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Details, Details Sections:
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| Keep your guests comfortable and the ambiance fun. |
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Room Temperature
Nothing will impact the comfort of your guests more than room temperature.
When you're done cooking, open the windows or turn up the air conditioning to freshen the air and cool your house or apartment. Keep the temperature cool throughout your party - 65 degrees sounds cold but it's perfect when 20 people are milling about your living room.
A fire in the fireplace creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. But think "cozy" not "roaring." If it begins to feel warm, wait a bit before throwing another log on.
Lighting
Lighting should be a reflection of the energy level of the party. For cocktails, keep the lights up. Lower the lighting a bit at dinnertime. Candles are great mood setters, but use care: make sure candles are low and not where guests must reach over them to get drinks or food.
Low lighting should also be used in rooms and hallways adjacent to the main "party" rooms as a safety consideration.
Luminaries are an easy and inexpensive way to create outdoor lighting. White bags, sand, tea lights and a little creativity with a hole punch create practical yet festive lights that will help your guests find their way.
Music
Music, like lighting, should reflect and enhance the mood and energy level of your party.
For cocktails, choose music that's up-tempo, but not overwhelming. Light jazz and pop are good choices depending upon your personal style and your guest list. Dinner calls for a subtler "soundtrack" such as classical or even operatic music and the same holds true for coffee and dessert. Follow your instincts and your personal style in any case.
It's a good idea to pre-sort your CDs prior to the party so that you don't have to worry about it later.
You'll need to select:
- Two CDs for cocktail hour - about 1 1/2 hours
- Three to Four CDs for dinner - 2 + hours
- Two CDs for coffee and dessert - 1 1/2 hours
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