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" Charleston, SC-based hostess-cum-wedding planner extraordinaire Tara Guerard makes entertaining hundreds look easy. Here, she spills her tricks of the trade for a flawless cocktail hour. 1. Location is first and foremost. Consider your guest count\u2014if you&amp;#039;re expecting over 12 people, make sure that the spot you choose for the bar is not right in the front door or in any high traffic area. I often set up the bar at the furthest spot in the room\u2014it pulls guests in and creates a better flow. 2. Don&amp;#039;t forget an ice scoop or tongs. You do not want guests using their hands or a glass to scoop ice. 3. Pre-cut lemons and limes are a must! 4. Provide great glassware and pretty linen napkins. Don&amp;#039;t skimp here, hostesses! 5. Have our bar checklist handy to ensure you&amp;#039;re well stocked! Tara Guerard&amp;#039;s Cocktail Component Pad 6. You don&amp;#039;t have to have a &amp;quot;bar&amp;quot; or bar cart, I often set up my kitchen counter as as a bar. Try a garden table\u2014or a potting station from your yard. I have even turned a cabinet into a bar. 7. Do not provide straws because it is not actually proper to drink from straws. Instead, offer a drink stirrer. 8. Make sure white wine, beer, and champagne is chilled appropriately. Semi-chilled anything just doesn&amp;#039;t hit the spot! 9. I always say,&amp;quot;a drink in hand makes a happy guest!&amp;quot; [From HouseBeautiful.com] Related:How to Throw the Ultimate Backyard Party With Things You Already HaveHow to Throw a Chic Southern Soir\u00E9eDon&amp;#039;t Make These Entertaining Mistakes "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/food-recipes/entertaining/advice/a18033/tara-guerard-entertaining-tips-house-beautiful/>