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| Do Start the party post-lunch, but try to wrap up by early evening If you are going to a restaurant, book the tables in advance Organise games like housie and cards Don’t |
There is many a joke (cracked mostly by men) about how groups of women get their heads (or tongues) together in the afternoons to gossip about who’s dating whose husband. But however much you ridicule the concept, kitty parties are a thoroughly enjoyable affair, provided you are in the right company. In case you are not tuned in on how to go about things, a few simple fundas will help you throw a rollicking kitty and win over the hearts of your society sisters.
Happy hours
It is rather needless to say that kitty parties have to be hosted in the afternoons. After all, the whole idea is to make the best use of the hours when your husband is away at work and the children are in school. Start post-lunch; around 2 pm would be right. Don’t start too late, you have to wrap it up by early evening to be in time to welcome the kids when they are back from school.
Kitty kennel
The ideal venue would be your home, provided everyone else is away. If things are not that convenient, opt for the empty apartment of anyone in the group. The other option, and in fact the better one if you just want to let down your hair and relax, is a restaurant. But remember to make the booking in advance, especially if you are in a large group.
Age no bar
It does not matter for how many years one has walked the earth, greying streaks are a sign of experience in most matters. So, while drawing up the guest list, include some such interesting characters to spice up the conversation. A word of caution for the not-so-olds: be careful of these greying grannies, they might not look very active physically, but their grey cells work overtime.
Chit chat
The agenda at a kitty party can be divided into three categories — gossip, gossip and more gossip. “That is the hook of a kitty party and, moreover, you get to know a lot about various things with different people having different stories to tell,” explains Neera Khurrana, who has been a regular at such parties over the past 20 years. So, just let the gossip mills grind overtime.
Game plan
To spice up the event, play housie or different card games. In fact, you can raise funds for the next kitty through such games. If you want a more elaborate affair, invite a professional make-up artiste or cook to join you and share some tips. That way, the time will be well-utilised while taking care of the fun factor.
Noble angle
Take care that the party is not only about blabbering and back-biting. You can turn it into a platform for some noble deeds too. “We often raise funds for good causes through kitty parties. If somebody in the group is in dire need of funds, we allow her to take the kitty with common consent. After all, the idea is to develop a bond with the people you are socialising with,” feels Meena Khattar, a resident of Park Circus and a regular in the circuit.
Food note
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The grub really depends on the number of people in the group. If it’s on the lower side of 15 then you can cook it yourself at home. But if it exceeds 15, you can either take the help of a home delivery service or ask each member to bring one dish. The food at a kitty party is usually snacky. With most women watching their waistline, stick to some non-oily but interesting fare like chaats, dahi vada or sandwiches. Make enough provisions for drinks so that every time someone goes dry in the throat gossiping, you have something to offer her. A welcome drink like lassi, mocktails or soft drinks should start the floor. Tea, coffee or a second helping of the welcome drink should suffice after snacks.
Dress code
This can be a perfect opportunity to flaunt your new georgettes and chiffons. Keep the heavier silks for more formal dos. Since it is an afternoon affair, avoid dolling up too much.
Tag along
This is a relatively new concept, but one that is proving to be quite popular these days. The idea here is to take your husband or boyfriend along with you to the party, provided you can risk the rest in the group feasting their eyes on your man.
