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Name Tags at a Party: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 04:00:10 -0800

I have mixed feelings about name tags at parties. In some cases, at large events like the Fancy Foods Show, they can be incredibly helpful and stimulate conversation. In more intimate settings, it's easy to casually introduce yourself, so name tags aren't always necessary. Still other times, it depends on the crowd. If it's a shy crew, name tags can be essential to breaking the ice. Then, there's always one person with a crazily spelled name that no one can correctly pronounce. For their sake, I sometimes wish name tags didn't exist. How do you feel about them?

What Would You Do?

partysugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:15:46 -0700

We've all been in crazy situations, and I want to know how you handle entertaining fiascoes and bad restaurant behavior. I'll present a situation and you tell me what you would do. Here's today's scenario:

You've spent a lot of time planning a fantastic birthday party at your favorite bar. Although the party starts at 9, you made a bunch of small snacks - spiced nuts, truffled popcorn, caramelized peanuts, etc. - for your guests to enjoy with cocktails.

The snacks are prettily set up on a table near an open window that overlooks the street. The party is going fabulously when you look up to see three unidentified guests throwing your homemade goodies out the window! They are trying to hit people outside! What would you do?

To find out what I did - this very thing happened at my birthday party on Saturday night! - read more.

First, I rapidly determined if the food-throwers were random people at the bar or friends of friends. Since they happened to be the cousins of a friend, they were technically a part of my party. I made the food for everyone, but for everyone to eat, not launch at other guests. I walked over to the offenders and said, "Excuse me, that food is not for throwing. Please stop." Then I turned on my heel and left as quickly as possible.

How would you handle the situation? What do you think of my reaction? Did I overreact?

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Host/Hostess Gifts: What To Bring To A Dinner Party

partysugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 06:01:38 -0700

So you've been invited to a dinner party and the inevitable question looms: Gift for the host, yes or no? You may be thinking, it's only a dinner party, so why should I bother to bring something for the hostess? Well, simply put, you should because it's common courtesy! If a friend or relative has taken the time to invite you into their dining room for a homemade meal, you must return their efforts and express your thanks. For an informal dinner party, an extravagant gift is not necessary, don't spend more than $20. An interesting bottle of wine, a fragrant jarred candle, or a fun salt and pepper serving plate are exceptional gifts that will delight and please any hostess. For close friends, splurge on an animal print serving tray. Baked goods, like a coffee cake that the hostess can enjoy the morning after the dinner, or a small bag of crisp and delicious cookies show your host that you appreciate the invitation to dine. Lastly, my all time favorite gift is a large, beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers from a friend's garden. Likewise if you have ripe fruit trees or an abundance of fresh mint, give the home grown produce to your hostess. Do you have any great host/hostess gift ideas? Share them with us in the comments!

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What Not To Party: Don't Come Too Late

partysugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 11:18:01 -0700

It may seem a little ironic: first I told you not to show up early to an event and now I'm highlighting the importance of not showing up too late to a party.

This rule should be remembered and practiced for dinner parties especially. Your hostess has taken the time to create a meal and has specified it will begin at a certain time, so be there and ready to eat at that time. A dried out roast chicken and cold pasta are what you have to look forward to when arriving late to a party, and you are not only taking advantage of your hostess, but you are disrespecting your fellow guests. If you are running late - for whatever reason - you owe the hostess a courtesy call to let her know you will be there after the party's start time. Showing up more than a half an hour late for a dinner party, and an hour late for a cocktail party without a quick phone call is unacceptable. If you come to a party late without calling, trusting that the hostess is exceptional, do not expect to be invited to more of her parties in the future.

