Sip Into a Glamorous Cocktail Party

Perfect Party Host

Does hosting a sit-down dinner tend to send you into a tizzy? Try this tapas-inspired menu, defined by small bites and fizzy cocktails.

• Recipe: Sparkling Rum Punch

Festive Details

Here's another reason to bubble over with excitement: We partnered with Minted to create custom paper goods for each of our parties, all designed by Southerners. In addition to invitations, you'll find banners, centerpieces, stickers, and more at minted.com/el/southernliving

Set the Table

Add instant whimsy with a dash of confetti at each place setting, sprinkled atop a mix of gold-trimmed china. Create a slit in the top of a Champagne cork for an instant, clever place-card holder.

A Bit About Bubbly

This time of year, wine aficionados reach for Crémant, a typically high-quality sparkling white wine made in several French wine regions. Expect to pay $15 to $30, about half that of Champagne. Now that's what we call bang for the bottle.

Crispy Goat Cheese-Topped Arugula Salad

The Panko-coated goat cheese slices lend a nice and crisp bite to this salad, which we've topped with a fruity pomegranate vinaigrette.

• Recipe: Crispy Goat Cheese-Topped Arugula Salad

Salt-Roasted Beef Tenderloin Sliders

You can serve these hearty bites between biscuits, brioche, or artisan dinner rolls for an elegant presentation.

• Recipe: Salt-Roasted Beef Tenderloin Sliders  

Mini Crab Cakes with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa

Make these crab cakes a day ahead and brown on a skillet just before guests arrive.

• Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa

Fingerling Potatoes with Avocado and Smoked Salmon

You'll love the unexpected flavor combination of creamy avocado and fresh dill atop roasted potatoes.

• Recipe: Fingerling Potatoes with Avocado and Smoked Salmon

Shop the Party

1. Updated bamboo rod chandelier, $849; shadesoflight.com

2. Quartz cluster necklace, $42; leifshop.com

3. Vera Wang Wedgwood Orient flute, $42.50; wedgwood.com

4. Corial Gold by Medard De Noblat dinnerware, $34 and up; michaelcfina.com

5. Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Pale Pink, $28; sephora.com

6. Gold party eyelashes, $5; amazon.com

7. Pink Marc de Champagne truffles, $25; neimanmarcus.com

8. Deborah minaudière, $285; ingechristopher.com

9. Shattered Pink Diamond Glitz nail color, $8; essie.com

Set the Mood

Get your party started on the right note with our playlist:

• Little Brown Jug, Glenn Miller Orchestra
• I've Got the World on a String, Frank Sinatra
• Holly Jolly Christmas, Michael Bublé
• My Favorite Things, Diana Ross and The Supremes
• Sing, Sing, Sing, Anita O'Day
• Come Fly With Me, Frank Sinatra
• Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt
• Baby, It's Cold Outside, Louis Armstrong
• The Nutcracker Suite, Baz Kuts Breaks Mix
• Auld Lang Syne, Pink Martini