Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 24, 2008 Last Minute GIFT GUIDE Tips for a responsible host (ARA) ‘Tis the season for planning the perfect holiday celebrations with family, friends, and coworkers, and many hosts are thinking ahead to decide what food to serve, what music to play, and what decora- tions to hang. If you’re inviting guests over for a party, follow these simple tips to pro- mote responsible holiday revelry and help everyone have a safe, enjoyable time: When serving alcohol, serve food. Offer non-alcoholic beverages. Have something for everyone, including soft drinks and coffee. Serve each guest one drink at a time. Spacing drinks throughout a party can help your guests stay within their personal limits. Never force drinks on anyone. If serving wine, do not keep refreshing unfin- ished glasses as this makes it difficult for guests to keep track of how much they are drinking. Serve “measured” drinks. Beer and flavored malt beverages con- tain 4.2 to 6 percent alcohol by volume and come in standard-size packages, so it is easy to keep track of how much you are drinking. Hard liquor drinks can have dra- matically different amounts of alcohol, as well as calories and carbohydrates. Many factors contribute to these wide variances: brands of liquor used, alcohol by volume in brands chosen, drink recipe, mixers, and bartender’s pouring preferences. If you choose to serve hard liquor, use a shot glass to avoid making drinks too strong. If serv- ing wine, do not use oversized glasses. The amount of time during which an alcohol beverage is consumed greatly impacts how alcohol is absorbed into the body. Beer is widely recognized as a bever- age of moderation. Even though a 12 ounce beer may contain the same amount of alco- hol as a 1 1/2 ounce shot of 80-proof liquor, a beer is enjoyed leisurely, while a shot is usually consumed in one swallow. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party ends. Serve desserts and other foods, coffee, and soft drinks. But only the passage of time will eliminate alcohol from the body. Encourage your guests to designate a driver before they arrive. Don’t ever hesi- tate to call a cab or ask someone to spend the night if he or she may have had too much to drink. Plan ahead to help ensure the holiday season is fun and safe by designating a driver before the festivities begin. SHOTMEYER BROS. “We’re the Energy Experts!” The Finest Heating Oil and Service Company in the Industry! AUTOMATIC DELIVERY! COMPLETE INSTALLATION! EMERGENCY SERVICE! Dependable, Reliable Service for Over 80 Years! Call Us Today! 973-427-1000