Oh yes, I'll have the weekend special please. House or fraternity party combo with homework and a hangover for dessert. Extra headache please.

Sound familiar? After a year or two of the same thing every weekend, it's definitely time for a change of pace and a change of party. It may seem like throwing a nonconventional bash at your place is somewhat of a challenge, but with this crash course in how to master the art of easy hosting, you'll be changing up the party scene every weekend.

You don't have to be a host alone

If you're intimidated by the thought of throwing a party all by your lonesome, take heart. It doesn't have to be that way. If you and your pals live relatively close, make it a combined effort by having a progressive dinner where everyone serves a different course. Take the reins by suggesting the idea and offering to cover the main course. Let the other hosts know ahead of time what you've decided to prepare so they can find things that go well with your dish.

According to Sarah Cossidente, senior in hotel and restaurant management, these types of meals are the perfect way to treat yourself and others to a nice, but inexpensive meal, as well as show off your culinary style and expertise. She suggested starting off with a jazzed-up, broth-based soup or a wedge salad.

"It's like the 'new salad'," said Cossidente. "You definitely want to go light on the appetizers because you don't want the guests to fill up too quickly."

She also said to serve desserts that are attractive to the eye or, if you're feeling up to it, something that lights on fire. Pyro is always in and sure to be a crowd pleaser.

If you're not one for the fancy-schmancy, you can have a themed dinner and keep things simple.

"My family did a dinner where everyone had to draw a letter out of a hat and come up with a food, a drink and a game that started with the letter," said Candace Reich, senior in hotel and restaurant management. "A lot of people got really creative and had a lot of fun with it."

There's no need for intimidation if you ask your friends to pitch in.

Be a host on the side

If cooking and planning are not your strong suits, having people over to watch an event, like the Super Bowl or the Grammy's, is a great way to throw a good party without worrying about how to keep people entertained.

Since the event itself is the entertainment, you just have to put on the side show. Cossidente said it's a good idea to incorporate food and drinks. That way, the people who came over for the Oscar party won't be too disappointed.

If nothing exciting is going on that weekend - or if you can't afford a TV - a theme party is a great alternative, and it doesn't have to be expensive. Ask everyone to bring a drink or snack and feel free to go as extreme or as minimalist decoration-wise as you want. If costumes are involved, the scene is sure to be colorful with or without crepe paper.

If you opt for a theme party, try to find new ways to tickle everyone's fancy. For example, if you throw a 1920s bash, have everyone dress up as a specific person or character from the time period and then try to guess who's who.

Anne McAtee, sophomore in hotel and restaurant management, said mixing groups is also a good way to keep people entertained.

"If you have a theme party, invite people from your classes, people you live with, people you party with; just people from different crowds," said McAtee. "It gives everyone a chance to meet and talk to someone that they might not normally come into contact with."

Reich said she agrees, but thinks it's important to pay attention to who you invite.

"You really have to make sure people really understand that you have to dress up or they'll miss out," she said.

That means leave the people who come to Halloween parties dressed as themselves off the theme-party list.

Host a make-over party

Hold on, guys, this has nothing to do with makeup. Adding something to a humdrum movie night or a mundane game night could push it from a weeknight filler to a weekend must.

"Make one night a mandatory pajama night," suggested Cossidente. "Or ask everyone to dress up to match the movie."

It's a lot more fun to watch "Memoirs of a Geisha" in a kimono than in jeans and a T-shirt, but if you feel like dressing up is too much work, throwing food into the mix can be a good way to amp up the atmosphere. We're not talking popcorn and Twizzlers. If you're going Bollywood one night, get rid of the furniture, bring in lots of pillows and order out for Indian food (or Hunam's since Manhattan doesn't have an Indian restaurant). If you watch "Saving Private Ryan," feel free to skip the rations, but eat something extra manly. No salad tonight, ladies.

If your crowd would rather play Pictionary than watch the picture screen, don't feel like you're limited to the drawing board.

"Try a mix of games, or cards or charades, or even make up a game," said Reich. "That way things keep moving and stay exciting."

Gamers, you're not limited to everyday attire either. Axis and Allies means you dress the part and poker night means striped shirts, poker hats and game faces are required.

The next time you head for the usual weekend events, remember what you've learned. As a master of hosting skills, you owe it to your friends to show off your newly-acquired talent.