Food writer Lindsey Nair

• lindsey.nair@roanoke.com | (540) 981-3343

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One hour before guests arrive for a cocktail party, the hostess should be well-coiffed, putting the final touches on the table and mixing herself a much-deserved drink.

That's never the way it happens at my house.

Over the years, I've dealt with everything from an ice shortage to a minor last-minute kitchen fire, and I'm always asking myself, "Why in the heck do I get myself into this?"

Because parties are fun, that's why. And because over time, with experience, you get to be a lot better at anticipating the needs of the evening.

The winter holiday season is a popular time for cocktail parties, and if you have the cash, a catering company can help you pull off a stress-free event. But like many folks, I generally find myself throwing a do-it-yourself shindig on a limited budget.

While it requires more work, it is certainly not impossible. Following some general guidelines and making a checklist will go a long way toward ensuring a seamless soiree -- after all, a stressed-out, frowning host or hostess does not a fun party make.

I talked to Roanoke caterer Amy Lanham of Lib & Amy Catering, then consulted the Web and my own memories of parties past to come up with these tips for wanna-be party throwers.

I hope it helps to make your holidays a little brighter and safer.

The logistics

1. Get plenty of rest the night before the party.

2. The average cocktail party is two hours. Feel free to include an end time on invitations.

3. Ahead of time, ask a couple of friends for help or hire bored college students. They can help keep food trays full, trash picked up, etc. Make sure they get something to eat, too, even if it means setting plates aside.

4. Line your trash can with extra bags to catch leaks and/or make changing bags easier.

5. Move furniture to create conversation nooks or space for mingling.

6. Place ashtrays on the porch or deck so smokers can take it outside.

7. Keep club soda and paper towels handy for spills.

8. Keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location and know how to use it.

9. Designate a spot, such as a bed, for coats and pocketbooks. Offer to take guests' coats.

10. Make a few party music mixes ahead of time or ask guests who own iPods to bring them. They can play DJ when the party mixes are played out.

11. Keep cab company phone numbers handy in case someone has too much to drink.

12. 'Tis the season for illness, so have a few strategically located bottles of hand sanitizer (by the front door and on the bathroom sink, for example).

The food

1. A good rule of thumb is that each guest will consume six to eight appetizers per hour. Also, it's better to overestimate than to underestimate food quantities.

2. Assemble a menu of hot and cold foods that hit various food groups such as seafood, meat, cheeses and vegan or vegetarian offerings.

3. One ounce of dip or spread equals one serving.

4. Provide receptacles for olive pits, wing bones, used toothpicks and the like.

5. Offer one or two sweet nibbles. Bring them out later in the party to signal that things are winding down.

6. Consider making foods ahead of time that can be frozen until party day.

7. Put out plenty of cocktail napkins.

8. Put spoons in dishes of nuts, olives and the like to ward off grubby fingers.

The bar

1. Set up the bar in the most open, accessible location possible.

2. Ice, ice, baby! It's one of the most important party staples, yet many people forget it. You'll need ice to chill bottles and mix drinks.

3. Figure on four drinks per person, including nonalcoholic drinks.

4. A basic bar includes vodka, whiskey, wine and beer.

5. A more extensive bar has gin, tequila, rum, bourbon, vermouth, sherry and brandy.

6. Don't forget mixers and garnishes: orange, cranberry or tomato juice, soda water, tonic, ginger ale, cola, lemons, limes, horseradish and Tabasco sauce.

7. If sticking to wine, offer red and white. Also, figure on one bottle of wine or champagne per guest.

8. If you don't want to mix cocktails all night, consider a punch bowl with sangria or spiked punch, or make pitchers of margaritas.

9. Straws and stirrers are a nice touch.

10. Don't forget to chill wine and champagne.

11. If using disposable cups, figure on two per guest.

12. Go green by using real glassware. Choose the right glass for the drink.

13. Wine glass charms help guests keep track of their drinks. This is especially useful during cold and flu season.

14. Do not forget to have nonalcoholic beverages on hand such as ice water, iced tea, lemonade or a fun mocktail.

15. Got stragglers? Brew a pot of coffee to signal that it's "closing time." Turning up the lights also helps, or you can just do what my best friend always does and put on the Lionel Richie CD.

It's your party, so it's your call.

Got some party tips I forgot to mention? I'd love to hear them on the blog!