Rocking? after midnight – 10 tips for throwing a killer party
http://www.culturesociety.net/articles/8298/1/Rocking-after-midnight--10-tips-for-throwing-a-killer-party/Page1.html
Annie Deakin
The editor of the online magazine mydeco. My current interest in By Annie Deakin
Published on 08/14/2009
Tips and advice on how to throw a successful party for all your guests.
Rocking? after midnight – 10 tips for throwing a killer party
The season of festive frivolity has nearly passed, but there's still time to welcome in New Year's with a fabulous bash to impress. Follow our essential party tips and make sure yours goes out with a bang (and we're not just talking about the fireworks).
Lead the way: It's really not a party until the guests arrive so make sure to let them know exactly where they're going. This Party sign (£7) from Garden Trading will lead them straight to the good times. One less excuse for the fashionably late.
Give them a royal welcome: Get the evening going with pre-poured wine and champagne to greet friends at the entrance. Display on trays in tall glasses, like these handblown Myra Champagne coupe glasses in red, (£5) each from Habitat. Both stylish and affordable, they'll still look great at the end of the evening (even if some of the guests don't).
Serve finger food: Don't let your party fizzle with shabby crisps and dip. Cocktail food will let your guests know you have taken the trouble to make the evening special. Serve using these colourful Silverskin cocktail forks (£9.99) from Corvus, then rinse them off and use them as cocktail stirrers.
Shake up the drinks: Cosmopolitan, Cuba Libre or Capirinha; it's not a party without a cocktail or two.
Rattle up a storm with this retro cherry top cocktail shaker (£19.95) from the Conran Shop, and get the matching ice
bucket and wine cooler for a complete bar set. Host a practice round before the big night to perfect your recipes - you won't have a shortage of willing taste-testers.
Save the washing up: Be kind to yourself and hand out these Dice rings (£16) from Arthur Price for guests to slip round their glasses. They'll be able to keep a watchful eye on their tipple and you'll be able to spend the evening mingling instead of rinsing half-empty glasses.
Entertain with accessories: Short of party games? Guests can test each other with these What's your poison? pulp board coasters (£5 for eight), by frank for thorsten van elten. They make a striking dislpay on any table or counter and all the more fun if nobody knows the answers.
Keep bottles cold: Warm beer won't do anything to maintain the party spirit. The Extremis IceCube
designed by Danny Venlet (£705) at Nest will keep drinks well chilled and its polyethylene light
design will certainly attract attention. The price will set you back a bit, but two thumbs up for a fabulous party centrepiece that will wow your revellers.
Sparkle when the clock strikes: If a fancy firework display is a little out of your budget, opt for these dinner party sparklers, (£4.49) from The Contemporary Home. Light when the clock strikes 12, serve with generous helping of champers.
Promise good fortune: As the event draws to a close, wish your guests a happy, healthy New Year with these Chinese Fortune sticks, (£18) from Notonthehighstreet.com. There's nothing like a bit of positive energy to ensure your invitation is reciprocated in 2008.
Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com and is currently very impressed by the great range of fire surrounds, baths and bathrooms.
Lead the way: It's really not a party until the guests arrive so make sure to let them know exactly where they're going. This Party sign (£7) from Garden Trading will lead them straight to the good times. One less excuse for the fashionably late.
Give them a royal welcome: Get the evening going with pre-poured wine and champagne to greet friends at the entrance. Display on trays in tall glasses, like these handblown Myra Champagne coupe glasses in red, (£5) each from Habitat. Both stylish and affordable, they'll still look great at the end of the evening (even if some of the guests don't).
Serve finger food: Don't let your party fizzle with shabby crisps and dip. Cocktail food will let your guests know you have taken the trouble to make the evening special. Serve using these colourful Silverskin cocktail forks (£9.99) from Corvus, then rinse them off and use them as cocktail stirrers.
Shake up the drinks: Cosmopolitan, Cuba Libre or Capirinha; it's not a party without a cocktail or two.
Rattle up a storm with this retro cherry top cocktail shaker (£19.95) from the Conran Shop, and get the matching ice
bucket and wine cooler for a complete bar set. Host a practice round before the big night to perfect your recipes - you won't have a shortage of willing taste-testers.
Save the washing up: Be kind to yourself and hand out these Dice rings (£16) from Arthur Price for guests to slip round their glasses. They'll be able to keep a watchful eye on their tipple and you'll be able to spend the evening mingling instead of rinsing half-empty glasses.
Entertain with accessories: Short of party games? Guests can test each other with these What's your poison? pulp board coasters (£5 for eight), by frank for thorsten van elten. They make a striking dislpay on any table or counter and all the more fun if nobody knows the answers.
Keep bottles cold: Warm beer won't do anything to maintain the party spirit. The Extremis IceCube
designed by Danny Venlet (£705) at Nest will keep drinks well chilled and its polyethylene light
design will certainly attract attention. The price will set you back a bit, but two thumbs up for a fabulous party centrepiece that will wow your revellers.
Sparkle when the clock strikes: If a fancy firework display is a little out of your budget, opt for these dinner party sparklers, (£4.49) from The Contemporary Home. Light when the clock strikes 12, serve with generous helping of champers.
Promise good fortune: As the event draws to a close, wish your guests a happy, healthy New Year with these Chinese Fortune sticks, (£18) from Notonthehighstreet.com. There's nothing like a bit of positive energy to ensure your invitation is reciprocated in 2008.
Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com and is currently very impressed by the great range of fire surrounds, baths and bathrooms.