Fancy Sips & Party Dips

This book contains helpful tips and information to guarantee that your evening will be a success. • What is the occasion? • Is it purely for pleasure? • How many guests will you invite? • How many guests can you afford to invite? Once you have decided how many guests to invite, it’s time to focus on the menu, drinks and decorations. Allow the food and drinks to take center stage. Dress up your room with the most elegant flower arrangements that you can afford. Light the room with candles, and play some nice (soft Jazz) music in the background. Planning your menu will naturally be determined by your budget. Even on a limited budget, it is possible to provide an elegant, yet simple selection of party food for your guests. Orchestrate an appetizer party with ease by preparing a buffet. A fairly standard formula for appetizers per person is twelve servings per person times the number of guests divided by the number of different entrees. If the guest list has fewer than 45 people, plan on providing six different appetizers. When the appetizers are the entire meal, offering some substantial entrees such as meatballs, cold sliced roast beef, and ham are a must. For smaller gatherings of eight to ten guests, three different appetizers are suitable. For fourteen to sixteen guests, plan on serving four to five different appetizers. * Tips for Savory Tea Sandwiches * Appetizers * The Perfect Cheese Platter * What cheeses should you purchase and how much * Cheese Platter Themes * Arranging Your Cheese Platter * Pairing Cheese with Beer and Wine * A Few Final Tips for Planning Your Cocktail Party * Party Punch Tips (and how to make a festive party ring for your punches)