The Quick List: Prepping For Your New Year's Party

New Year's Eve is always a special time of year- one week after the hectic Christmas rush and the start of a whole new year of possibilities.  By your mid-twenties most of us have experienced the overblown & expensive hotel party experience.  If this type of NYE bash is not your style and you are opting for throwing your own house party, here are a few tips to make your night more enjoyable and keep your guests happy.

#1.  A new chic way to label drinks.  This idea is so easy, inexpensive and awesome that I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before!  Dip the base of your wine glasses in chalkboard paint so guests can write their names on their glass AND the chalk will rinse off in the wash  ready for your next party!  This chalkboard paint to label idea can also be used on pint glasses and on wine glasses to give pairing ideas as well.

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#2. Instead of spending a lot on a full bar, have a champagne bar.  Champagne is the drink for celebrations and specifically for New Year's Eve.  Create a champagne bar with different types of champagne, fresh sliced fruit and juices so guests can make any tasty cocktail from mimosas to bellinis to whatever their imagination can envision.  Also a free standing bar means the hosts can be free to mingle and not play bartender all night long.  Let guests know ahead of time that you are supplying a champagne bar and they are welcome to bring any other alcohol if they are not champagne drinkers.

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#3. Decide ahead of time what your crash policy is.  This is one of the few holiday parties throughout the year that you can almost guarantee that guests will want to crash at your place instead of go home at the end of the night.  There are few things worse than drinking the night away carefree only to realize that there is no room for you to stay over.   Hosting guests overnight brings a whole new set of responsibilities.  In addition to letting guests know how many people can stay over comfortably and asking them to bring pillows and blankets, make sure you have all your linens clean and ready to go.  Maybe even put a few 'night lights' around for people who are not familiar with your house to navigate in the dark.  A nice touch is to leave a basket of helpful items in each room/ area where people will be staying over to include; bottled water, tylenol, tissues, travel toothbrush set and anything else you think your guests might need.  Better for people to find the ammenities basket than try to wake you in the middle of the night for something.

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Do you have any other NYE party tips?  Leave them in the comments section or on the FCW facebook page!  Be safe and enjoy!

Attire, Alcohol & A Face Full Of Cake

As we are in the exact middle of summer, I'm sure that many of you have been at least one wedding this year.  All the attention at wedding is first on the couple, then their families and the wedding party.  But that doesn't excuse everyone else from being aware of their attire and actions.  Yes, there is a good chance that many guests will be in professional photos and you want to make a good impression.  Here is a quick list of do's and don'ts applicable for everyone involved:

1. Make sure that your clothes fit. No, really.  It is distracting and these photos are forever.  Attire, accessories and overall appearance are very important.  Obviously the bride's dress should not be too low and the groom's pant hem should not be too long- you should look your absolute best on your wedding day.  For guests, the same rules apply.  Men make sure your suit fits, coordinates AND is appropriate for the wedding.  Ladies, if you are wearing a short dress, make sure you have enough fabric to bend over, a few inches make all the difference.  If you are wear a long dress, practice walking & dancing so you don't trip.  And please take care of your tan lines ahead of time.  And lastly, know your jumping limits.

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2. Guests are part of the scenery, be on your best behavior.  Most guests are not aware of how many photos they will be in.  Touch up your makeup & make all attire adjustments in the bathroom.  Keep your club dance moves at home if you don't want them to be captured forever.  Don't drink your face off at the reception, that is why the professional photographer does not attend the afterparty.  These sound like basic rules but I have seen some of these party fouls for myself, it does happen.

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3. Again, these photos are forever. A little bit of cake on your nose is cute, a face full of smushed fondant is not.  Playfully reaching for the tossing bouquet is cute, leaping like a maniac is not.  Dressing up for the wedding is expected, attention-seeking attire is not (I'm looking at you, Princess Beatrice).  And lastly, picking your nose is never a 'do'.

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The air up there. In a plaid mini-skirt. Source

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Party Essentials: How to Stock Your Home Bar

One of the quickest ways to jumpstart any party or event is to have a great bar setup.  If it seems impossible to keep a stocked bar at home, you are in luck. If you have an upcoming party and just want the basics down, the geniuses at LifeHacker.com have simplified the task by creating an easy how to list for stocking your home bar for $100.  This article breaks the bar down for a small cocktail party, a 30 person soiree and a 'rager'.  If you are looking to furnish a complete bar, there are a few more guidelines.  Either way, you need to stock alcohol, mixers, glassware, and barware- its just a matter of how much.
   
Here is a list of the basic barware you need for a great cocktail station.  The basic list of alcohol is as follows; Bourbon, Brandy, Canadian Whiskey, Dark or Spiced Rum, Gin, Light Rum, Scotch, Tequila, Vodka, Rye Whiskey.  Obviously if you have a favorite drink or friends that fancy a particular flavored liquor, you might want to keep that in stock as well.  The basic list of liqeuers are as follows; Amaretto, Irish Cream, Creme de Caco, Coffee Liqueur, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Liqeuer.  Mixers are a long list and depending on your preferences, you may need feel the need to stock each one although the most common are light and dark sodas, juices, tonic water, and of course ice.  And last but not least, the list of garnishes ranges from margarita salt to orange slices for a Blue Moon (a personal favorite!). 

Additionally, make sure that you avoid a serious party foul by having enough glasses for the party.  Whether you choose red cups or martini glasses, ideally each guest should keep the same glass for the same type of drink but it is always safe to have extra glasses available.  Wine charms are a great way to identify different people's drinks in a fun way.  If you are having a more formal party, like an engagement party or an upscale birthday dinner, a great idea is to hire a bartender for the event.  Think of your friends' younger-but-of-legal-age siblings who would be willing to learn a few cocktails for some cash.  It will take the stress off the host to know that the bar is in good hands.  Cheers! 

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