It’s time to exercise our 19th Amendment rights — and while the parties face off during the debates, you can host a party of your own, thanks to the League of Women Voters Debate Party Hosting Kit. The free guide includes planning tips, a printable sign-in sheet and discussion points, so gather your family and friends to watch presidential nominees Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain take on the issues Oct. 7 and 15.

The League of Women Voters also provides a playlist of patriotic tunes from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. Plus, there are a few recipes — so while candidates are avoiding putting their feet in their mouths or getting served some humble pie, your guests can nosh on snacks such as the Great American Potato Salad or Chewy Red, White and Blue Cookies. Patriotic Punch can be served nonalcoholic or as a concoction of lemonade and cherry-flavored vodka. But let’s hope the debates pack some punches of their own.

Do you have any tips for your own debate soiree? Pin the tail on the donkey? Put lipstick on the pig?

Tags: Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Debate, Distilled beverages, Food and drink, Hospitality/Recreation, John McCain, League of Women Voters, League of Women Voters Debate Party Hosting Kit, Lemonade, Neil Young, Politics, Senator, Soft matter, Vodka infusion