Five Ingredients of a Great Party
I do a lot of entertaining here at Krog Street. Actually, I always have had great parties no matter where I have lived. Some of my earliest memories are of parties at my grandparents house when my mom and I lived with them while my Dad was in the Antarctic.
Papa’s specialty was the grill. He made the best barbecued chicken, mopping them with a special mix of butter, cider vinegar and lots of black pepper. He had a brick barbecue pit in the backyard under a huge Magnolia tree and would stand out there watching the meat while sipping Early Times.
Meanwhile back in her typical 1950s kitchen, my grandmother and I would make hor’dourves. Grandmama would help me carefully cut various shapes out of soft white bread and then we spread them with toppings like cream cheese and olives, which was my favorite. I would then get to pass them around outside to Papa and our guests. It seemed like everyone always had a great time.
My parents were also great entertainers. Papa passed his barbecue recipes to my Dad and Uncles so the chicken and ribs continued. Their party menu typically also included cheese grits and Gaspache, a cold salad made with cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, mayonnaise, vinegar and soaked hardtack crackers.
I’m glad the good party thing got passed along through our family and it warms my heart when my daughter calls to ask me about the pepper jelly thing we put on creme cheese because I know she is doing what it take to have fun having a party. If I had to make a list I think there are five major ingredients to having a good one.
- Mix up your party list. You may have a good group of old friends, but it always helps make things more interesting when you invite some new faces and mix it up a bit.
- Make the party site comfortable and inviting. Make sure there are places to sit and that the flow of the space works to encourage people to interact with each other. Have flowers, music candles or whatever you need to do or have to create a wonderful atmosphere.
- Make an effort with the food and or drinks. It helps to have some theme or specialty item like Papa’s barbecue chicken, your favorite Jambalaya or a Martguerita machine.
- Give your guests something to do. Whether it is eating a great meal, playing poker or dancing on the roof its great when there is something fun to do.
- Relax and help your guests feel at home and if you have a good time they will too. Happiness is infectious.
