Host a Cocktail Party
Subtly sophisticated, short and sweet, cocktail parties are a great way to entertain your friends with a minimum of hassle. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Send out written invitations for large and formal affairs, telephone or e-mail for smaller ones. Include the nature of the party (cocktails); the occasion, if any; the date, and the beginning and ending times of the party ' cocktail parties are generally between 6 and 8 p.m.
2. Make arrangements for a caterer and bartender if your party will be large (over 25 people), and your budget permits. Otherwise, prepare a cocktail menu and plan out how you will prepare everything ahead of time. (See Related eHows for appetizer ideas.)
3. For drinks, plan to have wine and beer, as well as supplies for several kinds of cocktails. Have nonalcoholic alternatives on hand as well, and be sure you'll have enough ice.
4. Remove large pieces of furniture or clutter from the room you plan to hold the party in. Set up two large tables - one for drinks, the other for hors d'oeuvres - a good distance from each other or at opposite ends of the room, to cut down on traffic around them.
5. Set up chairs and smaller tables around the room. Comfortable folding chairs and tables are adequate and easy to move around.
6. Decorate with table linens, candles and simple floral arrangements. The complexity of the arrangements and quality of the linens should reflect the formality of the event.
7. Ask your guests for their coats as soon as they enter and hang the coats on a coat rack, in a coat closet or lay coats across a bed in an unused bedroom.
8. Tell your guests to help themselves to hors d'oeuvres. If there is no bartender, ask your guests what they would like to drink and serve them yourself.
9. Have a few party games up your sleeve to break the ice and encourage your guests to mingle.
Tags: your guests, bartender your, cocktail parties, Cocktail Party, hors oeuvres