Just Cocktails
Many cocktail parties, of course, involve neither a buffet nor a dance afterward, and they may be as large or small, as simple or elaborate as you wish.
The ways of inviting people to such a party are as varied as the parties themselves. If it is a small cocktail party the best form of invitation would be by telephone. For a larger party, they may be written on your own informal, on note paper, or on a visiting card. Or you may buy an attractively printed card with a cocktail glass or other eye-catching drawing made just for the purpose.
When there isn't a cocktail buffet, the time is usually stated, "Cocktails from 5:00 to 7:00" rather than "Cocktails at 5:00." While "R.s.v.p." is often omitted, the polite and thoughtful guests let the host or hostess know whether they are planning to attend the party. If there is an R.s.v.p., the phone number is usually written beside it, as this type of invitation may always be answered by telephone.
At this type of cocktail party, you may serve any type of hors' d'oeuvre or appetizer that you think tastes good and looks tempting as long as it can be eaten with the fingers. Such foods are olives (chilled or wrapped in bacon and broiled) or very tiny broiled sausages; or thin bread rolled around cheese or bacon, skewered and toasted; or crackers spread; crabmeat or lobster in mouthful pieces, or shrimps on wooden picks. When setting up your table don't forget a pile of cocktail napkins, cloth or paper, on your tray. Since most hors' d'oeuvres are a little greasy, and since plates aren't used, the napkin may be used to hold an appetizer which is, for the moment, too hot to eat.
Posted by Eugene Vodovoz at 13 January 2012, 4:55 PM 
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: cocktail parties host hostess invitation
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: cocktail parties host hostess invitation
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