Meet More Chances

To some conservative-minded people it may sound like a party to get
drunk and tipsy. But contrary to that thinking, cocktail parties are
great for socializing with business associates or entertaining
friends. It can be glamorous yet inexpensive. Besides the simplicity
and complexity  of the party depends on you.

So why not try throwing a cocktail party instead on your birthday.


Important Things To Remember:

*How many will attend and how much to spend?

It's important for you to figure out even just a rough estimate on how
many, of all the people you have invited are going to attend. Remember
that about 70 percent will attend. Decide ahead of time how much are
you willing to spend. If attendees are more than twenty then it's
going to be a big party.


*Invitation.

Be creative. Use a party theme to fabricate the look of your
invitation. If you want a dress code, better include it on the
invitation as well as including the time to start and end is fine. But
if you don't have much time doing it, you may simply call them.


*Setting The Place.

Consider the theme or season when choosing the location. During rainy
season, you may want the party in a room, while during summer you may
choose your garden.

Arrange the furnitures according to the number of your attendees. For
large room with a small crowd, add small food tables. But if you need
more space, use just one table for food station.

Set up the area you have chosen a day before the event. In a room,
hide unnecessary items. And don't worry too much, the rooms are going
to be dimly lit.

Lighting and decoration. Avoid too bright lights, use candles to
enhance the place. Cluster about three candles, wrap it up with
decorative paper.

Music should be played the entire event. This will help relax your
guests. This will avoid awkward silence as well. Create a playlist
ahead of time.

Napkins/Glasses/Ice. Make all these things available.

Prepare the bathroom, since all of the guests may use it. Decorate it
with candles and flowers.


*Planning The Menu.

Remember that the most important part of the party are the drinks and food.

Drinks should be ready upon the arrival of the first guest. There are
different options in preparing the bar.

Open Bar. This option offers a wide variety of liquors and mixes. It
will give your guests the chance to opt for their favorite drink. It's
a great option if you're willing to buy all the needed spirits to fill
in the bar. You might as well need to ask a friend to attend the bar.
Or if it's a bigger party, you may want to hire a bartender.

Themed Bar. To make your party more interesting try to have a theme
flavor. This option offers different mixes using only  a single type
of liquor.

On-The-Menu. You just have to choose a list of drinks to prepare, at
least three mixed drinks will do.

Themed bar and on-the-menu will make you save a lot since you don't
need to full stock the bar.

Prepare at least two glasses of drinks for every hour for each person.
Include enough wine and beer, and plenty of water.

You need to consider preparing non-alcoholic drink, your guest may not
all be alcoholic drinkers. You may prepare iced tea or juice.

Food. In planning the menu to be served, you should consider the time
of the party. If it's during lunch or dinner time, you may prepare a
regular meal but it's not necessary. You may serve enough food to
cover up the meal.

The good thing about cocktail parties is that you may serve simple
foods like finger foods and hors d'oeuvres. Hors d'oeuvres means
outside meal food.

You may prepare cold appetizers followed by hot dishes if you're going
to prepare a regular meal. And you may prepare desserts as well.

If you decide to go for simple food, prepare about five choices if the
party time is outside meal. But at least ten choices if during meal
time.

Consider using food that are in season, they are the freshest option.
Stock back ups like nuts and chips, cheese trays with jams, crackers
and bread, popcorn and french fries.

Be creative in serving the food, you may serve soup using shot glass.
Make decorative cones in serving french fries.

Consider preparing at least one or two meatless dish.

If it's going to be a big party, choose food that may be stored in
cold or room temperature.

Prepare at least 80 percent of your menu in advance.


Check out simple recipes online that you may prepare like hors
d'oeuvres recipes and finger foods. Prepare canapes, salads and
appetizers. Truffles can be a great sweet treat.