by Lee Abby

Created on: July 18, 2008

Want to get the crew together for an evening of cocktails?

Three words sum it up.

Keep...it...simple. It is fantastic to idealize Sex In The City - esqe soirees, yet - hardly attainable if you still wish to make it home from work in time to grab a shower and actually ENJOY organizing the event. Nobody likes a stressed out hostess in dire need of pity praise. Your guests will drain the free liquor and take off to a REAL party if you can't be the Host/ess with the most/ess.

One of the easiest cocktail parties to throw is a Hawaiian theme bash. The eclectic colors and touristy prints, make it impossible to clash colors and drink ware.

Give yourself a 2 week time frame. It is always possible to pull a last minute party together if you need to, but be fair to yourself, and pick a day that sandwiches two relatively less stressful than others. That way, the day before pressure of making your home "guest worthy" as well as lessening the stress of cleanup afterwards, will take off the pressure of the impact on your home.

Once you have decided the day and the guest list...have a little fun with the preliminary stages. Most dollar stores have TONS of cheap party favors that seem silly at first. You would be surprised what a handful of you' yo's, glow stick straws and flashing gaudy pins strategically placed near the punchbowl can do.

Take a few dollars and indulge in cocktail umbrellas, Festive tacky fruit cups, random Lei's in the event there is a reluctant costume wearer that night. Hit the local thrift store and sift through their selections of men's printed shirts, bright island style wraps in vibrant colors and as many strands of seashells you can find. ( I swear EVERY thrift store in North America, makes it easy to find strands of shells.)

Don't break the bank, if you allow yourself some time to genuinely look through thrift stores and bargain shops, you would be amazed at how far 20 or 30 dollars can take you. Easing a hopefully diverse crowd to mesh together, is always far easier with the addition of party favors. Anything you find, can be put into dishes, baskets by the door - or draped over focal pieces of furniture.

There is always someone who chooses to have a few too many far too early, and plays dress up to provoke a laugh and break the ice. While inevitably, this guest may be the first to exit the party, in some strange twist, your less than loose guests will be inspired to have a laugh as well.

When you are throwing a cocktail party based on the sole idea of gathering...you

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