What Not To Party: Showing Up Early

partysugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 10:58:31 -0700

An important part of being a great hostess is understanding what it's like to be a great guest. The first step towards becoming an excellent guest is knowing when to arrive at the party. When hosting a dinner or an event, there is nothing I hate more than people whom show up early unannounced. Invitations are sent with a specific starting time for a reason and if your hostess is anything like myself she is running around adding finishing touches to her sauces, plating bite sized appetizers, polishing wine glasses, and lighting candles. (My aunt came 30 minutes early for a dinner once and the appetizers were still in the oven, I wasn't dressed and had curlers in my hair-you can imagine my complete and total mortification). Coming before the space and hostess is transformed into party ready is a complete and total no-no. Just don't do it. Unless personally asked by the hostess, do not come early and if for some crazy reason you end up getting off the freeway twenty minutes before the specified time call her to let her know there was no traffic and you will be arriving early so she can at least put on her party outfit and set out a bowl of olives.

Let's Dish: What's the Worst Party Foul You've Witnessed?

partysugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:00:58 -0800

Recently I attended a dinner party that started at 7:00. The hostess was having a culinary student cook the meal for me and 11 other guests. However, he was totally unprepared and I ended up helping in the kitchen the entire night. He chose a complicated menu that wasn't ready until 11:30! While I've been a witness to every type of party foul from one sided introductions to a lack of utensils, this was by far the worst! Having to wait three and a half hours till dinner is totally unacceptable.

Now that I got that off my chest, I invite you to do the same, readers. I'm sure you've seen plenty of bad behavior and ill etiquette, so do tell: what's the worst dinner party foul you've observed?

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Let's Dish: What Are Your Party Planning Pet Peeves?

partysugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:50:51 -0700

To celebrate my birthday, I invited everyone I know to join me for happy hour. I took the time to make and send a special invite. However, I was shocked by how many friends didn't read it. One person thought the party was the day I sent the invite, another went to the wrong bar, and two people showed up four hours after the specified time. Not reading an invitation is my biggest party planning pet peeve. I made it a point to provide all the necessary details, so why can't my guests take five seconds to read the text? Since we all host parties in some form or another, I'm sure you have party planning pet peeves, too.

So whether it's a guest that shows up empty handed or your roommate's uninvited friends crashing, do tell: When planning a party, what behavior bugs you?

Do You Experiment With New Recipes at Dinner Parties?

partysugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:50:52 -0700

There are some party planning professionals who believe you should never try a new recipe when hosting a party. I'm not one of those party planners. I think it's exciting and fun to experiment with a new dish at a party. If it's not great, I don't feel bad, I simply explain to my guests that it was a test. Reader AmberHoney agrees; yesterday when describing a recent dinner party menu, she said, "Always new recipes. Our friends are all foodies and we love experimenting so it's never the same thing twice." Exactly my sentiments, Amber! How do you feel about the matter?

Party Fabulous: Hosting a Party For (Almost) No Reason

partysugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:50:45 -0700

Who says you need a birthday or anniversary to throw a fabulous party? Recently a friend hosted a welcome back party - for luggage! She attended a wedding on the East Coast and on the return flight her luggage was lost. After waiting nervously for three weeks, it was finally returned. It happened to be a Friday and she decided a celebration was necessary. She sent out a last-minute email inviting friends over for a party.

Trader Joe's catered and she stopped by the party supply store for a welcome back sign and balloons. The suitcase served as a centerpiece and when guests arrived they were asked to wear a luggage tag as a bracelet. I supplied the cocktail and voila, instant fiesta! It ended up being a fantastic night and reminder that one can throw a party for just about any reason.

Have you been to a party that celebrated something out of the ordinary?

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Party Foul: Not Greeting Your Guests

partysugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:30:42 -0700

At female-centric events like baby showers or bachelorette parties, it's easy for cliques to form and cattiness to flourish. Recently, my sister attended a bridal shower where the majority of guests went to the same high school. However some girls, despite knowing my sister, were cold and unfriendly. To make matters worse, the hostess did not say one word to her! While I understand that everyone present may not get along, it's totally unacceptable for the hostess to ignore her guests. It's up to the hostess to ensure that gossip and grudges don't ruin the party. This means that she must put aside any hard feelings and greet everyone equally.

Have you ever been to a party where the hostess made you feel unwelcome? Please share your stories below!

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