Awkward Holiday Party Moments and How to Fix Them

So it's the night before Thanksgiving and you are hosting a party for your friends. What could possibly go wrong?

Here are some tips on preparing for sticky situations before the party begins:

1. Someone Brings Up Politics or Religion: Best thing to do is change the subject or make a joke out of it. If you're uncomfortable with that, try switching the music and throwing on some crazy fun showtunes and distract people.

2. Someone Criticizes the Food or Music. Try not to defend yourself. Instead, if they complain about what you're serving tell them you'll see if you can throw together a sandwich they like, or if they complain about the music, ask them if they'd rather throw their iPhone into the iPod dock.

3. Someone Shows Up Uninvited or Without RSVP'ing: Yes it's rude, but as the host it's your job to make sure guests have a good time. So add another place setting, divide up the portions, and roll with it. Or if you're neurotic, call everyone on your guest list two days beforehand to get confirmation on who's coming.

4. Someone Spills or Breaks Something. Don't go insane over it....you put your home in danger when you decided to have these people over. Have cleaning supplies ready and don't make a huge deal out of it and make the guest feel even more horrible than they already do. Take your important collectibles and those things with too much meaning to be in harm's way and hide them before the party. You could even consider serving only clear beverages if you're that worried about the carpet.

5. Someone Drinks Too Much. If they're out of control, take them into another room and call a cab or find them a sober ride home. Also, make sure people don't drink too much to begin with on an empty stomach. Serve lots of hors d'oeuvres from the start.

6. You Run Out of Food or Drinks: First of all, bring out the food in phases, since it takes 20 minutes for people to realize they're full. Then have extra grub on hand, so that you can dig into the freezer for a frozen pizzas to heat up. Serve on a nice tray if you can.

7. Someone Acts Inappropriately with Another Guest: Harmless flirtations are one thing, but unwanted advances are quite another. You may have to pull the offender aside and ask that they stay far away from the object of their affection.

8. Someone Shows Up Super early or Just won't Leave. If someone arrives early, put them to work and let them help you make the salad or something. If someone won't leave once the party is clearly over, thank them for coming while steering them toward the door.

9. Someone Brings Children to an Adults-Only Gathering. You will have to stick to your guns, even if it means looking like the bad guy, but apoligize for the misunderstanding, State that this is a grown-ups only event, and tell them they are more than welcome to come back once they figure out where else they can leave their kids.

10. Someone tells an unacceptable joke (perhaps racist or too perverted for your crowd): It's okay to call out the guest in public. You have an obligation as host to make sure everyone is courteous and nothing ruins a party faster than an untamed, obnoxious guest.

Do you agree with these methods? Ever have a party go terribly wrong?