Entertaining 101: Cocktail Party Supplies and Essentials

There’s a simple recipe to hosting a killer cocktail party — mix one part tasty snacks with two parts delicious drinks. Add a splash of style and flair, and then serve. Pretty fun, right?

Entertaining friends or family for a cocktail party can be that easy with these cocktail party entertaining tips from Monica Benavidez from Monica Wants It. Cheers!
 
I won’t lie — I prefer my gatherings to feel a bit more formal. It’s not every day that I get to dress up and host people in my home, so I love to give people the opportunity to feel like they’re having a fancy night out … at my house, for free.
 
Hands down the International Lux Bar Cart. It gives you options for entertaining effortlessly and adds counter space to any room in the house. You can use it as a bar, obviously, or as a portable food station to hold all the plates, flatware and glassware guests will need during a dinner party. It’s like a china cabinet on wheels!



EXPERT PICK: The International Lux Bar Cart has wheels and a modern etched pattern on two-glass shelves.
 
All entertainers need a sideboard with ample storage for everything from wine to dinnerware and décor. Use the top for setting food buffet style for a cocktail party and bottom shelves for extra bottles of wine and big serving dishes. 



EXPERT PICK: The Soft Modern Sideboard is a large piece with plenty of storage. Its unique design features make it a sure conversation starter. 


 
I love when guests gather around the dining table or in our small sitting area perfect for after-dinner drinks or one-on-one conversations. Another popular spot is in our living room, where we can easily sit six or eight people around our fireplace and TV.


 
I like to keep it easy and serve dishes either buffet or family style so guests can choose what they want. Rather than spread the food around, I like to set up a simple buffet spread that guests can walk through to get food.



EXPERT TIP: Use a mobile bar cart as a buffet in the middle of the room so guests can grab snacks from all sides.
 
My husband loves to cook, so that’s where he’s in charge; I tackle the drinks, appetizers and desserts. By sticking to what we’re good at, we make a great team.

EXPERT PICK: Nothing tops a homemade spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. The dip goes well with tortilla chips, pita chips, French bread or crackers. It comes together in minutes and feeds an army. Yum!
 
If I’m hosting a cocktail party, I try to provide the entrée and sides for my guests. Overall, my philosophy is to make the experience as fun and easy as possible for my guests, so I avoid potluck-style gatherings.



EXPERT TIP: If guests insist on bringing something, suggest they bring a dessert or wine/liquor to stock the bar for the party.
 
A no-fail cocktail party menu features a combination of two to four of the following:

• Cheeseboard (two to three cheeses, nuts, crackers, bread)
• Fruit (strawberries or grapes)
• Desserts (bite-size brownies, mini pies/tarts, cookies or petit fours)
• Simple protein entrees (chicken skewers, beef tenderloin sliders or shrimp cocktail)
• Vegetarian options (mozzarella/basil/tomato skewers, Margherita flatbread or mason jar salads)
• Bar (red, white and sparkling wines; vodka, whiskey and tequila, plus sodas, mixers and garnishes)

 
I adopt a 60/40 rule when entertaining. I’ll make or prepare 60% of the food and the other 40%, like desserts or cheeseboards, is store-bought. This makes my life easier and less stressful, and it leaves me plenty of time to focus on my décor.


 
I love to coordinate my parties around a color palette. Usually the runners and napkins will be similar patterns or colors, and I’ll use metallic gold or silver charger plates and accents to provide a nice contrast to my white plates and platters.





EXPERT TIP: Use flowers as a centerpiece for a bold pop of color. Unscented votive candles in mercury glass candle holders provide sparkle and warmth.
 
Underestimating how much food, wine, liquor or ice is needed to host a party. It’s never fun to have to send someone on a store run in the middle of a party (or order pizza because you ran out of food … yup, I’ve been there and did that as a newlywed!).

EXPERT TIP: Plan ahead and buy more cocktail party supplies than you think you’ll need! Leftovers are never a bad thing, but running out of something can definitely damper the party vibe.


   

• Plan ahead. Choose a simple menu, and go grocery shopping two to three days in advance. Make sure you’re all set with cocktail party supplies in advance. Make centerpieces, set the table, iron napkins and wash glassware early, too. You may still end up with last-minute preparations, but you’ll be more prepared this way.
• A food bar — taco bar, nacho bar, pasta bar, slider/sandwich stations —alleviates the pressure of cooking different foods and is an easy, interactive way for guests to customize their food.
• Ask for help! Invite your BFF over to help prep and shop with you. 

 
Make sure your bathroom is ready for guests! Have plenty of toilet paper out where people can easily see where it is, bring out the nice hand soap and hand towels, light a linen-scented candle and have some aspirin, antacid, etc., ready for guests to use. These touches make a huge difference in making guests comfortable.