First class think-ahead step by step top banana cocktail party checklist written by pro party planners, stop being too busy, take those shoes off and dance on the table

1 MONTH TO GO

• INVITATION For a large cocktail party, invite 10-20 % more people than you can fit, typically only 80 percent of invitees attend.

• PICK A THEME Make, buy, or borrow any decorations or music you may need to fit your chosen theme.

• BOOK A BARTENDER OR MOBILE BAR We can take care of your bar service and all your drinks so you can party and enjoy your guest, no washing up, how does that sound?

• BOOK A CATERER If you don’t fancy doing all the cooking but only the basics book this fella  to add the magic.

• SEND INVITATIONS Mail, e-mail, even phone invites are all acceptable, or even start a facebook group.

• PLAN THE MENU Assemble the recipes (choose only those that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day). Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and compile a shopping list. Place an order with your local shops.

• GET ALL THE HELP YOU CAN Put together the recipes, choose only those that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day. Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and write a shopping list. Place an order with your local shops as needed.

15 DAYS TO GO

• MUSIC PLAYLIST The music should be chilled to begin and then upbeat and sufficient to last throughout the party. Music is the soul of the party.

• COOK FOOD Prepare any dishes that can be frozen.

7 DAYS TO GO

• DEEP CLEAN This way, you’ll need only a quick once-over before the party.

• SET THE “STAGE” Arrange the furniture as you’ll want it for the party, making sure that guests can move easily from one part of your house to another. Designate a coffee table or side table for coffee and dessert, if you’ll be serving them. Tuck away things that will be in the way, precious items that might get broken (or even be taken), and any clutter. Figure out the lighting.

• SERVING DISHES, PLATES AND CUTLERY If you don’t have enough for every dish you’re serving, consider purchasing inexpensive pieces from a store. To help try to label each dish with a Post-it so you’ll remember what you plan to use it for at party time.

• STOCK THE BAR Even if you book us for cocktails you can plan a bottle of wine every 4 guest and a bottle of beer every 2 guest and few soft drinks for non drinkers such as orange juice, lemonade,  Coke and we can also use them to create mocktails.

• PREPARE AN HANGOVER KIT BAG Water, sweets, chocolate and taxi phone numbers and pheraps why not to put the hashtag for the party on the bag to remind them to post the fun pictures?

3 DAYS TO GO

• TELL YOUR NEIGHBOURS Let them know you’re having a party if you expect it to be large, loud, or parking-intensive.

• DECORATE Arrange candles, put up theme decorations, etc.

• GUEST TOILET make sure you remove personal medicines and items.

• SET UP CLEAN STATION Set up one part of the kitchen for cleaning eventual spillages on carpet, broken glass and other eventualities.

• SIGNS do a sign to put on wall for coats and toilets, you probably free up one hour on the night just doing so.

• HASHTAG seen that you are doing signs why don’t you do one with the hashtag for the party so all pictures can easily be found on social media.

• FINAL SHOP Make a detailed cooking schedule for your remaining dishes.

ONE DAY TO GO

• SET TABLES, CHAIR AND BUFFET Remove all chairs you will not need.

• BUY AND ARRANGE FLOWERS Make your house look colorful, fresh and smell awesome.

• DO AS MUCH COOKING AS YOU CAN You want as much free time as possible on party day.

• FINAL TOUCHES TO THE HOUSE That extra wow touch.

ON THE DAY

• FINAL COOKING PREPARATIONS Final bits before guest arrive

• DISPLAY FOOD One to two hours before guests arrive, set out appetisers and snacks that won’t spoil. Wrap them tightly to ensure freshness; tear off the wrap when the first guest rings the doorbell.

• GREET GUESTS AS THEY ARRIVE Things should be organised so you’re free to mingle, not tied to the kitchen.

• DANCE DANCE DANCE Have as much fun as your guest.

END OF PARTY

• HANGOVER KIT Hand out the awesome hangover kit bag to leave a final smile on your guest 🙂

 

We really hope our top banana cocktail party check list can help you enjoying your party.

 

Happy dancing.

The Mambo Team

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