Easy Entertaining Tips

DRINKS

 
• A shaken-versus-stirred rule of thumb: Shake mixer-heavy drinks that can be hazy and frothy, and stir liquor-laden cocktails you wish to keep clear -- such as martinis (no matter what James Bond might say).
 
• Make Brunello wine sauce on the cheap by substituting Rosso di Montalcino.
 
• Keep white wines like Chardonnay in the fridge and remove 15 minutes before serving.
 
• Use a Thermos as a cocktail shaker. It keeps the ice extra-cold and doubles as a strainer.
 
• Slice and freeze fresh peaches to use as ice cubes in lemonade.
 
• Freeze cocktails overnight for a party -- the liquor makes the drink slushy.
 
• Stir leftover chocolates into steamed milk to make instant hot cocoa.
 
• Freeze tea and coffee into cubes so iced drinks won't get watered down.
 
• Rim cocktail glasses with crushed hard candy insead of sugar.
 
• Dunk champagne bottles in ice water instead of ice for a faster chill.
 
• Place stoneware mugs in a 200°F oven for a few minutes before serving hot chocolate.
 
• Keep a jar of simple syrup in the fridge to sweeten iced tea or lemonade.
 

FOOD

 
• After a spicy main course, serve scoops of lemon sorbet as a palate cleanser before dessert.
 
• Ask potluck dinner guests to bring copies of their recipes with the dishes.
 
• Upgrade bread and butter for a party by whipping chopped herbs into softened herbs.
 
• Eat dessert on the porch and give dinner-party guests a change of scenery.
 
• Skip dessert and bring out a tray of dried fruit, nuts and chocolate.
 
• Line your cheese tray with butcher paper so you can write the name of each piece right next to it.
 
• Dress up ice cream with ground espresso beans.
 
• Scoop sorbet into hollowed-out oranges for dessert.
 

INVITATIONS

 
• Mail old 4-by-6-inch photos as invitations to your next dinner party.
 

TABLE SETTINGS

 
• Liven up your next holiday dinner party -- just ask everyone to change seats before dessert.
 
• Label glasses with a grease pencil at your next party -- the names will wipe off later.
 
• Elevate your serving platter by using chopsticks as a trivet.
 
• At your next dinner party, use paint-chip cards as colorful placeholders.
 
• Add uncooked rice to your shaker to keep salt from clumping.
 
• Toss a few pieces of chalk in the silverware drawer to keep utensils from tarnishing.
 

DECORATIONS

 
• Dress up a wreath with strung cranberries and bunches of rosemary.
 
• Add a little lemon-lime soda to your vase to keep flowers fresh.
 
• Rub a little olive oil on candlesticks to keep wax from sticking.
 
• Dim the lights -- a 45-watt bulb casts a flattering glow, and is still bright enough to encourage mingling.
 
• Push a small pin through the tops of stems to keep tulips from drooping.
 
• Place candles in the fridge for an hour before a party. They'll burn slowly and evenly.
 

PARTY FAVORS

 
• Send guests home with a mix CD after your next party.
 
• Pamper your guests with steaming washcloths -- just dampen and roll up the cloths, then microwave for 45 seconds.
 
• When you're giving away holiday candy, present it in a large mug; the candy will disappear but the cup won't.
 

OUTDOOR EVENTS

 
• Place a bunch of fresh basil on your outdoor table to repel mosquitoes.
 
• Keep a picnic tablecloth in place by tying small rocks onto the ends.