Let the Party Flow

A few weeks before the party, check out your home's layout to figure out how you can best get two dozen people to move about easily in your home. They will likely be moving from the front door to the buffet table and beyond. Can you move some furniture around to make a clear pathway to and from the table? Set up the beverage station away from the buffet table to keep people moving around.

To keep people from clustering in one spot, invite a few people to move to other rooms or areas of the house. As a few people move about, more are sure to follow. Keep a few bowls of nuts, mints or other nibbles around the house to let people nibble throughout the evening without having to go back to the buffet table.

Divide and Conquer

This menu allows you to easily make the food ahead of time, but come party time, you may want a good friend or relative to help out. This frees you up a bit to spend time with guests. Have a list of tasks your friend can help you with, such as baking appetizers, refilling buffet table, collecting used dishes and washing dishes.

Check into renting dishes and glasses. You'll find party rentals listed in the Yellow Pages, and the cost may be no more than good-quality disposable dishes. Usually, used dishes can be returned just rinsed. Or if you prefer a more casual get-together, choose from the huge assortment of available paper napkins, plates and plastic cups in coordinating colors and patterns.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Planning ahead helps prevent making too much or too little food. Depending on the length of the party and whether the party replaces a meal, figure out how much food you want to make ahead of time. For a two-hour party, a general rule to follow is about two servings of each appetizer for each guest. Guests will also want to try several types of dessert, so cut the pieces extra-small.

As for drinks, offer a wide variety of choices. Guests may drink three, four or more drinks throughout the evening. Take it easy on yourself by letting guests help themselves from a beverage table or bar stocked with glasses, cocktail napkins, ice buckets and chilled or warmed beverages.

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