| Planning any party can be a daunting task but | | | | to look into hiring a caterer. You can have |
| figuring out how to plan a cocktail party can | | | | one come to the house and serve and clean up, |
| be a real challenge. Sure, it has the same | | | | or you can buy appetizers and pop them in the |
| elements as other parties - plenty of | | | | oven yourself. You can even order gourmet |
| appetizers, good friends and good food and | | | | appetizers online and get great eats |
| drink but the key ingredient is the variety | | | | delivered right to your home. |
| of drinks you serve. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Do you need a bartender? Unless you want |
| A cocktail party can be a great way to get | | | | to be standing behind the bar all night |
| together with a diverse array of friends and | | | | mixing drinks then you might want to think |
| colleagues. Since cocktail parties are | | | | about hiring a bartender. Or assign one of |
| typically only for a few hours, you won't | | | | your friends that like to do that sort of |
| have to worry about spending extended time | | | | thing, it's a great way to meet and talk to |
| with these folks - just enough for a couple | | | | everyone at the party! |
| of drinks. | | | | |
| | | | 5. Decorate ahead of time. Save yourself some |
| In order to have a successful cocktail party, | | | | stress on the day of the party by decorating |
| there is a bit of planning involved. Here's | | | | the day before. This can be a big job and |
| some tips: | | | | doing it ahead of time will allow for you to |
| | | | run out to the store without impacting your |
| 1. Go over the guest list carefully. You want | | | | guest arrival schedule if you have forgotten |
| to invite an interesting mix of people that | | | | something. When decorating your room, make |
| will enjoy mingling over cocktails and | | | | sure the furniture is pushed aside so guests |
| appetizers. A diverse group will make for | | | | don't trip on it. Here's some of the things |
| interesting conversation. Make sure you | | | | you can do ahead of time so that you can |
| invite a few of your more outgoing friends to | | | | enjoy your party more: |
| get things rolling. | | | | |
| | | | - Set out all the floral arrangements and |
| 2. Get as much of your food and decoration | | | | centerpieces |
| shopping done ahead of time as you can. Plan | | | | |
| your menu out ahead of time and buy the | | | | - Have your cocktail glasses shined and ready |
| necessary ingredients so you will have them | | | | |
| on hand that day and not have to run out 10 | | | | - Choose the music you want to listen to and |
| minutes before guests arrive. What kind of | | | | load it into your CD player |
| drinks will you be serving? Make sure you | | | | |
| have the mixers and alcohol for any type of | | | | - Double check your beverage and appetizer |
| cocktail your guests might want. | | | | list and make sure you have what you need. |
| | | | |
| 3. Figure out if you will cook or you need a | | | | Your cocktail party can be a fun time even |
| caterer. A cocktail party doesn't really need | | | | for you, the host, if you are organized and |
| anything fancy in the way of food - some | | | | plan ahead. Remember to make lots of lists so |
| cheese and crackers will suffice, but if you | | | | you won't forget something at the last |
| want some great hors dourves you might want | | | | minute. Most importantly, relax and have fun! |