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Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success
Holiday Invitations and FoodQuestion: Sherry,I am throwing a Christmas cocktail party for friends and clients, however I need help with what to say for the invite and suggestions on what foods to serve. Angela Answer: Yes, the invitation is quite important as it sets the tone for the party. There are so many options of what to say that I cannot begin to cover them all for you. Go to a stationery store or a party house and review some examples of cocktail party invitations. For example, you can simply say, "Please Join Me (Us) for Holiday Cheer (or Cocktails) on Saturday, December 22 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M." Another example is this: "It's a Holiday Cocktail Party, Please Come" and then list the basics of time, address, etc. Carefully select the time as it dictates how much food you must serve. The typical cocktail party lasts two hours, beginning at 6:00 and going no later than 8:00 PM; the time frame (both the starting time and the ending time) is noted on the invitation. For a cocktail buffet, the invitation lists a starting point but no ending point. Greater amounts of food are required for a cocktail buffet.
The classic cocktail party (from 6 to 8:00 PM) features a variety of finger foods, such as cheese, nuts, dips, or any easily eaten hors d' oeuvres. Follow this guideline according to the number of guests: Create a balance, choosing foods from various categories, such as 1. Cheese -- the list is endless, but perhaps an assortment of cubed pieces, a cheese ball, brie with crackers and strawberries, etc. 2. Fish or Shellfish -- items such as smoked salmon or trout, shrimp, crab, etc. All of those also make excellent dips or spreads if you want to cut down on costs. 3. Meats -- such as ham, roast beef, a deli tray, etc. If serving a ham or roast beef, also provide small dinner rolls (already partly sliced open) with mustard/ mayonnaise condiments to the side. Your guests then have the option of creating a small sandwich with the meat. 4. Vegetables and/or Fruit -- such as a vegetable or fruit tray with a dip, spinach balls, a vegeatble-based dip with crackers or chips. Be sure to vary lighter hors d' oeuvres with heavier ones. Aside from the expense, it's risky today to include only items from the meat categories, have at least one vegetable-oriented hors d' oeuvre. As a hostess, don't forget to have a great time. If you do, you're guests are sure to also.
Best of luck to you,
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