Perfect Host & Hostess,Party Tips,Party Ideas,Hosting a Party

Parties are intended for relaxation and pleasure for the guests as well as the hostess ~ Our tips are sure to make you feel like you were born to host a party!

The most important part of any cocktail party is the alcohol. Decide if you want to have mixed drinks in addition to wine and beer~but the bare minimum is beer (a regular and a lite) and 2 choices of wine (white and red). Finally, add a fun touch to your party by becoming your own bartender and creating your own signature cocktail. The easiest way to do this is to mix up a large batch of your drink (think punch bowl or pitcher size) so that your guests can help themselves and you won't have to be bothered to continuously mix drinks once the party starts. Additionally, serving a signature cocktail will save you money as you won't have to provide all different types of alcohol and mixers. Easily made drinks include sangrias (which you can personalize by adding different kinds of fruit), punches (try experimenting with different juices, such as pomegranate and pineapple), and mojitos and margaritas.

Remember to have caffeine-free coffee and soft drinks available, as well as water. After alcohol consumption, every guest should consume several cups of coffee before driving home. The Perfect Party Hostess would NEVER allow her guests to drink and drive. Safety is her number one issue.

Keep pets locked up. If kitty is an indoor cat, don’t give him the opportunity to wander out when a guest doesn’t shut the door quickly enough. Put kitty in back bedroom until after the party. It could save a lot of worry in the long run. The same with your dog. Not everyone loves dogs. If your dog is running from one guest to the next, jumping up on their lap and barking like a burglar has just entered your home, set him up in the basement, garage or dog house with his favorite bedding, or secure him in the kennel. Purchase a peanut butter-filled bone and present it to your dog when he is placed in his "spot" ~ he will be quiet for hours! Admiring him from a distance is the best policy. Also, you never know when your dog might become too excited and bite someone accidentally...keep your guests safety in mind.

In order to ensure that everyone has a great time, the hostess is required to flit from one guest to another like some social butterfly. “How’s everything here? Good? That’s great!” Then on to the next guest. This routine is inevitable, and I assure you the hostess loves it, but that’s only because she’s already sure the majority of her work has been completed.

Parties are anything but easy. Ask any hostess. First of all, she must decide who to invite–without offending anyone. In other words, if she can’t invite all of her clients from work, it’s best not to invite any. That way no feelings will be hurt when Client Number One runs into Client Number Two and mentions the great party you threw. The result: immediate hurt on Client Number Two’s part, and hard-feelings for life. Avoid this scene by grouping. Office people, clients, family, friends. But, remember no one will be upset if you cross list a good friend or family member.

Secondly, send invitations, but remember to call everyone on the list who has not called or emailed with their RSVP at least one week prior to the actual party and personally invite them, again. This is the single best way to eliminate hurt feelings when an invitation is lost in the mail.

Food choices are optional, but food is a necessity. Choose wisely. If you have a guest who is allergic to shellfish try not to use any seafood. Don’t be the party everyone remembers because of the ambulance that crashed through the gates in the wee hours of the morning. The same goes for other allergies. Of course, no one can catch everything. For example, a food dye allergy is more complicated than it sounds. Many items have dye in them. In that case, ask the guest what types of dishes he/she can consume and make sure at least two dishes are present.

It’s generally not acceptable to ask guests to bring a dish–except close friends and relatives–but most guests will volunteer. If they volunteer, never say no. It’s rude. They want to help, let them. If they have a dish in mind, don’t say no unless someone else is already bringing that particular dish. If it’s something you wanted to make, bow out and let your guest bring a dish to pass. It’ll make them feel special.

If you do not want children in attendance, don’t give the go ahead to anyone. Jesse and Jennifer will be taken aback if they show up childless and find that Michelle and Michael brought theirs. An exception is children who are in a bridal party (if the party is a rehearsal dinner or wedding).

Decorate with candles and white lights and music that matches your crowd. If you’re using a jukebox for music, play music from the from the Fifties through the 70s. If it’s a stereo and an older crowd you might opt for big band and easy listening music. If it’s a band, go for whatever they can play. If you hire a DJ, order all kinds of music and let your guests set the mood.

Dress should be at your discretion. If you want black tie only, don’t be afraid to say so. If it’s casual, tell them. It’s your party. State your dress preference in your invitation ~ it will avoid confusion for your guests. "Black Tie Only" or "Casual, No Jeans Please" are examples

Tip From The Purple Mermaid

If your party is a celebration for someone special, such as a birthday party, engagement party or retirement party, "create" a specialty drink dedicated for your guest/guests of honor. For example, find a really great recipe for a chocolate martini. Think of a "name" for your drink such as "John and Alicia's Love Potion". Create a simply decorated space near your bar area with a framed photo of the guests of honor, a small framed computer print out of the drink recipe and the "name" of your drink creation! Place all the makings for the drink including barware beside the photo frames. Then prepare a couple drinks to have at the ready for your guests to sample. This simple yet thoughtful idea is always a hit!