Let's Have a Party: Is Your Home Ready? - Page 4

• Drink. Guests love to unwind with a luscious cocktail, and martinis are a classic choice. Not everyone will choose to imbibe, however, so be a thoughtful host and offer a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, such as mineral water, soda, and punches, for those who choose not to drink. Estimate about one cocktail per hour per guest.

• Eats. Go easy on yourself and prepare whatever appetizers you can a day early. Purchase veggie and cheese trays at your local supermarket to save time. Cheese fondues, with plenty of vegetables and bread for dipping, make great retro snacks. Dips and pates served with crackers are a breeze to set up. For a modern-day barbecue, do some quick grilling with pre-marinated shrimp kebabs, corn on the cob, or barbecue chicken. Put some thought into food presentation. Drape a brightly colored tablecloth on the buffet table. Place appetizers and snacks on decorative trays and plates and in colorful bowls. Flowers are always a nice touch.

• Music. Set the mood with good music. Cool Jazz, bossa nova, lounge music, and crooners like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Bublé are nice choices for retro theme parties, but you may also want to program your CD player or iPod for a variety and mixture of themes, artists, and tempos. Keep it fun.

• Chatter. Organize 'zones' for conversation by placing groups of chairs and small tables around different parts of your backyard. Things will get shifted as guests begin to mingle, but it's important for people to have a place to set down drinks and plates while they chat.