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