Holiday Party Hosting Tips

“It’s that time of year…” Good cheer, fun with friends, great eats and, of course, excessive consumption. Too many cocktail wieners will lead to bad heartburn, but overdoing it on the Champaign can lead to really serious consequences. Whether hosting or attending parties, you need to protect yourself from potential trouble during this time of excess.
 
If hosting a party, you need to understand the potential pitfalls of social host liability. Simply put, if you serve alcohol to guests, you may be liable for any harm they cause while under the influence of alcohol. This includes any harm a guest causes to him or herself (i.e.-a single car accident). With that in mind, consider the following guidelines:
 
·     Hire a pro! If your budget allows, use a professional caterer or bartender and make sure they are insured. By hiring a third-party to serve alcohol you are insulated you from liability. Also, a professional is trained to recognize the effects of alcohol on guests and make the decision when enough is enough.

·     Eat and be merry! Be sure to offer plenty of food as alcohol is absorbed more slowly on a full stomach. Also, don’t skimp on the alternative beverages. Give equal placement to the soft drinks and juice and don’t foist cocktails on your guests.

·     Go Dry! It’s your party and you can go dry if you want to. No need to stress about anyone over-indulging if you don’t offer booze.

 
If attending a party or otherwise celebrating to ring in the New Year, be aware that our friends in law enforcement are out in force looking for impaired drivers. You can expect to see sobriety check points, particularly on well-traveled roads. These road-blocks feature random stops and police at the check points can also question any driver who is driving erratically.  So when heading out, you may want to consider:
 
Be a backseat driver! If you’re planning a big night out, why not go all out with cab or car service. Nothing impresses a date like a limo and you don’t need to bother with directions. If you are convicted of drunk driving it will cost you thousands of dollars in fees, fines, insurance surcharge as well as the huge economic impact of an extended period of losing your license. Even if you are arrested and found not guilty, your legal fees are likely to exceed $ 10,000. By comparison, hiring a car will cost you a few hundred dollars (less if you split it with another couple.) Even renting a fully-loaded stretch limo is a fraction of the cost of a DWI arrest.
 
Go with friends! Spend your night with friends you like and trust. People you know well are, hopefully, less likely to do something stupid and more willing to speak with you if they think you have had too much to drink.
 
Spend the night! As with hiring a driver, staying in a hotel is considerably cheaper than the costs associated with a DWI arrest. Where would you rather start the New Year, in a comfortable hotel room or a barren police cell?
 
Have a great time, but be thoughtful and responsible, to ensure the New Year gets off to a strong start.