Easy and Elegant
Don’t you hate it when you overcommit? The holidays are not over, New Year’s Eve is around the corner and friends and family will be gathering at your place because you wanted to throw a party. What were you thinking a month ago when a big bash seemed like a brilliant idea?
Of course you want to make your shindig special, even when you don’t have the energy. But lest you think that throwing a fete is nerve-wracking, the first rule to remember for a fabulous party is that you should never appear fatigued.
And you won’t be done in, because we’ll show you how to do it right.
Pulling off a party is as easy as having family for dinner, except this time you add a dose of sparkle and tad of starch. There are only three ingredients: food, drink and friends.
Don’t over-think the friends part. You might find that folks from different walks can enjoy each other’s company. You can never predict who will connect, and that’s part of the fun.
Here are some more ideas for a smooth celebration:
THE SETTING
Background music only, please. There is no faster way to kill a party than when the music is so loud it prevents conversation. If guests have to raise their voices, they probably won’t. First they become disinterested, boredom follows, and the party fails.
Pick classics that all ages enjoy such as Tony Bennett or Old Blue Eyes, and keep the volume between sing-along and chitchat level.
DECORATIONS
If it comes in a cellophane wrap, save it for another time. Instead add casual elegance with fresh flowers and bowls of potpourri. There are few things as pretty for table arrangements as a tray of ripe pears or a vase or two of fresh greens gathered from the garden.
BLING
Sparkle should come from your fireplace and candles, not glittery paper products. Do what photo stylists do to add wow to your rooms: turn on every light (even during the day) but play with the dimmer switch to achieve soft, face-flattering illumination.
THE GOOD DISHES
Save the paper plates for picnics, and pull out the pottery or china instead. Even simple dishes such as seafood chowder seem more delicious in a pretty bowl.
Run your dinner napkins to the dry cleaner and ask for starch. Something as simple as starched linens makes guests feel that you really tried.
KITCHEN CENTRAL
You can pre-cook your entire menu and be frazzled by the time your guests arrive, or you can gather your ingredients and cook as the party goes along.
With a big pot of help-yourself soup, a side of crunchy bread, a cheese board set up, wine opened and a pitcher of martinis ready, pulling a tray of something hot and delicious from the oven every half-hour or so will keep your guests coming and going to find out what culinary treat you’re offering next.
LIQUIDS
Set a simple bar. A selection of beer and wine, one mixed drink that you make ahead, and a punch bowl of non-alcoholic something-or-other is more than enough to hydrate the house.
MENU
Select a simple menu. Think of foods that are easy to eat while standing up — nothing too drippy or napkin-dependent.
Aim for a balance of something hearty for hungry guests and a few finger foods for friends who predictably head straight for the bar.
Plan for a light finish such as cookies, coffee or tea.
SIZE
Smaller spaces are better. Nothing kills a party like too much room to move around. You want your guests to be comfortably squeezed. If you have a total of 12 chairs in your home, invite 15 people. Throw your decorative pillows on the floor so guests can cozy up in front of the fire or around the coffee table.
ENTERTAINMENT
Set out a quick, easy game such as checkers. Pick a room to put the football game on, but make sure the volume is off. Put someone in charge of pulling out the Polaroid to take group photos. Hand the photos to guests as party favors.
Tips on being a good guest
Every invitation should be replied to with an offer to bring something or help. Don’t bring flowers. They make a busy host or hostess fumble to find a vase.
Instead pick up pretty cocktail napkins, something for breakfast the next morning, or your favorite prepared and already plated party food (but call ahead first and ask if your hostess would like more party food).
A supportive guest will grab a serving tray and help with the hors d’oeuvres.
Know when it is time to go. If your host or hostess starts yawning, exchanges party shoes for slippers, starts fidgeting with the dishes or tidying the coffee table, it’s a non-verbal signal to grab your coat.