Ask your friends to cook and bring it to you. Call the caterer. Grab some take-out and hide the boxes. Order from your favorite restaurant and let them deliver. Again, hide the boxes. If you're hung up on the food, you are off on your own little adventure in missing the point! 

Ditto with the table. If you view your table as a blank canvas, just waiting for you to decorate, knock yourself out. It's always good to create something beautiful and your guests will appreciate it. But if you can't find your inner Martha Stewart, it's okay. As long as you have plates and silverware, everyone will be fine. Your party doesn't have to be defined by the size of your table. Eat. Gather in another space, where you have plenty of room.

The main event is the storytelling.  

So it's really about your guests. Not everyone you know, regardless of how funny they are in real life, is going to want to tell a story. If you know this in advance, don't invite them. They can come to all your other parties.  For a storytelling party, invite people who are willing to play along, the ones who hear about it and think it sounds like fun. Mix it up. Invite one person and ask him or her to bring somebody new. Invite people you don't know really well. Give your guests a theme, a time limit and plenty of advance notice. If you plan to record it, ask their permission. Once they start talking, don't let anyone interrupt. Even spouses. Especially spouses.

Oh, and serve lots of drinks. Early and often. 

For a more detailed and instructive guide to hosting your own version of a storytelling party, click on the True Story link below to download their True Story Party guide. It's free and it tells you exactly what you need to do.