Lemondrop

If your idea of hosting a party is opening a bag of Fritos and putting out Solo cups, you're our kind of girl. But unless you're also 19, this kind of hosting is not generally acceptable -- nor particularly fun. But there are some quick ways to make your minimal efforts look elegant. With touches this cute, you might even be able to con your friends into cleaning up afterward.

1. Forget flowers
They're the go-to centerpiece, but unless you have the chutzpah to steal them from somebody's lawn, they're expensive as heck. You can get a similarly fresh look by stacking lemons, limes or apples in a glass vase or bowl.

2. Ice, ice baby
Here's a bartending trick you might not know: Mixed drinks taste so good in lounges because they use smaller cubes, and tinier pieces tend to mix and taste better. Pick up shaved ice or a few small-cube trays and a cocktail shaker for bar-quality cocktails.

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3. Decorate your drinks
Live by the Umbrella Principle: As long as a beverage has some fancy crap hanging from its rim, your guests will have no idea you cheaped out on bargain-basement booze. Try garnishes like candied ginger, shaved chocolate or edible glitter on the rim, or invest in a citrus zester so you can make long lemon or orange curls from the rind.

4. Mine the past
The easiest way to elevate your entertaining style? Serve drinks and food on old silver trays. Flea markets and consignment stores are treasure troves. Mismatched teacups are also perfect for holding candies, and use '70s-style three-section bowls to present the ideal ratio of snacks: two salty (peanuts, popcorn, cheese) to one sweet (M&M's).

5. Set the mood.
Turn off the overheads and pop some peach light bulbs in your lamps. They're about $9 each, but you can't put a price on that glowy look that makes everyone look hot. Offer about one-third less seating for your guests than you think you should, which forces them to mingle and not sit on your couch all night.

Tell us! What's the most low-maintenance party you've ever thrown?

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