Stay and Play NYE Slumber Party

Stay and Play's 2008 New Year's Eve party at the Troy Marriott (Credit: Mark Tucker)

New Year's in Detroit

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Your options are seemingly endless when it comes to celebrating New Year’s, but behind all the champagne, balloons and confetti, comes months of planning and hard work.

Stay and Play Social Club began preparing for its New Year’s Eve event in June, said SPSC Promotions Manager Erin Goryl, who has worked on throwing the perfect NYE party for the last two years with SPSC President Stephanie Puertas. This is the third year the Royal Oak-based organization, which offers a variety of sports each season, as well as events focused on both personal and professional development, is throwing a NYE party.

This year’s $20,000 fête includes expenses for food and beverage, a DJ, decorations, games, marketing, goodie bags, photo and video, staff and security, said Goryl, who expects between 275 to 300 people for this year’s slumber party-themed bash. “A lot of people went to home parties last year because of the economy,” Goryl said, but with this year’s slumber party theme, “you don’t have to clean up and worry about people breaking stuff.”

TVs, a Wii with Rockband, a 3-D inflatable twister game, inflatable basketball shootout game and a temporary tattoo artist will be available until 11:30 p.m. along with a dessert table with a dripping chocolate fountain, late-night pizza, Coney dogs and other snacks.

In setting up the party the first year, Goryl explored both hotels and banquet halls, but decided for the safety of the guests, a hotel would be the best option. Guests who spend the night at the Troy Marriott will receive goodie bags filled with band aids, bottled water, lube, bananas, condoms, tiny liquor bottles, aspirin, a bottle of champagne and other mischievous treats to keep the night stimulating.

“We’re encouraging people to come in comfy clothes this year,” she said.

Along with choosing a theme and venue and advertising through facets like Facebook, newsletters, blogs and guerilla marketing, Goryl said she and Puertas also have to worry about the layout of the venue and choosing the right DJ.

“DJs make a party,” said Goryl who explained that the first year they threw their NYE party, the DJ didn’t work out as well as they had hoped. “The guy didn’t have songs that people were requesting and was refusing to download them.”

Another key point of the planning is communication.

“Having communication with the venue is incredibly important,” Goryl said. “We’re letting them know what we’re doing. We’re not going to surprise them the day of the party.”

Despite all the hassle and stress of throwing one of the biggest parties of the year, there are quite a few benefits, Goryl said. “If it’s going well, you get to have fun, and on January 1st or 2nd, I’m not saying I’ll never do that again.”

Tickets for SPSC’s Slumber Party include a five-hour open bar featuring Absolut Vodka, a late night food buffet, games and a champagne toast. Dress is casual and pajamas are welcomed.

Stay & Play Slumber Party, 9 p.m. Thursday, Troy Marriott, 200 W. Big Beaver Rd., $115 for a single ticket or $190 for a pair. Room rate - $129 inclusive of all tax and gratuity – Goodie bag for each person in the room (up to 4) and a bottle of champagne per room.