IT'S A GUY THING
Part I of IV
Today I sat down for a consultation with Gwen, a young woman whose husband was turning 35 years old and for whom she wanted to throw a birthday party. But not just any party -- a "guy party". A simple gathering in their home consisting of nibbles and beer simply wouldn't do. She wanted big. But not beautiful.
"The trouble is he doesn't trust me to throw a party" she said, "He's worried that I'd throw a 'girly' party and so he'd prefer to not have a party at all. I've been trying to come up with 'manly' party ideas but I'm stuck as to exactly what that is".
Throwing bashes for men can be somewhat difficult -- especially when planned by a member of the opposite sex. There's a fine line between luxurious and, as Gwen calls it, "girly". And let's face it -- men desire to keep up their "I'm a man" persona, are very visual and aren't into the social aspect of parties like women are. Think of the last time you dragged your guy to a cocktail party. Remember that spaced-out look he had and the number of times he checked his watch?
You can still throw a fabulous party with a theme. Just because the guest of honor is male, it doesn't mean that themes have to go out the window. The trick to throwing a grand-scale party for men is to play to the key male senses: sight, sound, touch and of course, taste.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning that bash for the man in your life -- whether he's a pal, a husband or a family member:
COLOURS: When choosing colour combinations for your fete, stick with naturals or dark shades. Black with white/grey and red always work well together. Other colours like maroon, navy, varying shades of brown (from tan to chocolate) and darker shades of green like forest and sage work nicely too.
GUESLIST: Track down his group of pals -- including family, relatives, friends and co-workers. Be sure to invite any friends or family that live out-of-town or whom he hasn't spoken to in quite a while. Even if they can't attend, they should be invited. And you never know, they might just want to be part of the surprise! Don't necessarily limit your guestlist to men -- most men have female colleagues too and what party is complete without us women to keep the men engaged?
THE FOOD: Men don't nibble. They eat. So be sure to have an abundance of food on hand whether it's via buffet or platters. If you prefer the cocktail party style and have your food passed, be sure to estimate for at least 4 to 5 pieces per person and choose hors d'oeuvres that are filling and boast with flavour.
THE DRINK: Ensure that you have standard liquor and wine on hand for any females that may be attending your soiree but men-targeted beverages are must-have's. Beer, scotch, rum and whiskey are always great choices. Our favourite choice of beverage for men? Drambuie. Versatile and flavourful, Drambuie can be mixed and served in a number of ways: neat on the rocks, mixed with club soda, mixed with Ginger Ale, or our all time fave: Drambuie mixed with orange juice and topped with Ginger Ale. Serve with lime wedges and you're all set.
Stuck for a theme? Stay tuned for Parts 2 through 4 in which I give tips for four separate themes -- from the upscale to the ultra-casual -- that work well for male-dominated parties.
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