''As a rule of thumb, an election party should never be a sit-down dinner,'' says an events and PR guru, Mark Cavanagh. ''God forbid you be trapped beside someone of the other political persuasion.''

The night revolves around the television screen - so make sure there is good visibility and perhaps even another television in a quiet room for the ''serious'' ones - but the commentary can be enough to kill the vibe.

''This year it's all about having the vision up and the sound down,'' Cavanagh says.

''Who wants to listen to Latham wax lyrical? The general feeling is that we're done with the spin, done with the catchphrases … obviously we want to see the figures, so turn the volume down and put on some good music.''

This election campaign has been fairly bland but that can make for good party fodder, says the party planner Allison Barrett, the director of My Perfect Party.

''You've got two characters in Gillard and Abbott who you can easily take the mickey out of and it'll be easy to keep it light-hearted because there really hasn't been a lot of serious policy.''

Keep the mood fun and avoid tension among guests with games, costumes and themes. Cavanagh knows of two parties this year taking a retro Don's Party theme, based on the 1971 play by David Williamson, later also made into a movie.

''Definitely invite people of all political views,'' Barrett says.

''It can add some entertainment in itself, but be respectful of your guests' views and cater for all sides.''

But Dulcie Miltiades, a history teacher, who has hosted an election-day party with the same group of friends for more than 15 years, insists that it's the one day you want to be with like-minded voters.

''The people that come to mine are either Labor voters, left of Labor or swing voters,'' she says. ''You don't want to be with [Liberal voters] when Johnny Howard wins.'' She'll be serving nibbles all night - ''because you can't leave the TV'' - and plenty of wine to help cope with either the excitement or devastation.

The director of Frolic Events, Laura Brown, says the party can turn sour if you don't invite a diverse crowd.

''You run the risk of all guests being disappointed at the end of the night,'' she says. Her advice is to set the tone through invitations and dress code. ''And with all the party planning ensure that you don't forget to vote.''