We all love parties. We love to attend them, and we love to throw them. What’s really exciting is when we can throw a party that’s talked about for years to come. That’s what we’re going to do today. We’re going to give you some ideas to help get you started so that you can throw a party that will long be remembered as one of the great parties of all time, what we like to call "The Candid Camera Party."

For this little excursion, you’ll need the XCam2 (VK49AS) or the XCam2 WideEye (XX13A). You may want to enhance your party with a couple of motion sensors, either the EagleEye (MS14A) or the Hawkeye (MS13A), and you will need VCR Commander (UX21A). You’ll also need a good sense of humor, friends with a good sense of humor, and some cunning and sneakiness. Once you’ve gone through your checklist, and you’re sure you have everything, let the festivities begin.

The first thing you want to do is announce to your friends that you’re having a party. You’re better off if you don’t mention the Candid Camera thing. After all, you don’t want anybody being suspicious.

You can set up your cameras anywhere you want, but make sure that you get the best view you can with them. For this article, we’re going to start by setting the first camera outside the front door. Put your XCam2 in a shoebox, or another box made to look like a decoration. Aim the camera toward your front porch, or if you’re in an apartment, towards the front door. Take a five dollar bill and glue half of it down to the porch. This will give you plenty of entertainment as you watch your guests trying to pick up the money. The bigger the denomination, the more desperate people are going to be to get that cash. That will produce greater comedy.

In the kitchen, put up another camera and aim it toward the sink. If you can, set it up above the sink so that you can see whoever is standing in front of it. (Be sure you keep it in a spot where it won’t get wet.) If you have one of those spray nozzles, carefully tie a small rubber band around the arm so that it will spray immediately once the water is turned on.

Now often times we like to go to parties and "spy" a little on our host. That usually involves peeking into the medicine cabinet when we use the restroom. You could set up your HawkEye Motion Sensor in the medicine cabinet, and set it to trip an alarm every time someone opens the medicine cabinet door. And then set it to shut off seconds after it detects motion.

We would like to point out though, that under no circumstances do we recommend placing a camera in the restroom.

Many hosts use a room where party goers can throw their coats. For this room, you could put up a sign saying something like "Coats in Here." In that room, you could hook up the RoboDog so that when someone opens the door, they’re in for a little treat. It’s good to have a camera here as well, recording your guests’ reactions.

Food is always fun to play with. Most party goers like to stand around the food table and chat with others, barely noticing what they’re eating while they’re talking. This would be a good time to be creative with the food. Make chewing gum sandwiches, or spike the punch with lemon or lime concentrate. Of course be sure your camera is recording the faces when they try to place exactly what it was that they just stuck in their mouths.

These are just a few of the ideas, and once everyone has caught on to your shenanigans, then you’ll have to come clean. That’s when the fun really begins. You will pull out the video tape, and you can all sit and watch it together, enjoying each others reactions to the various pranks. You’re guaranteed to be the life of the party. Not to mention a target for "revenge practical jokes." But it’s worth it. And remember, this is for fun, and all jokes should be thought out carefully so as to insure that nobody gets hurt.

Actually, this gives us a thought. How about another contest? Send us your ideas for a Candid Camera Party, and we’ll give the winner a $20.00 gift certificate. The contest will run through March, and we’ll announce the winners on April 14th. We could all use a laugh on Income Tax day.

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