How to Throw a Killer Party!

by Cheri Tugmon

Now that you've grown up, it's time to throw a "Real" Party.

To keep from being stressed out over this venture, gather a few of your friends.

Present the idea of throwing a party. Discuss if they would be willing to contribute to the total cost for food, alcohol and decorations.

Together you can decide who will be assigned to each task. This will make it much easier to have a successful party.

Serve exciting foods. They don't have to be extensive, just creative. Bring in a caterer, if your budget allows. It will ease the headache of preparing culinary delights, unless cooking is your specialty. If you're like me it's not! If there is a theme party involving another country, ask a visitor from that country to help and to be a guest. This serves two purposes. First, it helps the visitor make new friends. Second, it gives your other friends a taste of a country they probably will not be able to visit.

Stock your liquor cabinet, if appropriate, for the kind of get together you are having. Nothing stops a party dead in its tracks faster than the well going dry. Don't serve beer by the keg.

No need to fill the bathtub with ice! This eliminates the tacky plastic cups. You can rent fancier glassware. Chilling the glassware in the freezer will help keep the drinks cooler as well.

Assign one of your friends to be the bartender, hire one, or take turns. If you don't, you will not be able to have time to socialize with your guests.

Don't invite too many guests! Overcrowding is too uncomfortable for you and your Guests. Be realistic about space and don't get carried away with those invitations.

Use real stationary to invite. Don't contact guests via phone.

Don't forget to put all pertinent information and to add directions, if needed.

Stockpile toilet paper and display it openly in the restroom. Place it in baskets or behind an obvious door with a sample draped over it, etc. Get some aromatherapy going to help eliminate odors. Burn a couple of strongly scented candles.

If one of your friends is into music, let them pick the latest or most fitting CD's for the occasion. For instance, if your guests are from your College or even High School Days, having music from that time frame would be a fun idea. This will bring up memories and start conversations.

Liven up your place with a few simple, elegant items. Candles and flowers may be purchased inexpensively, if you shop around.

If you do serve alcohol, have a designated driver, who is to remain sober to drive guests, in case of overindulgence. Alternatively, have the phone listings of the Taxi Services handy.

Collect the keys of your guests when they arrive. This causes them to get an opinion about their ability to drive when they collect them to leave. Stop serving drinks two hours before the party ends.

Replace alcohol with food and nonalcoholic drink so the body will have time to absorb the drink. This is very important to consider since some courts have allowed lawsuits to address the source of the alcohol when the person has an accident while intoxicated. Serve non- alcoholic beverages. It is possible that some of your guests will not want to drink alcohol.

Here are some great-tasting nonalcoholic"Mocktails":

Thanks to the Washington regional Alcohol Program and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles for these recipes.

Designated Driver's Delight

-2 1/2 oz. orange juice
-1 1/4 oz. pineapple juice
-1 1/4 oz. cranberry juice
-2 scoops vanilla ice cream
-3-4 frozen strawberries
Mix in a blender until smooth. Serve in a hurricane glass with an orange slice and a strawberry.

The Enforcer
-fresh brewed coffee
-Whipped cream
-Chocolate sprinkles
-Sugar cubes
-Cinnamon
Pour coffee into a mug and stir in 2 sugar cubes and a dash of cinnamon. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

Red Delicious Punch
-Pour two bottles of nonalcoholic sparkling cider into a punch bowl. Mix in 1 quart of cranberry juice. Float a frozen ice ring and garnish with sprigs of mint.

Now that you know: have fun and Throw a Killer Party!

About the Author:

Copyright 1999 Cheri Tugmon
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Contact: Cheri Tugmon mailto:ctumgon@hotmail.com

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