On the subject of optimum party size it has been submitted that, as our fathers said “The more, the merrier” but is this truly the case? I submit that a number of factors can influence the optimum size of a party; including but not limited to the physical space available for said party.

How then, do we determine the optimum party size? I fear that in many cases we crowd too many people, like at the majority of the parties I’ve had at student apartments, we cram too many people with too little accomodations and space. The result is a substantial decrease in enjoyment for all involved such that the total marginal enjoyment is actually less than it would have been had the size remained smaller.

This isn’t too bad, because when a party is greater than optimum size, attrition will naturally occur and people will drop out until the party reaches optimum size. Then you need to have sufficient numbers of activities and faithful party people who will spontaneously encourage fun activities and social interaction amongst the party guests whilst not leading them astray, that is to say, leaders who will not “poach” your guests with superior charisma and promises of greater marginal joy to be had outside the domains of your party grounds. These faithful partygoers are thus referred to as loyalists.

These loyalists are the most crucial element of your party, it is better to stock a party with a smaller number of loyalists mixed with fence sitters than it is to invite a ton of fence sitters and hope it works out.

For now though, it is safe to say the following: it is better to invite too many than too few, for a party will shrink to optimum size, but it cannot grow to optimum size (unless you’re counting on your guests to invite others).

While I hate math, someday I will make a formula for optimal party size.