So, you’re in the middle of a good time, the vibe’s pumping, everyone’s in the groove. Enter the narcissist, and bam! The whole mood does a 180. If they’re not basking in the glory of everyone’s attention, they’re like joy vampires, sucking the life out of the party without a second thought.

These narcissists, they gotta be the star of the show. If they’re not the perceived life of the party, brace yourself for some attention-grabbing theatrics. And if that doesn’t cut it, they’ll grab their date, if they’ve got one, and make a run for it, leaving the good times behind like yesterday’s news. On the ride home and well into the next day, you’ll hear a symphony of complaints about the lackluster guests, the host who couldn’t host, and the party that didn’t meet their lofty standards.

No matter what you’re celebrating, your friendly neighborhood narcissist is there to throw a wrench in the works.

Imagine this: people cracking up, having a blast, completely ignoring Mr. or Ms. Narcissist. That’s when joy and happiness go off the charts.

Meet the dynamic duo of narcissists: the grandiose and the vulnerable. The grandiose ones? Oh, they’re living large, convinced their lives are envy-inducing spectacles. Think big or go home is their mantra.

On the flip side, the vulnerable narcissists aren’t craving the spotlight; they just demand it in personal connections. Deny them their narcissistic fix, and boom! Out comes the unexpected aggression, dripping with narcissistic rage.

Now, whether you’re dealing with the grandiose or the vulnerable breed, tread carefully when gifts come into play. It’s not about spreading the love; it’s their slick way of painting themselves as Mr. or Ms. Generosity. Watch out – accepting gifts is like dancing with the devil in narcissist shoes.

Gifts from narcissists aren’t gestures of generosity; they’re strategic moves tailored to their desires, not yours. It’s not about pleasing you; it’s about fortifying your devotion, locking in your allegiance.

Don’t be fooled – those gifts aren’t about spreading joy. For narcissists, it’s a control game. They’re not handing out presents to make you happy; it’s all part of the grand plan to maintain dominance in the relationship.

Ever wonder why they splurge on expensive gifts? It’s not a nod to your awesomeness; it’s a flex. The lavish presents aren’t tokens of admiration; they’re carefully crafted illusions. Even if drowning in debt, they’ll flash the cash, all to keep up the appearance of opulence and triumph.

Love isn’t the driving force behind those gifts; it’s fear. Every present is a calculated move to keep you tethered, to ensure you don’t slip away. It’s not about warmth; it’s about control.

So what’s their playbook for zapping the joy out of every room?

Ever notice how narcissists hijack the chat?

They’re the maestros, orchestrating every conversation to circle back to them. They might not scream, “Let’s talk about me for a change,” but you can bet they’re mentally counting the seconds until it’s all about them again.

Being a conversational narcissist isn’t exclusive to those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Still, let’s face it, most narcissists revel in the art of self-talk. In their world, no doubt, they’re the undisputed champions of interest.

Behold the narcissist, turning every shindig into their personal spotlight.

Watch in awe as they seamlessly make a christening, wedding, or even a birthday, all about the grand saga of them.

It’s a crafty maneuver, really. Behind the bravado and the over-the-top displays of confidence, lies a core of insecurity. Attention becomes their fuel, a desperate attempt to get folks to echo their alleged greatness.

Narcissists weaponize vulnerability.

Opening up is generally cool, but throw a narcissist into the mix, and it’s a whole different ball game. Share a crush on another guest? Brace for them to either flirt with them or turn your feelings into ammo, a tool to manipulate you into their bidding.

Consider this your PSA: Secrets and deep feels are off-limits with a narcissist. Spill the beans, and your intimate moment becomes their punchline.

Narcissists love to play with the clock.

If dinner’s at 7:30, don’t expect them until a fashionably late 8:15 or beyond. Making folks twiddle their thumbs? Oh, that’s a power move they savor.

I had this friend, the queen of tardiness. After years of waiting, I started telling her events kicked off an hour earlier. She showed up, felt played, but hey, she was on time for once.

