The following cocktail party ideas shall hopefully permit you to prepare for an incredible cocktail party that will leave all your friends wanting more.

1. You might cut out cocktail glass shapes and write the invites on the flipside. Microsoft word has a very good cocktail glass you can use in the graphics section.

2. cocktail parties have traditionally been the before part of a dinner party and so proper dress is obligatory. It must be black tie for the guys and the finest black or red dress for the ladies.

3. I'd highly mull over employing a skilled cocktail maker. Watching his elaborate tricks will be a highlight for the evening and they can be relatively cheap! You'll be sure to have on offer a broad range of fancy cocktails that enlighten your company.

4. Failing this, you can offer stations throughout your venue complete with instructions telling your company how to create each drink. Go for the familiar favorites like the Hawaiian, Cosmopolitan and The Dirty.

5. The most vital item to bear in mind when throwing a cocktail party is to overdo it on the lot. Ensure you overstock on all alcoholic drinks, mixers, straws, cups, glasses and most importantly ice. I also buy in some soft drinks for the designated drivers. Don't be the event host who ran out of drinks at a cocktail party!

6. In general, the fare I go for would be finger buffets. But I'd try and go for a big range of different things to provide for everybody's tastes.

7. Depending on your budget, reflect on employing skilled waiters to arrange and serve the fare. This add a touch of class to your cocktail theme party.

8. For the music, I go for soft jazz or classical.