Keep the Life of the Party Alive

When you host a party, you are responsible for your guests' safety. A party is a great time to see old friends and meet new people. But it is a fact that alcohol-related accidents kill hundreds of people every year. These tips will Help You plan parties that all guests will enjoy!

Before the Party
The best way to avoid the possibility of drunken driving after a party is to take some practical steps before the party begins. As host or hostess, your careful planning can lessen the danger of alcohol abuse. Think about the refreshments you will serve, and about the way that you will serve them.

Always offer food when alcohol is served

Tasty snacks are not only a delicious addition to any party, they can also slow the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol

High-protein foods like cheese and meats are especially good because they stay in the stomach longer than other foods

To make your protein choices interesting, choose an assortment of fresh cheeses with crackers, cheese balls, cheese dips, cheese fondue and cheese pizza

Hard-boiled, pickled or deviled eggs are simple, inexpensive high-protein appetizers

Hors d'oeuvres with meat can include ham or sausage biscuits, Swedish meatballs and broiled chicken livers

Bite-size cold cuts are easy on the budget

If you have a little more to spend, sliced beef or turkey is great, as is seafood like shrimp, lobster and crab meat with a dip

A tray of crisp vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower, radishes and even squash with a protein dip like cream cheese or sour cream add variety to your food mix

Have several jiggers at the bar so mixed drinks can be measured

Guests are less likely to drink to excess if standard drink measures are used

If guests mix their own drinks, keep a jigger in plain site for their use

Better yet, buy inexpensive self-measuring one-ounce spouts to place on bottles of alcohol

If you serve an alcoholic punch, make it with a non-carbonated base

Alcohol is absorbed by the body much faster when combined with a carbonated mixer such as ginger ale

Fruit juice or tea are preferable bases for party punches

Have non-alcoholic beverages available

It is highly likely that some of your guests will not wish to drink alcohol

Persons taking certain medications should not consume alcohol - make it easier for them to comply with doctor's orders

Serve soft drinks, coffee or a non-alcoholic punch

During the Party
When guests arrive, be sure they are aware of all their eating and drinking options. Although you want your guests to enjoy themselves, you don't want them to overdo it.

Don't force drinks on your guests

Don't rush to refill guests' glasses the minute they become empty

Be aware that many guests will accept drinks they really don't want to avoid appearing rude to the host or hostess

Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party is to end

During the last hour, put out coffee or some other non-alcoholic beverage

Top off the evening with a special food feature like pizza or quiche

Be mindful, neither coffee nor any other drink will help a person sober-up - only time can do that

By emphasizing non-alcoholic drinks toward the end of the party, you give your guests extra time for their bodies to absorb the alcohol they have consumed

If you observe a guest drinking too much ...

Try to engage him or her in conversation to slow down consumption

Offer food that will also slow down the rate at which the body is absorbing alcohol

After the Party
Even under the best of circumstances, there is always a chance that some people will drink too much. When this happens, they become a danger to themselves and others. If a guest has been drinking excessively, you should see to it that he or she does not drive. Here's what you can do:

Suggest to the guest that a non-drinking guest will provide a ride home. When sober, the guest can come back for the car.

Suggest that the guest stay overnight at your home. This may involve some inconvenience to you, but you could be saving the lives of your friend and others.

Try to take the car keys away if your guest insists on driving. Your friend may resent it, but is also too impaired to listen to reason - you must take charge.

If the guest insists on driving, physically restrain him or her. It sounds drastic, but a drunken friend must not be allowed to drive.

Call a taxi to take your guest home. Pay for the cab yourself. Your friend can't object to a free ride home. When the guest finally comes to his or her senses, you'll probably be thanked and reimbursed.

When all other measures fail, call the police to prevent your guest from driving. You may be shocked by this suggestion, but any measure must be taken to prevent someone who has had too much to drink from driving. There's little chance your friend will be arrested, and the sight of a police officer just might prompt a little rationality.

Great Snack Recipes
Be sure to select snacks and party-ending foods you can prepare ahead of time so you can enjoy your own party. Here are a few tasty recipes that can help slow down the absorption of alcohol into the body.

Cherry Appetizer Tray

Fresh Northwest sweet cherries

Sliced cheese variety (caraway, Gouda, cheddar, Monterey jack)

Appetizer kabobs (see recipe below)

Salami cornucopias (see recipe below)

Wash cherries and pile in bowl. Place in center of tray and surround with sliced cheeses, kabobs and cornucopias.

Appetizer Kabobs

For each kabob place a cube of Monterey jack, a piece of sweet pickle and a cube of cheddar cheese on a toothpick.

Salami Cornucopias

Spread sliced salami with softened cream cheese flavored with dill or tarragon. Shape into cornucopias and secure with toothpick. Garnish with parsley.

Wedge-A-Pizza

1-1/2 cups corned beef, chopped or broken up

1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste

½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

2 T minced onion (instant) or ½ cup chopped

1 tsp leaf oregano

2 eggs

1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

Cheese spread or shredded cheddar cheese

In bowl, combine corned beef, tomato paste, cheese, onion, oregano and eggs. Mix well. On ungreased cookie sheet, place separated crescent triangles; spread each with about 1/3 cup of mixture. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool slightly. Cut each triangle into three pieces and garnish with cheese. Serve warm or cold.

Winning Tea Punch

½ cup 100% instant tea

2 quarts water

1 (6 oz.) can frozen limeade

1 (6 oz.) can frozen lemonade

1 (6 oz.) can frozen pineapple juice concentrate
1 pint cranberry juice cocktail

In a punch bowl, combine tea, water, concentrates and juice. Just before serving, add ice. Makes more than 1 gallon, or 25 5-ounce servings.