Event planning with a narcissist? Brace for impact. Wedding on that day? Nah, not convenient. Drinks at 8? Nope, it doesn’t work for them. Cabo plans that week? Better reschedule that memorial.

With a narcissist around, schedules are just suggestions.

Narcissists thrive on stirring the pot.

Why? It’s a power trip. Watching folks clash entertains them, and that’s their front-row seat to a self-made drama.

Truth and privacy? Those are just collateral damage for narcissists. Lies and manipulation are their go-to tools.

Ever seen a narcissist play favorites with kids? They’ll shower one with praise while dissecting the flaws of another.

And here’s the kicker: when they’re in the middle of a brawl, they might pull in an unsuspecting third party. It’s a move called Narcissistic Triangulation. The goal? Shift the tension elsewhere, boosting their own self-worth in the process. It’s conflict choreography at its finest.

Read more about Covert Narcissism

Narcissists are the undisputed champs at playing the victim.

To them, victimhood is a badge of honor, a comfy robe they wear with pride. Anything, be it a slight, a harmless comment, or the last appetizer slipping away, becomes a deliberate attack in their world.

Picture this: a party, the last drop of wine gone or the appetizers vanishing. For a narcissist, it’s not bad luck; it’s a personal assault. They’re perpetual victims, even in situations where they’re not even on the radar. It’s a masterclass in making everything about them.

The Vulnerable Narcissist at Celebrations

When the invite hits for other people’s celebratory bashes—think anniversaries or birthdays—the vulnerable narcissist faces a conundrum. The idea of basking in someone else’s glory doesn’t quite jive with their narcissistic cravings. Their supply thrives on the stumbles of others, not on shared success.

If they decide to grace the occasion, it’s not to revel in joy but to desperately seek reasons to feel superior. The venue, guest list, drinks, decorations, outfits – nothing escapes their critical eye. Even the achievements of the guest of honor become fodder for their fault-finding frenzy.

When the snarky remarks fail to satisfy their supply cravings, brace yourself. The vulnerable narcissist might stoop low enough to sabotage the whole shebang. Arguments, red wine on the white carpet, accidental food collisions – they’re ready to pull any stunt that leaves folks feeling or looking bad. Their quest for a moment of narcissistic triumph knows no bounds, all to stave off the looming threat of narcissistic rage.

The Grandiose Narcissist at Celebrations

Meet the Grandiose Narcissists: The Kings and Queens of the Superiority Circus.

They roll into events with a craving for superiority that’s off the charts. No shame in their game – it’s all about self-aggrandizement. Deny them the red carpet treatment, and get ready for a front-row seat to a full-blown scene.

Entitlement? It’s their middle name. Lines? They bulldoze right to the front. Best and biggest? Consider it seized, no apologies given.

Their success stories? More fiction than a spy novel. Brace yourself for exaggerated tales and outright lies, all aimed at snagging those sweet praises. And if you’re romantically entangled with one, get ready for the grand theft of credit. Your gifts, your meals, your party plans – all absorbed into their self-praise saga.

Promises? They toss them around like confetti. Special gifts and dream vacations are their favorite party tricks. Yet, the delivery often falls flat, leaving you with nothing but empty promises.

The golden rule for celebrations? Keep these narcissists off the guest list if you can swing it. But if you’re stuck with them, here are five battle-tested suggestions to steer the celebration ship and minimize the havoc they might wreak.

Cracking the Narcissist Code: 5 Celebration Survival Tips

• Skip the Argument Tango: Starting a spat is like pouring fuel on their narcissistic fire.
• Hands Off the Rule Book: Don’t play director; they’re allergic to following anyone else’s script.
• No Persuasion Power: Convincing them to see your angle is like talking to a brick wall – their perspective is their gospel.
• Emotion Highway Closed: Heart-to-heart talks won’t cut it. Empathy is a foreign concept, and understanding your viewpoint? Not on their agenda.
• Public Challenges? Think Twice: Humiliation and showdowns in front of an audience? It’s like handing them a VIP pass to resentment.
• Read more about Dealing with Narcissist Tantrums