What to do :
Other than sip on delicious drinks , eat some good food and catch up with your nearest and dearest , there ’ s not an awful lot anyone needs to ‘ do ’ at a summer cocktail party , and there ’ s nothing worse than a forced schedule of games . That said , you need to set the scene and give people the option to have a laugh if they want to . Make sure there ’ s space suitable for a bit of a boogie if you have known movers and shakers among your peers .
Next , music . Compile your party playlist well ahead of time – for the musically challenged among us , there ’ s lots of inspiration and pre-prepared playlists that you can legally pinch from streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud . Make sure you ’ re plugged into a good speaker too .
It won ’ t do you any harm to hire a karaoke machine . They ’ re a relatively cheap option ( you ’ ll probably be able to borrow one if you ask around ) and can simply be set up somewhere to be pounced on as and when your guests may feel the need to belt out a bit of Meatloaf , before launching into an existential debate about what on earth it could have been that he wouldn ’ t do for love .
When day has become night and the party ’ s over , pack your guests off into taxis ( pre-booked taxis ; you ’ ll thank me for that ) and slam the door shut . You ’ ve done it . Sling your shoes off , kick back with one for the road , and don ’ t , under any circumstances look at the mess they ’ ve made of your house and garden – it ’ s a party ; give yourself a break and tidy up in the morning . 95