Party Planning Basics

Party Tip: Make sure guests are clear on whether they're coming for dinner, cocktails, or both.

Party Action Plan: Include information in the invitation about what guests should expect. If your guests don't know that you're planning to serve dinner (or enough party food to be considered dinner), they'll plan to eat before or after the party, and you'll be left with too many leftovers.

Likewise, if you're serving light nibbles and drinks that aren't meant to be a full meal, be clear about the party portions or your guests may help themselves to more than you expected.

Party Tip: Personal invitations make the party a must-attend event, plus give you an accurate guest list.

Party Action Plan: Give yourself time to send out handwritten invitations (three weeks preparty is appropriate). Personal invites add a bit of flair to even the most casual party, plus they also help you narrow down the guest list (especially if you request an RSVPs.) Use our free invite template, available below, or design your own to fit your party's theme. Send the invitations with enough time before your party so you have enough time to plan!

Party Tip: Nail down the just-right amount of food that will feed your guests well and leave you with little to no leftovers. For a generous cocktail party, you should plan on having about 12 appetizer servings per guest.

Party Action Plan: According to the serving plan above, you'd need to have two pounds of chicken, 1-1/2 cups of dip, and 8 ounces of crackers for each guest to have two chicken wings, two tablespoons of dip, and four crackers.

For more information, grab our detailed appetizer quantity guides below. These are handy for planning both an appetizers-only party and determining how many appetizers to serve before dinner based on the number of guests at your party.

Party Tip: Make sure you buy enough drinks so each guest can drink one beverage per hour.

Party Action Plan: For a three-hour party with 12 people, you'll need six 6-packs of beer, eight bottles of wine, or two bottles of liquor and six bottles of mixers to quench their thirst. (Of course, you can always make the party BYOB to save on drink expenses!) See our tips for buying affordable wine for a large crowd, below.

Party Tip: Give yourself plenty of time to prep party food in case of last-minute distractions or mishaps.

Party Action Plan: For foods that can be made ahead and frozen, make one week in advance of the party. Wait to buy perishable items until two to three days before the event, and prepare any food that can be stored in the refrigerator then. (Our Mango Pico de Gallo, below, tastes even better when made a few days in advance.) Chill all beverages the morning of the party, buy ice (estimate 1 pound per guest), and use the few hours before guests arrive to prepare last-minute dishes.

Party Tip: Spend less time in the kitchen and more time playing hostess by making one or more of your party dishes in a slow cooker.

Party Action Plan: From dips and chicken wings to fancy cheese and snack mixes, we have a whole slideshow dedicated to slow cooker appetizers. Start with our Cherry-Pistachio Brie, below, and then browse more options to plan your party menu.

Party Tip: Make a few pitchers of a single party drink in advance to save time and cut back on party spending.

Party Action Plan: Keep party drinks simple by making a few pitchers of a classic party drink recipe -- such as our Sweet Cherry Sangria, below -- and make it a few hours ahead to cut last-minute stress.

Party Tip: Purchase about 50 percent more food than you think your guests will eat, but only set out what you need.

Party Action Plan: Keep no-prep fixes, such as cheese and cured meats, in the fridge and bring out as needed. If they're left untouched, they can always be used in sandwiches and other recipes later.

Party Tip: Add party-perfect presentation to food displays in minutes with different dishes, heights, and garnishes.

Party Action Plan: For simple style, group similar foods together, such as our Savory Party Dip (below) and crackers, on a compartmentalized tray. To add interest to a food display, use pedestal dishes to add height. Other ideas: Garnish dips with herbs, serve cocktails with bright drink umbrellas, or use dishes with bold colors to make a party statement.