Let's go party tonight

A DO-IT-YOURSELF PARTY PRIMER

Now that we are into the final week of the year, you're probably be in overdrive "" if you are not hosting your own big bash, you'll be attending a score of big and small ones "" Christmas or New Years dos, or just "in-between" ones; and if you haven't been invited to one yet, you'd probably be considering "buying" yourself some entertainment "" coughing up enough dough at one of the posher hotels in town. All the voyeuristic rest, including those who plan to hug their telly in 2007, can catch the action here "" gratis!

If Diwali was ruled by over-the-top parties that sought to recreate the Vegas ambience, including roulette and blackjack tables, the tone for the year-enders seems different. People are waking up to the possibility of hosting stylish brunches instead of mad, cold dinners.

"Begin early and end late," says food consultant Marut Sikka, "and keep the food simple, light and resorty-y". In Mumbai, all those who are not jetting down to Goa (Vijay Mallya is hosting his big NYs Eve party there, and so is Dipti Salgaonkar), will possibly settle for elegant sit-downs. "Sit-down dinners are definitely a trend this year," says party planner Farokh Khambatta, himself off to Kishen Mulchandani's "Sindhi Christmas".

And what the really snobby sets are attempting is to cut down on the number of invites "" and ostentation. Themes, for one, seem to be passe "" though, as you'll see, not always. And even the food has become more highbrow. Multi-cuisines are not recommended, exclusive dining is in and society regular Devi Cherian recalls last year's farmhouse dos with horror.

The accent in party catering is on European menus "" so if you want to be classy, try asking your caterer for a station of pate foie gras, or in the very least a selection of fine French cheeses to go with the wines being flown in.

If an all-French sit-down (there's going to be one for 400 guests at a hotel in Mumbai) is a bit much, encourage some fusion; French meets Asian et al. Seafood is also hip "" everything from Chilean sea bass to Himalayan trout to sushi.

Though the latter seems to have become somewhat of a cliche. Then, there are "resort-y" menus with grills, roasts and colourful salads. However, Indian cuisine may not be a bad bet what with haleem such a favourite at winter parties this year. "Sarson ka saag, biryanis, kebabs and paranthas," suggests Sikka. Amit Dua, a busy caterer in the capital, agrees.

He is doing several stuffings "" egg, keema, green chillies and rajma! But if you want to impress the guests with some pizzas, try getting a wood-fired oven (like some Delhi hosts did recently) "" either imported (obviously expensive), or locally constructed (a neat trick). Mojitos and Belinis (specially if the invitees include model-types) are likely to be appreciated as are mulled wines but you can go really over the top with "Margarita slush machines".

While food is the most important and expensive part of any party, entertainment "" in case, you are hosting a more boisterous bash "" is likely to get your budgets really soaring. The craze for foreign dancers of dubious origins seems to be finally passe, but there are those who'd like to fly in a star or a starlet.

"Akshay Kumar used to be very popular earlier, and starlets like Isha Koppikar and Mahima Chowdhury," says a regular. This year, try Arjun Rampal, who seems to be very visible suddenly! But you must have the star "" and hosts "" descend in a chopper.

Party-planner Nita Raheja suggests black with shimmer is in vogue as far as the decor goes; "black magic, black hats, fur boas". For music, DJs like Aqueel and Whosane are top-end, Iggy is popular and there are all kinds in between.

The latest trend focuses on live music with Arabic instruments, specially if you are repeating the ever-popular Moroccon theme. Finally, the pre-requisite is that the host sit back and enjoy!