How to Throw the Perfect Recession-Proof Cocktail Party

Times are tough for everyone except Paris Hilton, so we need to be even more creative than even in order to preserve some semblance of our former lives. According to every news source across the globe, one of the first things to go off the list of perks is going out and socializing with friends. That may do well by your pocketbook, but what about your sense of self? What about your connections to other human beings? What about our need to indulge and be fabulous? Ah, stress no longer! Here is the perfect solution.

In this tough economy the best most fabulous way to regain a sense of fun and normalcy is to dive backwards and learn from our past - the 1970's! Now, before you roll your eyes and turn to another page, think about it for a moment. Any cocktail party in the 70's was automatically awesome because they focused on being social. That's it. The food was not gourmet, expensive and it certainly wasn't tough to whip up yourself. And, the drinks! The drinks were probably the most creative thing about any of these parties. So, don't worry about running out and buying yards of beaded curtains or shag rugs or ugly dishware. No, all you need is the proper ingredients and a little creative up-dating and you'll soon find yourself with a mainstay that you can ride on throughout the economic crisis.

First, the food. Now, this will be the best part for any woman who fears her oven. If you were alive during the 70's (which I barely was) then you'll remember the food that was oh so cosmopolitan at the time. Trays and bowls are all you need.

Pigs in a blanket
Gerkins on a stick
Chips & Ranch Dip
Chex mix
Popcorn

Ok, now that you have the food taken care of, what drinks will you serve? Ah, don't worry about google, just prepare these little cocktails and you'll please everybody.

Harvey Wallbanger

1 oz. orange juice
1/2 oz. Galliano
4 oz. orange juice
Pour vodka and oj into collins glass of ice. Stir. Top with Galliano.

Singapore Sling

1 oz. Gin
1/2 oz. grenadine
sweet & sour mix
club soda
1/2 oz. Cherry brandy

Pour grenadine into the bottom of a collins glass, and fill with ice. Add gin, and almost-fill with equal parts of sweet and sour and chilled soda. Top with cherry brandy, and serve unstirred, garnished with a cherry.

Sangria

Store bought! Add a bit of chopped and sliced fruit and you've got classy and good for you!

Beer

Another and lasting tribute to all things old and fondly remembered - Pabts Blue Ribbon! If you can swing it, buy them in the can.

So, there you have it. The perfect recipe for the perfect cocktail party on a budget. If you so choose, throw in some games or karaoke or movies. But, no matter what else you should choose to add, your ground work will make the party perfect and you a legend in your own time!. Ya, this may sound boring, but why not add a couple bowls to your makeshift bar and play 70's lounge!. Another of the chic party foods that was a must have back in the day. And, I tell ya, I don't get why it still isn't more popular. You can do it the old fashioned way, you could jazz it up with all sorts of things from sweet to salty or you could even make it spicy hot. There are kind of no limits to what you can do with Chex mix and a little imagination.. Ah, the Hidden Valley envelope of goodness that was still new back in the day. All it took was a bowl, dressing mix and sour cream. Even I can pull this one off! Add chips and you've got the tried and true party food that everyone loves.. You just can't get any more retro than gerkins on toothpicks! It screams everything kitsch and will no doubt bring giggles of delights from all your girlfriends. Plus, you'll need no more than one jar to feed the entire cocktail party. So, cheap, cheap, cheap.. Now these little babies where chic and practical all in a tiny little fluffy roll. And, thanks to the frozen section in every supermarket, with all it's nuke and serve appetizers, you don't even need to bake them if you don't want to. Yes, if your oven is used to house articles of clothing or shoes you don't have room for in your closet, you still have the option of appearing to have baked! And, with all the trendy options out there, you could even substitute tofu for the real thing. Tofu in a blanket. Tofu on a stick. Yum.