Emily Post's Great Get-Togethers (25 page)

INVITATIONS

Sabrina and Eunice Moyle, Hello Lucky: http://www.hellolucky.com

Amanda Love, LoveLeaf Press: http://www.loveleafpress.com

Calligraphy on all envelopes and invites: Michele Papineau, Papineau Calligraphy

http://www.papineaucalligraphy.com/

PLACE CARDS

Calligraphy on all place card settings and name tags: Michele Papineau, Papineau Calligraphy

http://www.papineaucalligraphy.com/

Macaroons: http://www.paulettemacarons.com/

PLACE SETTINGS

Gumps

CUPCAKES

Gabrielle Feuersinger, Cake Coquette: www.CakeCoquette.com

The pagination of this electronic edition does not match the edition from which it was created. To locate a specific passage, please use the search feature of your e-book reader.

Note: Index entries with asterisk* have photographs in color inserts.

A

Accidents and mishaps, handling, 20–22, 250

Alcohol, 21, 58, 237, 245–46

Allergies and special diets, 216, 236–37, 245

Anniversaries, 187

Antipasto platters*, 128–30

Appliances, kitchen, 7–8

B

Baby showers, 184–85

Babysitters, 54, 201

Barbecues, 154–56

Bar drinks and supplies, 105, 106–7, 120–21

Bartenders, 54, 58, 246–47

Bathrooms, 69, 70, 227

Bedrooms, 70

Beer, 103

Beverages, 95–114.
See also
Cocktails; Glassware; Wine

beer, 103

coasters for, 70

nonalcoholic, 112–13

self-serve bar for, 120

serving, at dinner parties, 75

what to serve with meals, 113

whiskeys, 104

Birthday cake, 215

Birthday parties (adult), 181–82

Birthday parties (children)

activities and games, 212–13

birthday gifts, 218–19, 221, 248–49

choosing location for, 209, 219

food and refreshments*, 215–16

hiring help for, 214

invitations for, 210–11, 216

length of party, 211

party favors, 217

party manners at, 220–21

planning considerations, 208–9

siblings at, 211

Blender, 8

Bourbon, 104

Bread, serving, 88–89

Breakfast, beverages for, 113

Bridal showers, 184–85

Brunch, 89, 113

Buffet tables, 74, 75, 146–47

Butter, serving, 89

BYOB (bring your own beverage), 44

BYOF (bring your own food), 44

C

Cake, birthday, 215

Candles*, 66–67, 73

Caterers, 5, 55–57, 247

Caviar, 90–92

Cell phones, 241

Centerpieces*, 64–65, 73

Chairs, dining room, 71

Champagne, 100–102, 134

Champagne flutes and coupes, 107

Charger plates, 148

Checklists, 32–33, 140, 194

Cheese platters*, 126–30

Children.
See also
Children’s parties

at family parties, 201

at grown-up parties, 44, 54, 234, 245

kid-friendly holiday food, 202

not included on invitation, 44

siblings of, 211

Children’s parties, 207–22.
See also
Birthday parties (children)

