Apartment Entertaining: Cocktail Party Planning

Planning an apartment cocktail party can be just as fun as throwing it! It’s your way to get creative at home and entertain guests however you like. If you stay focused, you can put together an impressive party with the right drinks, appetizers and themes. Make sure you cover these few key areas to not only make your guests happy, but to also make the planning process fun and easy.

Pick a Theme for the Cocktail Party

Having a theme makes party planning much easier and will be more fun for your guests. Themes can vary from holidays to special events (such as The Grammys), or you can get creative and host a specific event like a “Desserts and Cocktails” party or an apartment party with a “Dress Like Your Favorite Celebrity” theme. From there, you can base your food, drink, music and decor selections off of the theme. Be sure to take your apartment into account; some themes may work better for a small space.

Decide on Food & Drinks

Deciding up front on how much food and drink you want and can afford is important. To keep costs low, pick 2-3 types of drinks and make them before your guests arrive. It will be a lot easier because it’s hard to be a bartender and host. For example, use vodka for your base so you can make a few types of cocktails with different mixers. Choose easy to prepare finger foods like hummus and chips or fruit kabobs. Also, try getting a combination of sweet and savory appetizers because most people like the balance of the two.

Nail Down the Invite List

Only invite what your apartment can fit comfortably. This will also help you stick to a budget and ease some stress because the difference between 8 guests and 20 is significant. To make the party memorable, try designing your own invite. You don’t have to be a creative-maven, but a personal touch won’t go unnoticed. Plus, a good invite will get your guests excited for your cocktail party.

Use these easy tips as your party planning guide. Be sure to pick a theme, create fabulous drinks and have a lot of fun!