With the economy a fluster and a new year coming, it’s time to welcome in a new beginning, a fresh start. With all the worry, you haven’t spent quality time with your family and friends much. Then there’s that outfit you look great in that you haven‘t worn in a while. It looks like it's time for a gathering. Invite a few of your closest friends over for a grown and sexy affair.
Holidays, weekends, fundraisers, brunches, and wedding receptions are usually the perfect time for a cocktail party, but you can have one anytime. It’s simple to plan and can be affordable. Here are a few tips to help you plan that day:
Theme
You should begin your party planning with a theme. Your theme should been seen though out your chosen space. decorate with things like theme flowers, music, tables, or colors. To encourage mingling amongst your guest, have things on hand such as party games that encourage conversation. Be sure to clear out big, bulky furniture, the night before, so that your guest may dance and maneuver around with ease.
Set up a buffet along one wall where guests can serve themselves or have a catered affair. Have a designated bartender to mix drinks so that you can be free to enjoy your own party. You can have your guests attire tied to your theme as well. For example, a costume party, masquerade party, or black and white affair, etc.
Time
Since a cocktail party is such a light affair, after dinner is usually a good time to invite your guests. If your guest are light eaters, dinner time is good. Brunch is also a good time for an afternoon cocktail party. Serve a menu of bite sized breakfast foods such as sausage balls, silver dollar pancakes, mini muffins, and mini quiche. You could also set up a station for an omelette bar. Set out lots of fresh toppings for your guests to serve themselves. Serve champagne cocktails, such as the mimosa (champagne and juice) , bellini (fresh peach puree and champagne), and bloody mary's, in the place of heavier drinks.
Invitations
Your invitations should also reflect your theme. For example, if you chose champagne as your theme, you could mail out mini champagne bottles with information printed on a label and glued to the front of the champagne bottle. Or if you have chosen a masquerade cocktail party, send out masquerade masks with your invitation labled on the inside of them. If it’s a short notice party planning, a simple phone call, usually within 24-48 hours, should do.
Menu
Light and airy appetizers, such as mini meatballs, cheese puffs, and bruschetta go nicely with cocktails and champagne. Steer clear of foods that may drip, splatter, and spill onto your carpets and your guests clothing. Keep seltzer water and white vinegar on hand, which is good for removing stains.
Always include a vegetable tray, meat free dishes, and alcohol-free drinks for your variety of guests.
Party Favors
If you choose to host a cocktail party for New Year’s Eve, be sure to have lots of noise makers, party hats and of course a timer, for when the clock strikes twelve midnight.
Gift Bags
You can not end your night without thanking your guest for successfully attending your affair. At the end of the night, present your guests with small gift bags at the door. You can fill the gift bags with trinkets that bear your party's theme or things such as candles, candy, the dinner menu's recipes nd so on will do also.
Overnight Guests
Be sure to have spare sleeping areas as well as clean linen and pillows, for your guest who are too tired to drive home. If you have a guest bedroom, simple pastel linens ( Martha Stewart has an excellent bedding selection at Macy's, K-Mmart and Wal-Mart ) with a vase of fresh flowers next to the bed will create a warm and welcoming feel for you guests. Also have on hand, some extra toothbrushes, mini bar soaps, towels, washcloths and mini shampoo and conditioner sets. (The Dollar Tree store has these items for just 1$ each.)
For any of your guests that may awaken to a hangover, try, Dr. Drew‘s, The Dr’s, hangover concoction:
- 6 ounces orange juice
- 4ounces soy milk
- 4ounces V8 juice
- 1 banana
- dash of salt
- In blender pour all ingredients. Add ice.
- Blend until smooth. Pour in glass and enjoy.
“The Dr’s.” CBS. Cincinnati 2008
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