Makeover of the Month: Potluck

The potluck has always been a popular party idea because it's easy on the host - less to buy, less to cook, and less to stress out about, but after a few run-ins with Lisa's Famous Meatballs and Don's Legendary Chili, the potluck starts to feel a bit...well, un-cool. So, what's a potluck to do to avoid hipster obsolescence? Get a Krystal-Ball makeover, that's what! (cheers, applause) That's right, it's not about covered dishes and cleverly disguised leftovers anymore. These new potlucks are about style, fun, and most importantly, everyone bringing a little something to the table:

Tapatluck - Forget the lasagna and the giant salad bowl. It's tapas only for this all night appetizer munchathon. Anyone who shows up with a casserole dish or a wooden serving spoon will be turned away at the door and sent to the nearest church basement.

*Wine: Necessary
*Mod decor: Optional

Hotlucky - Every guest must bring one hot (and of course single) person with them. As long as you and your friends share the same definition of hot, the lucky part should be no problem.

*Condoms: Necessary
*Getting his/her number after: Optional

Plotluck - Everyone must bring a 1-3 paragraph story about themselves. Remember, the idea is to learn something new about your friends, and yes, you already told us about that awesome time in college when you were on shrooms, and... I mean, can we get some new material over here? If desired, the host can even assign a topic, such as "I was most embarrassed when..." or "The first time I..."

*Creativity: Necessary
*Feeling like a dweeb because you exposed way too much: Optional

.luck - Your guests must place an internet personal ad, and then bring one person to the party who answers the ad. This is a guaranteed great time for anyone who likes baldies, fatties, and awkward small talk...just kidding. Jeez, I said I was kidding! Whatever.

*Getting the digital photo before the party: Necessary
*Making up a lame excuse after seeing him/her in person: Optional.

Shotluck - Who needs food when you've got booze? This party is all about the alcohol! (But really, what party isn't?) I highly recommend the Chocolate Cake Shot, Kamikaze, Jell-O, and- well who cares after that? You'll be too hammered to taste anything anyway.

*Taxis on call: Necessary
*Pole dancing: Optional...or was that the other way around?

Notluck - Hiring a professional party planner and insisting that guests bring nothing. Perfect for the anal-retentives who hyperventilate at the thought of leaving anything to chance.

*Napkin Swans: Necessary
*Valium: Optional