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Help me plan a cocktail/dinner party!

JaniV123JaniV123 member
Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
edited August 2015 in Chit Chat
So classes start tomorrow and we are moving on Tuesday. I want to so 1 or 2 small get togethers, with my local friends and our friends from our hometown. 

I am so excited to break out all our new wedding gifts and such and I am in need of some ideas! 

So share some of your housewarming/dinner party stories! :) 

Edited for more appropriate title. Thanks for the clarification! 


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Re: Help me plan a cocktail/dinner party!

  • ShesSoColdShesSoCold mod
    Moderator 5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its
    I don't like housewarming parties - especially in rentals. They imply gifts so it feels gift grabby. Just throw a cocktail or dinner party at your new apartment.
    Image result for someecard betting someone half your shit youll love them forever
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  • jacques27jacques27 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers

    Agree with pp.  In my circle at least, housewarming parties are gift giving occasions where you bring things for the home - sometimes they are similar to hostess gifts (flowers, wine, chocolates), but they are usually decorative items for the home (picture frames, vases, decorative towels, candles).  You do housewarming parties when you move into a home you purchased - not a rental apt.  They are usually open house type events here with lots of hors d'ouerves and people drop in at some point during the open time period. 

    I say just throw a dinner party or game night if you just want to invite people over and show off your stuff.


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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    In my circle house warming are also gift giving events.  Rarely for an apartment.


    You know you can just invite people over for no real reason right?   

    As far as ideas go, what do you want?  Dinner party, hors d'ouerves, BBQ, open house.   I would first decide what kind of party you want to host and then go for there.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • novella1186novella1186 member
    5000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary First Answer
    lyndausvi said:
    In my circle house warming are also gift giving events.  Rarely for an apartment.


    You know you can just invite people over for no real reason right?   

    As far as ideas go, what do you want?  Dinner party, hors d'ouerves, BBQ, open house.   I would first decide what kind of party you want to host and then go for there.
    This. We have a big backyard so I love hosting casual BBQs when the weather is nice. When it's too cold to be outside, I love cocktail parties with lots of fun apps and a well-stocked bar. What kind of thing do you like to host? Or what sounds the most fun to you? 
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  • JaniV123JaniV123 member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    ShesSoCold said:
    I don't like housewarming parties - especially in rentals. They imply gifts so it feels gift grabby. Just throw a cocktail or dinner party at your new apartment.
    no gifts, it is really much more like having groups of friends over to show them our new place and have some fun drinks and hors d'ouerves  since we love to entertain. it would be groups of 3-5 people at once visiting us for a day/night. 

    SO from the feedback I've gotten what in my mind is a housewarming party would be more like a cocktail/dinner party. 

    @lindausvi and @novella1186 I like cooking and baking and having wine and cheeses and we got a margarita set so maybe do some margaritas or sangrias. 

    and we usually do invite people over for no reason other than hang out and such but I would like for it to be nice and have some sort of coherent feeling. 


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  • DarthV8rDarthV8r member
    250 Love Its Third Anniversary 100 Comments Name Dropper

    I usually have an entrée then pick apps and drinks that would go with that. You can pick out décor according to the formality of the food.

    beef wellington, garlic mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach, apps would be  baked brie,  shrimp cocktail and vegies with dip. then you can have an assortment of wine and china, fancier tablecloths and attire.

    or

    bbq ribs, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, apps would be chips and dips,  and  fruit salad. plastic table cloths , colorful décor and margaritas with sangria and beer.  serve water and non alcoholic beverages.

    that's how I plan a party.


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  • onefootinthebayouonefootinthebayou member
    500 Love Its 500 Comments Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    I love hosting dinner parties.  Two things I always think of are: 1.) What can I make ahead and 2.) What is in season?

    A great and impressive dish that satisfies both of those considerations and is pretty is a grilled summer vegetable platter.  If you have a grill pan, it can be done inside.  

    Get a nice collection of summer vegetables: yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, scallions, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, anything that looks good at the market and will make a colorful plate.

    Slice all veggies lengthwise, brush with olive oil, season w/S & P, and grill on each side until soft.  If you want to be fancy you can blanch the carrots or harder veggies ahead of time. 

    Plate them up and refrigerate until ready to serve.  I usually do them the same day but you can probably get away with making them one day ahead.  Before serving, drizzle with olive oil, a light splash of red wine vinegar or balsamic, and sprinkle with fresh herbs: mint, basil, chives, thyme, oregano, any mix of them or all of them.  Serve with a basket of crostini and a bowl of spreadable goat cheese or soft ricotta so people can make their own crostini if they like.  
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