Party, now there's an interesting word.
Is that party as in, "The party of the first part" or is that party as in, "Republican"? Maybe it's party as in, "How many in your party?" As the writer, I get to decide, sometimes, but not this time.
This time, it is definitely celebration as in "How many in your party?" So what can I say that you haven't already read about, experienced or considered.
Probably nothing! So I am just going to shower you, the reader, with my random thoughts and hope I will peak your interest, entertain you and maybe inform you.
Remember, I'm just throwing out some thoughts here, not necessarily answers! How many people are required to qualify for the classification of party? Can one person be a party? The dictionary defines the verb party as "to enjoy oneself thoroughly and without restraint".
Is settling in with a good book and a glass of your favorite wine a party? It would be for me! The Guinness Book of World Records say the International Year of the Child children's birthday party in Hyde Park on 30-31 May 1979 was the largest party ever, attended by the royal family and 160,000 children.
Leave it to those Brits! Such party animals! Do parties need to be in a certain place to meet the definition of party? What is the most unusual party venue you can think of? Is there a difference between a party and a celebration? Are there celebration animals? Why do we have parties anyway? I wonder if the largest party was also the most expensive celebration.
Does the host of a celebration have any fun? What was the longest celebration? What is a LAN party? Are you aware that "party" in 15th century English meant a specific person and was in common usage? In the 15th century, it would be common for someone to say, "that party over there holding the longbow".
Modern English would use the word "person" rather than "party".
If this usage had not changed over the centuries, what would we call a party today? We still use the word party to mean a specific person, but mostly in the legal profession, the "party of the first part" dialogue so typical in contracts and litigation.
How much fun is a search celebration? Have you ever been to one? How about a fishing party? If fish and visitors stink in three days, how long does a fishing party last? Are there rules about how long any party should last? Who makes the party rules? Why are there rules if the definition of a party is "to enjoy oneself thoroughly and without restraint"? If you impose rules, is it still a celebration? I mean, what about all the restraint of rules.
So, this concludes my ramble on the ubiquitous party.
I hope it sparked some interest, entertained and perhaps amused you.
If not, there is considerable information on the Internet for every aspect of celebrations that you can imagine and, some you can't!