activities and games, 212–13

childproofing party area, 214

choosing location for, 209, 219

food and refreshments*, 215–16

hiring help for, 214

invitations for, 210–11, 216

length of party, 211

mother-daughter holiday tea party, 222

parent pitfalls, avoiding, 221–22

party manners at, 220–21

planning for, 208

preparing guest list, 210–11

siblings at, 211

theme parties, 213

Chocolate, 93

Christmas, 192, 205

Cider, 112

Cigars, after-dinner, 144

Cloth napkins*, 7, 71

Clowns, 212

Clutter, removing, 69

Coasters, 70

Cocktail parties, 117–36

cheese and antipasto platters*, 126–30

hiring help for, 53

hors d’oeuvres*, 122–25, 135–36

hors d’oeuvres menus, 123

invitations for, 117

menu guidelines, 90

planning the party, 53, 119–20

preparing guest list, 118

self-serve bar for, 120

stocking bar for, 106–7

timeline for, 121–22

two bars for, 121

wine-tasting party, 131–36

Cocktail recipes

Bloody Mary, 110

Gin and Tonic, 111

The Lemon Drop, 111

Manhattan, 111

Martini, 109

Mimosa, 109

Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, 114

Red Sangria, 114

Simple Syrup, 112

“Top-Shelf” Margarita, 109

Uncle Mac’s Cosmo, 110

Cocktails.
See also
Cocktail recipes

aperitifs, 106

calculating liquor quantity, 105

frosting glass rim for, 109

glassware for*, 105, 107–8

ice for, 105

recipes for, 109–11, 114

reference books for, 111

simple syrup for, 112

stocking bar for, 106–7

Coffee, 112

Company parties

“business casual” dress, 239

business dinners, 150

holiday office parties, 200–201

thank-you notes for, 248

Conversation, 18–19

Cookbooks, 94

Cushions and pillows, 69

D

Desserts

Almond Dream Cookies, 169

Buttercream Filling, 86

Buttermilk Feather Cake with Nutmeg, 85

Little Chocolate Spice Cakes, 199

Little Espresso Brownies, 170–71

Mrs. Pettigrew’s Lemon Cake, 223

Dietary considerations, 216, 236–37, 245

Dinner parties, 137–50

beverages for, 113

bringing hostess gift to, 240

business dinners, 150

checklist, 140

clearing the table, 149–50

creating game plan, 142–44

guests’ children at, 234, 245

hiring help for, 53

invitations for, 139

menu guidelines, 90

offering second helpings, 148

passing food, 147–48

place cards*, 142, 242

planning the party, 53, 138–39

progressive dinner parties, 203–4

seasonal fall menus, 79–80

seating plans, 140–41, 242

serving at the table, 146

serving buffet style, 146–47

spring menu for eight, 144

when to start the meal, 147, 247

Dinnerware*, 7, 71, 148

Dress codes, 43, 195, 237–39

Drinks.
See
Beverages

E

Easter, 204

E-mailed invitations, 37, 235

Entry or foyer, tidying up, 70

E-vites, 37–38, 235

F

Family parties, 201

Farmer’s markets, 10

Favors, party, 203, 217

FHB (Family Hold Back), 21, 22

Finger bowls, 149

Flatware*, 7, 71, 75

Flowers*, 62–64, 73

Food.
See also
Menus; Recipes

caviar, 90–92

cheese and antipasto platters*, 126–30

for children’s parties*, 215–16

chocolate, 93

estimating quantities for, 87–88

favorite cookbooks for, 94

food allergies and special diets, 216, 236–37, 245

food and wine pairings, 97–99, 134

fresh truffles, 92–93

hors d’oeuvres*, 122–25, 135–36

kid-friendly, for holiday party, 202

Food (
continued
)

not enough, how to handle, 21, 22

overcooked or undercooked, 22

places to buy, 10–11

prepared, buying, 5

sea salts, 94

serving bread with meals, 88–89

shopping lists, 32–33

shopping tips, 29

Food processors, 7–8

Fourth of July, 204

Fruit centerpieces, 64–65

G

Games and activities, 28, 212–13

Gifts

baby shower gifts, 185

birthday gifts for children, 218–19, 221, 248–49

group gifts, 188

hostess gifts, 202–3, 230–32, 240–41

on invitations, 44, 45

registry information, 42

thanking people for, 185, 186, 202–3, 219, 221, 230

wedding gifts, 185

when to open, 186, 218–19

Glassware

buying, 7

coasters for, 70

cocktail glasses*, 105, 107–8, 109

frosting rims, 109

at place setting*, 72

primer on, 107–8

wineglasses*, 107, 108, 133

Grater, 8

Grilling basics, 154–56

Grocery stores, 10–11

Guests, 233–44.
See also
Houseguests

allergies and special diets, 216, 236–37, 245

asking to bring children, 234, 245

asking to bring extra person, 234–35, 246

attire and dress codes, 43, 195, 237–39

basic party manners, 241–42

at children’s parties, 220

double-booking parties, 248

hostess gifts from, 202–3, 230–32, 240–41

inebriated, 21, 245–46

keeping social diary, 244

late, handling, 147, 247

mishaps by, handling, 22, 250

not liking what is served, 247

offensive remarks by, 22

offering to bring food, 236

offering to help, 250

“payback” obligations, 243–44

removing shoes at door, 250

responding to invitations, 234–35, 246

thanking the host, 242, 243, 248

unexpected, handling, 20, 22

who break something, 22

who spill food or wine, 250

H

Halloween, 204

Handwritten invitations, 38

Hanukkah, 193

Helpers, 49–58

babysitters, 54, 201

bartenders, 54, 58, 246–47

caterers, 5, 55–57, 247

for children’s parties, 214

determining need for help, 9, 53

friends and family members, 50, 51–53

friends’ teens or college students, 50, 51–53

giving instructions to, 50, 51–53, 57

guests as, 50, 51

liquor licenses for, 58

professional help, 50, 54–57, 58, 246–47

servers, 54

tips for, 58, 246–47

Holiday parties, 191–205

checklist, 194

decorations, 192

family parties, 201

holiday open house, 194–96

hostess gifts and favors, 202–3

kid-friendly food for, 202

lighting, 192

menu, 196

music, 193

office parties, 200–201

planning early for, 192

Post family traditions, 203–5

seasonal scents, 193

simple or small parties, 200

Hors d’oeuvres*, 122–25, 135–36

Hostess gifts, 202–3, 230–32, 240–41

Hosts and hostesses, 15–24

basic guidelines, 15–17

children as hosts, 220

co-hosting parties, 23–24

getting guests to leave, 23

greetings and introductions, 17–19

handling accidents and mishaps, 20–22, 250

insurance and liability issues, 58