Want to jazz up a party? Add sparklies.

A friend of mine is planning a party and over the weekend she asked me to look over her guest list. When I did, I immediately spotted a problem. “These are really good people,” I told her. “But there are not enough ‘sparklies.'” “What’s a sparklie?” she asked.

A person becomes a sparklie in one of two ways: they either have a glittering personality or they hold an important position in the community. Either way, they are critical to having a memorable social gathering. We all know that the key to a good party is the people. If you have the right people and the right chemistry, it doesn’t matter if all you serve is a bowl of peanuts. You are going to have a great party.

When you tell someone about a party you attended, what’s the first thing they always ask? “Who was there?” Then they get around to the food and the entertainment.

This is not original. I read about it in a “Miss Manners” book a long time ago. But it has proven to be absolutely accurate. Here’s a formula for a great guest list: 20 percent “sparklies,” 70 percent “solid citizens,” and 10 percent people you need to “pay back” for inviting you to something that they had.

My friend at first was doubtful. Obviously, elected officials and prominent business and community leaders are easy to identify due to their positions. But what about these glittering personality folks? Who are they? “You’ll know immediately who they are when you say their name,” I assured her. I threw out the name of a mutual acquaintance. “Definitely!” she said. “She’s definitely a sparklie!” Then she mentioned another. “Absolutely!” we agreed.

My friend called me yesterday to say she had extended invitations to the sparklies we had identified. And most had accepted.

I’m really looking forward to attending her wonderful event. I’ll let you know who’s there.