Party Tips

When you’re planning a party, you’ve got a million questions and details on your mind. That’s why we’ve assembled some of the answers to most-often asked party questions right here.

How many appetizers should you serve?

For 8 – 10 guests: serve 3 types of appetizers.

For 12 – 16 guests: serve 4-5 types of appetizers.

For 18 – 30 guests, serve 6 types of appetizers (including at least 1 hot appetizer).

For 32 – 46 guests, serve 7 types of appetizers (including at least 1 hot appetizer).

For over 46 guests, serve 8 types of appetizers (including at least 2 hot appetizers).

How much appetizer food should you buy?

Use these helpful guides when you’re planning your shopping list. These amounts are for get-togethers lasting two to three hours, such as a cocktail party.

Seafood

For cocktail shrimp or other seafood appetizers, allow 3 – 4 pieces per person.

Caviar: about 1/2 teaspoon per person.

Vegetables and dip

Dip: about 3 tablespoons per person.

For cut-up veggies, allow between 1.5 oz. to 2.5 oz. per person.

Fruit

Dip: about 3 tablespoons per person.

Allow about 1 cup of prepared, mixed fruit per person.

Fruit yields:

Blueberries & raspberries, 1 pint = 2 cups.

Grapes, pineapple & strawberries, 1 pound = 4 – 5 cups.

Cantaloupe & honeydew, 3 pounds = 4 cups.

Helpful party tips

Prepare fresh veggies the day before your party, and store them in plastic storage bags with several ice cubes to keep them crisp.

If you order a party tray from the deli, use the lid as an ice keeper. Just fill it with ice and set the tray on top of it, to keep the tray cool on the tabletop.

Candles last longer if you put them in the freezer one hour before lighting them. To keep the wick from smoking, trim it to 1/4” first.

Instead of marbles or pebbles, fill a tall vase with hard cranberries to hold your bouquet.

Make a great non-alcoholic spritzer by combining equal parts of cranberry juice, white grape juice, and sparkling mineral water in a bowl.

Some helpful conversions

1 pint = 1 pound (serves 2 – 3)
1 quart = 2 pounds (serves 4 – 6)
1/2 gal. = 4 pounds (serves 10 – 12)
1 gal. = 8 pounds (serves 20 – 25)

1 750 ml bottle of wine = 4 six-ounce glasses
1 750 ml bottle of liquor = 16 shots (shot = 1.5 ounces)
1 gallon of festive punch = 24 servings

16 tbsp. = 1 cup
16 oz. = 1 pound
32 oz. = 1 quart