Tag Archives: cocktail party

More Dinner Party Tips

There are so many things to do and remember when planning a sit-down dinner, that you might wonder if you will ever have the time to do exactly that. Some timesaving tips can make it all run smoothly. I know, for there I have been. Consider some of the following ideas the next time you plan to have some people over for dinner. Make sure you empty your dishwasher and garbage can before your guests arrive as this will make after party cleanup much easier. Dealing with children and pets isn’t quite that simple. If you can, send children off … Continue reading →

Cocktail Party Food: Some Tips

Some say food at a cocktail party is incidental, but there are many others who beg to differ. The proper type of cocktail fare encourages conversation, creates excuses to circulate and is far more than just a belly filler. Those “one-biters” can be very interesting both to behold and to munch upon. Consider contrasting colors, tastes and textures: creamy cheeses, crisp breads and glossy vegetables. Avoid anything that oozes or is greasy, as clothing furnishings and self-esteem have to rank a bit higher in your list of priorities. The platters chosen to display your “one-biters” deserve some eye-grabbing attention. Line … Continue reading →

Some Sobering Party Tips

Lady Astor once remarked that she didn’t drink at parties because she wanted to be sure when she was having a good time. This is worth remembering while attending a party, not to mention when called upon to drive home from one. Still, one should enjoy oneself because where we are going from here, I do not believe cocktails are served. The trend today seems towards simpler drinks like wine, beer and bottled waters. You alone know what you should drink, and if you should. The little policeman in your head is sometimes on a break, but he always comes … Continue reading →

Cocktail Party Welcomes: Some Tips

Preparing for a cocktail party can be stressful; especially in those few moments before your guests arrive and you discover that unsightly carpet stain or something of that ilk. Such mishaps can make you forget names and other details. (If you can’t remember where you live, you better go home, because the party you are hosting in that case, is someone else’s.) Take the time to review your guest-list to avoid blanking out on names. In the fluster and flurry of the moment, it can easily happen and often does, and it can be embarrassing when you are dealing with … Continue reading →

Planning The Cocktail Party

The best laid schemes of mice, men and cocktail party planners often go astray if things are not properly planned. A “to do” list is a big help because that way you don’t have to rely on just your memory to get things done. Check items off one at a time until there are none left. (There is no need to check twice, as naughty or nice is not applicable here.) Consider creating a permanent “party” template on your computer. Make it official. Call it imaginatively, “eternal party planning list.” The things you have to do before your company arrives … Continue reading →

The Cocktail Party: Guess Who’s Coming?

You’ve decided to have a party and now it’s time to plan for the event. What’s next? First decide who you don’t want to invite and then work your way back from there. Consider some of the following options. Extend invitations by phone if you are planning to invite no more than a dozen guests. The telephone has the advantage of gleaning immediate results, provided you can pin down the party of the second part, also known as the invitee. Learn from telemarketers who claim they can get their hands on their intended prey usually between the hours of 5pm … Continue reading →

The Birth of The Cocktail Party

Where did the word “cocktail” come from? Have you ever wondered while supping and sipping or even just sipping? The answer is that no one really knows for sure, but there is a persistent urban legend about it dating back to 1779 that is worth recounting. Betsy Flanagan was an innkeeper near Yorktown and her husband was killed in the American Revolution. Many of her patrons were American and French soldiers. The inn was next door to a farm that was owned by an Englishman. In an effort to boost war morale, Betsy promised her customers a feast of roasted … Continue reading →