Sing up at the back! It’s time for a karaoke party, and who doesn’t enjoy a good sing along? If you’re planning a party where the guests will be competing for their go at the microphone, we’ve got some great ideas for your party planning process.

Your karaoke party can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, and is easily adaptable for the age groups who might be attending. First of all, get your guest list sorted out, and get the guests in the mood with some personalised karaoke themed party invitations from Putty Print. Whether you want something subtle or bold, you’ll find a design which fits your plan.

Let’s start with some ideas you might want to include. How about a fancy dress karaoke session? Everyone dresses up as their favourite singer, and performs as them during the party? Try to encourage the guests to think outside the box and be creative, or you’ll end up with a room full of Elvis Presleys, Madonnas and Spice Girls! Maybe you could set the theme, such as 1960s pop stars or girl groups of the 1980s.

Now for the equipment. You may already have a karaoke machine, but if you don’t, it’s not a problem. You can hire a professional machine if you want a bit of a wow factor, or simply download karaoke backing tracks from the internet, and play them on your computer or MP3 player. Why not add to the atmosphere with a bubble or smoke machine, and a glitter ball?

Get your guests in the musical mood with a quiz. Write out some well-known lyrics, minus a word. The guests have to fill in the missing word. Make it as tricky as you like.

Got some backing tracks? Split the guests into groups, and assign a backing track to each group. They need to re-write the lyrics, based on an activity they pick out of your mystery bag. The more mundane your suggestions in the bag, the better – can anyone rewrite three verses about picking the kids up from school or doing the housework?

'Guess that song' is always fun. Play your guests three seconds of a song – can they identify it? Bonus points if they can sing it back to you!

Of course, no karaoke party is complete without the main attraction: a turn at the microphone. Get your guests singing their hearts out, and make it a night they’ll remember!