Party Planning, Cont'd

Last time we left off with you considering your basic party planning questions, leaving off on the pivotal, "What is the party about?" 

Answering this question will to some extent answer the other questions on your list – but in a directed, consistent way. So really, this is the one you want to answer first, not last.

For instance, we have a party in the works right now, so I'll use that as an example. Our answer to "What is the party about?" is Polynesian Pop, sun, fun, and Elvis! Notice now how easy it becomes to answer those other questions:

What food will I be serving? Either a hukilau (Hawaiian-style fish cookout, as seen in Blue Hawaii), or cheeseburgers with grilled slices of canned pineapple. Elvis is on record as having liked coconut cake alot, and that also fits the Polynesian theme, so that's probably a go too. 

What drinks will I serve? Good old-fashioned Coca-Cola, in retro glass bottles ... the good quality stuff from Mexico. And - rum drinks from the menus of a couple of the hotels (Coco Palms, Hanelei Plantation Resort) that Elvis shot Hawaiian movies in. So, we're talking drinks like the Bali Hai, Coconut Willie, and the Sleeping Giant. 

How will I set the party mood? Tiki bar - check. Big tiki statute, rented - check. Brightly painted, faux plywood surfboards - check! Also, an upbeat '50's-early '60's soundtrack, heavily laced with the King, would be just the ticket. Hey, what about a live band?!?

Anyone staying overnight? Rephrase this - "Will there be drinking?", and we have our answer -- pretty damn likely.

Who am I inviting? You're assuming a backyard BBQ, so this is probably not going to be a small event.We'll assume a 50-60 guest event ... and plan on asking for help with the grilling!

As you can see, knowing what kind of party you want to throw makes almost all of your setup decisions easier -- it just takes a little thought beforehand.

Sleeping Giant (from Beachbum Berry's Sippin' Safari, page 78)

This drink, per the Bum, is from the Lagoon Cocktail Terrace of the Coco Palms Resort on Kauai, circa 1950's, and was apparently named for an oddly shaped local hilltop.

1 1/2 oz orange juice

1 1/2 oz unsweetened pineapple juice

1 1/2 light rum

1/2 oz sweet and sour mix

1/4 oz orgeat (almond) syrup

Shake with ice, pour into tall glass, add ice to fill, and garnish with a mint sprig and cocktail cherry.