Some friends have requested I donate to a charity in place of giving them a birthday gift.  These friends want to do something for others which in turn make them feel good knowing they are doing something worthy. Such friends wholeheartedly believe that they receive even more, knowing they are contributing to a better life of somebody else. In this world of consumerism, we have an abundance. Such a small contribution makes such a big difference in the lives of less fortunate in our community. 

Choose your charity (it could be a local not for profit community, or an overseas outreach centre helping children); the list is endless. Your generous spirit will inspire others and make for a better world.

The first cocktail I have for you is the delicious Sangria. There are quite a few ingredients but it’s worth it! For Sangria you will need red wine, orange juice, 7 UP, lemons, limes, an orange, brandy, sugar, orange liqueur, fresh lemon and lime juice and ice.  This will serve 8 people. 

Ingredients-
  3 cups dry red wine      
  1 ½ cups of 7-UP
  1 ½ cups of orange juice
  16 lime slices
  16 lemon slice 
  8 orange slices
  ½ cup of brandy
  ¼ cup of sugar
  2 tbsp. Cointreau liqueur or orange liqueur
  2 tbsp. grenadine
  2 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice
  2 tbsp. of fresh lime juice
  Ice cubes

Stir together all ingredients in a large pitcher with half of the lemon and lime slices. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes and then fill 8 large wine glasses with ice cubes and Sangria. Garnish with the remaining lemons and limes.

Party considerations are very crucial for the success of your party and as such should not be taken lightly. When throwing a party, you must consider: who to invite, what to offer, and how to approach the party. Deciding who to invite to the party is incredibly important, as everything you do for the party later is wholly linked on who is coming. When considering your guests, think about how compatable they will be as a whole. Deciding on what to offer affects who will show up. Inviting people is one thing, but getting them to show up is another. Make sure to offer activities and foods that will appeal to your guests; likewise, make sure that you stress the appeal of these activities to your possible guests. This will make your party appealing and decrease the number of ‘no-shows’. 

There are several ways to approach a party. There are ‘socializing’ parties, ‘activity based’ parties, ‘celebration’ based parties, and many more. Each of these has their own appeals, and each of these is appropriate for different situations. Based on your party guests, your decorations, your theme, even what you plan on wearing, decide on what type of party you wish to throw.

When you think actively about your party in this way, you better improve your chances of it succeeding. Make sure to stress what your party has to offer. This will attract people who are hesitant about showing up. Themes have a great appeal factor for parties, as well as allowing for a versatile and ultimately enjoyable experience. For a guide on party themes, which covers a few types and how to decide on which theme will work best for you, get online.