Tips to Make Your First Cocktail Party Successful
A cocktail party or social mixer is an informal party with a more relaxed vibe. As the term suggests, hosts serve cocktails and light snacks for everyone to enjoy while mingling with other guests. It’s a great alternative to formal dinners, especially if guests are expected to have dinner plans after the party or have already had dinner before that. In addition, since it has a more relaxed vibe, guests would feel more comfortable talking with each other, even those they’ve only met for the first time.
Although it has a relaxing vibe, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to plan through the details as you would a formal party. It’s a must to think about the particulars if you want an elegant and impressive cocktail party. If it’s your first time hosting one, here are some tips to help you make your first social mixer successful.
Set the date
Every great party requires proper planning, and you need ample time to do that. If you are on a time crunch, working on all the details and making the best choices would be challenging. You will find several tips for planning a cocktail party, but the first decision to make is always the date. With this in mind, you will have a target, and you will know how much time you have left in your hands. Moreover, you can inform your guests early, giving them enough time to make the necessary adjustments to their schedules so they can make it to the event. Since people are probably busy with their various commitments, many may not show up if they have little time to prepare.
Decide who to invite
If you are a social butterfly, you may know many people and are not sure whom to invite. Narrow down your guest list. It could be a get together of old school friends, a reunion for your relatives, or a party that has a mix of your friends, colleagues, and family. Although it may include family or relatives, this party is not for kids, so be sure to remind them that it is an adult-only event. It will also help those with children find someone to watch over their kids on the day of the event. Moreover, it would give you a better idea of how much food and drinks to prepare.
Send an elegant invitation
Text messages and chats are a quicker and more convenient way to invite guests. However, invitations set the tone and take the party to another level. Depending on your preference, you may choose to send printed or electronic invites. Get the help of a professional to design it to ensure that you get the elegant feel you are after. Then, send it at least a month before the cocktail party.
Prepare the drinks
Cocktail drinks are the life of a cocktail party, as the term already speaks for itself. Offer a drink as soon as guests arrive. Since not everyone may drink alcohol, prepare non-alcoholic drinks too. There are several mocktails that imitate the look of cocktails but without alcohol. Prepare plenty of ice because drinks are no fun if not chilled. Choose the glassware too because they add to the total experience.
Serve scrumptious snacks
Heavy meals are not typical in cocktail parties. Instead, light and delicious snacks are the best choices. Ensure you have a variety of snacks available to satisfy every palate. Have cold and hot dishes, meat, spreads, cheese, crackers, and seafood. Some examples are bacon and jalapeno poppers, stuffed mushrooms, and coconut shrimps. Set the table with elegant details, including the table napkins, plates, and cloth to use.
Give out party favours
Prepare something that your guests could take home, which would also remind them of your fabulous cocktail party. Some great ideas are customised drink pouches, drink stirrers, and drink mixes.
Go around and mingle with your guests. It’s your role as a host to ensure that everyone has fun and does not feel left out. Since it is an event to socialise, introduce those who are meeting for the first time, so they could get to know each other.
