Parties & More Parties

I have been incognito because I have been busy attending some very fun parties, including one at Carol's house. If you are beginning to think that Carol is the most prolific hostess ever, you would be correct. She hosted a 50th birthday party for our friend Lynn, who happens to be the runner up (just in case Carol cannot fulfill her duties) most prolific hostess ever. This party for 50 or so people was the night after the spaghetti dinner party for her daughter's ENTIRE forensics team. Yep, back to back parties, people.

Now most of us would shy away from doing something like this, or would still be in recovery from the previously mentioned scavenger hunt party. How does she do it? I have some theories, but embracing them successfully means that you have to throw out the window many of the Martha Stewart-esque party hosting notions you may have. Work with me here, ok?

First, do not clean your house top to bottom. People should not be running around touring your bedrooms and what not anyway,* so just make sure that the bathrooms are clean, and have hand soap, towels and toilet paper. No one notices (or, at least, cares about) dirt if they're having fun. And they'll have more fun if you haven't made yourself nuts cleaning all day.

Second, have a theme for your party, even if it's just a small, casual dinner with friends. This makes it easier to set the menu, and then, if you have kids, they can contribute by making some fun table decorations or concocting activities. For a Chinese New Year party we hosted, my kids made lanterns out of construction paper (nothing fancy), some signs saying "Happy New Year" in Chinese, and a "pin the tail on the Boar" game. The kids felt like part of the process and it was all stuff they could do with minimal supervision.

Third, have a signature drink. If it's thai food, serve something fun and frothy from a coconut or pineapple. In the case of this last party, it was a "Lynn-tini" in honor of the birthday girl, and lots of Guiness and Harp (it was also St. Patrick's Day). Keep the drink selections simple, and more often than not, everyone will find something to drink.

Fourth, you do not need to prepare everything in advance. People love to help, and if you have a few things that require last minute assembly, guests can help with this. Then, you've got company in the kitchen, and they feel like they've done more than stand around and be served.

Give these tips a try and let me know how it goes!

*Unless you live in a real showcase house with hot and cold running staff, in which case, have the staff tidy up, because people will want the grand tour.