Countdown to the Cocktail Party

We are getting ready for the cocktail party, and, in this post, I am going to outline the plan for how we’re going to get it all done and have a fun party and not feel like we’ve run a marathon when the guests arrive.

Three Weeks Ahead

• Make the guest list.
• Print and address and mail invitations–or you could do a Paperless invitation. I had some cute Crane printable cards already on hand, so I used those.
• Decide on a theme.
  • When I looked at what I had on hand, it happened to be a lot of holly–napkins, and the faux greenery that I had found at thrift stores, so that’s what we’re going with.
• Look at your party supplies.
  • Plates–I am using glass salad plates, and I have plenty of those, so I won’t need to do anything except run them through the dishwasher because I haven’t used them in a while.
  • Glassware–Again, I have a bunch of different types of glassware, and more than enough for this gathering. If you don’t have what you need, I highly recommend the thrift store. I have accumulated a bunch of cocktail glasses, for example, and the only thing they have in common is their general shape; they are clear glass; and most of them are etched. I personally think a mixture of glasses is charming, and makes it easy for people to remember which glass is theirs.
  • Napkins–I had a bunch of paper napkins with holly on them, but I didn’t have a coordinating cocktail napkin to use. One of my favorite hostess gifts is personalized cocktail napkins in a cute holder and I get them from American Stationery. I am giving myself this gift and ordered white cocktail napkins with embossed gold holly leaves and our name.
  • Flatware–depending on what type of event you’re having, you need to look at what flatware you have and determine if you have enough. I don’t know that anyone will use flatware, but I have some cute clear plastic cocktail forks that look like branches, which will be really cute with the holly theme.
• Determine your menu–food and drinks.

2 Weeks Out:

• Serving dishes–what are you going to use to serve each item?
  • Pull out what you’re planning to use and make sure that it’s clean and in good condition, especially if you haven’t used it in a while.
  • Plan what serving utensils you’re going to use. I ended up ordering an ice scoop because we didn’t have one. I may get some small tongs too.
  • Make a list of what you’re using and what goes where, especially if you’re going to have people helping you the day of the event. These are some of the items that I am planning to use. I pulled the silverplate out so that I could polish it since it was all really tarnished. I also needed to do a thorough cleaning on the two tier basket that I will use for toasts and chips.

• Centerpiece–Since this is a holiday event, I knew that I was going to use Christmas type items and have been searching for them.
  • Determine the container(s) and types of flowers if using florals.
  • As you already know, I often use items other than flowers. If going that route, do a mock up of what you plan to do to make sure that you have everything that you need. Take a picture of it once you’re happy with how it looks for reference the day of.

• Work on your shopping lists–what you can buy ahead of time (non-persishables, drinks, etc), and just before the party.
  • Make sure you include garnishes and mixers for drinks
  • LOTS of ice. (We will buy 60 lbs for this party and we’ll use the ice from the ice maker for mixing drinks.)
• If there’s space to store it for a little while, go ahead and get the buy-ahead items.

One week out:

• Make batched cocktails and store them in the refrigerator.
• Clean all the plates, flatware, glassware, etc. if necessary. Things get dusty, even in the cabinets.
• Launder and iron napkins if using cloth napkins.
• Mix up the rub for the ribs and any other sauces, etc. that can be done ahead of time.
• If there are items that can be frozen, make them and freeze them.
• I will make all of the toasts for my dips and stored them in an airtight container.

2 Days before the event:

• Clean the house–focus especially on the front porch/front door; and the bathrooms. (I usually don’t worry too much about the floors because they will be a mess after the event anyway.)
• Clear some room on the coffee and end tables so that people have room to set down their glasses.
• Do the final grocery shopping–except for the ice. Buy that the day of the event.
• Take any items made ahead of time out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator.
• Thaw the shrimp.
• Print menu cards.
• Print instructions for batched cocktails.
• Make chocolate chip cinnamon biscotti.
• Clear the counters in the laundry room; clean the sink; decorate the “bar” area.

1 Day before the event:

• Make all of the food, except for smoking the ribs and boiling the shrimp.
  • Prep cucumber rounds and cream cheese for Smoked Salmon Cucumber bites
  • Prep the Sundried tomato mixture for Sundried tomato and goat cheese spread
  • Make the cocktail and remoulade sauces
  • Make the deviled eggs.
  • Make Gluten Free Brownies with dark chocolate ganache.
  • Make pigs in blankets.
  • Pull the membrane off the ribs, pat dry, and put the dry rub on the ribs and refrigerate overnight.
  • Make hot chocolate and mulled cider.

Day of the event:

• Get the ribs on the smoker first thing and let them smoke at 250 for about 4 hours. Transfer them to casserole dishes and put in a 250 degree oven until done. Cut them into individual ribs and put in crockpot on warm until the party starts.
• Boil the shrimp and cool them. Put in refrigerator.
• Clean the kitchen and do last pass on the floors.
• Tidy the bathroom and make sure that there is extra toilet paper and extra hand towels available.
• Leaf blow the sidewalk, driveway, and front porch.
• Set up lanterns along sidewalk.
• Set up bar:
  • Set out glasses on trays–wine glasses, beer glasses, double old fashioned glasses and highball glasses.
  • Cut garnishes and put in dishes and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate till the party starts.
  • Arrange the drinks in the sink.
  • Write tags for the batched cocktails and tie them to the pitchers and set them on the bar.
  • Set out carafes and mugs for hot drinks along with Amaretto, Frangelico, and cinnamon whiskey.
  • Set out large bowl and scoop for ice for drinks.
• Set up the tray table and metal bucket for bones and dirty dishes.
• Set a recycling can in the laundry room and label it.
• Set up the buffet.
  • Place the centerpiece and any candles.
  • Set up all the serving dishes and serving utensils.
  • Set up the plates, napkins, and flatware.

2 hours before the party

• Get the ice and put it on the drinks.
• Let the sundried tomato spread come to room temperature
• Cut the ribs and transfer them to a crockpot on warm.
• Arrange desserts on the cake stands.
• Put toasts and chips in serving stand.

45 minutes before

• Assemble Smoked Salmon Cucumber rounds and arrange on tray. Set in refrigerator.
• Heat oven to warm pigs in blankets.
• Put deviled eggs on tray and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Pour batched cocktails into pitchers.
• Set out garnishes.
• Heat mulled cider and hot chocolate and pour into carafes.

30 minutes before the party starts

• Heat the pigs in blankets and put in chafing dish.
• Put the first round of ribs in the chafing dish.
• Spread the sundried tomato spread on dish and crumble goat cheese over it.
• Set out cocktail and remoulade sauces.
• Heat Spinach artichoke dip in the microwave and put into serving dish.

15 minutes before the party starts

• Set out deviled eggs–leave plastic on until the last minute so the tops don’t start to dry out.
• Put ice in silver bowl and set stainless bowl in it for shrimp and add shrimp.
• Set out Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rounds
• Enjoy a cocktail!