These party themes are designed for nibbling, sipping, chatting and dancing.
Even though you are not hosting a dinner party, people need to be fed enough to have the energy to party for a few hours and soak up the alcohol in their system.
Consider how to create the space for refreshments. If you are expecting 30 people or under, arrange a single table for food. For larger parties, lay out multiple smaller tables to create mini food stations. These will take up less room and stop congestion in one part of the house.
Don’t place a food or drink table near the entrance to prevent people blocking new guests from arriving.
Only offer food that is easy to eat with fingers. Aim for about 4-5 platters of food relevant to your theme and buffer the rest of the table with classic inexpensive party nibbles. Think dips and chips.
If you think any of your guests have food sensitivities, label food that is dairy free, gluten free, or vegetarian/vegan etc. Simple cardboard folding labels can either be cut in half and stuck on something, or folded over to stand by themselves.
Keep the drinks table separate so there is no risk of spillage messing up the food.
If you need to keep costs down, tell your friends to bring their own beer and wine in the invitations, and then buy ingredients to make a couple of rounds of cocktails. If you want to splurge and supply everything for your guests, make sure you have a mix of offerings including wine, soft drinks, juices and sparkling water. Not everyone likes beer.
If you have a bath, fill it with bags of ice to keep drinks cool. If not, use kitchen or laundry sinks.
Or if you have an outside space, use an old tub or planter, which you can use for plants later.
If you can, arrange for a friend to buy the ice about half an hour before the party is due to start.
Always have a pitcher of water on hand at various locations, particularly the dancing area.
As a rough guide, the amount of tableware to allow for spillages, breakages, and sudden changes in guest numbers you’ll need is:
- plates – 1.75 times the number of guests you’re expecting
- cups – 3 times the number of guests you’re expecting. People lose their drinks constantly
- napkins – 2.5 times the number of guests you’re expecting. They are bound to come in use when people knock something over
- cutlery – with a focus on finger food it’s unlikely you’ll need cutlery but if you have something that requires a fork or spoon, 1.5 times the number of guests you’re expecting.
Each party theme makes recommendations for tableware but you may prefer neutral (non-plastic) options.
Small plates are the perfect size and shape for your guests to sample food while standing and mingling with others.
Gold paper cups easily blend with most party themes.
As will polka dot paper napkins. Choose the color that works best for your theme or stick with silver or gold.
Wooden forks are a godsend for most appetizers.
