Jimmy Contreras's Tips for Summer Entertaining

For social butterfly Jimmy Contreras, every day is a celebration. So we caught up with him in his Passyunk Avenue cocoon, JimmyStyle, to get his take on throwing the perfect summer soiree.

What’s a fun party game?
Uno is a good one; it goes well with cocktails. You want to keep it simple because you still want the conversation to flow.

What about guests who’ve had too much to drink?
If someone’s overserved, I let that person stay over! You just want to make sure you have a great brunch the next day with lots of Bloody Marys, sausage, and bacon. Bacon makes everything better.

What’s the golden rule of party throwing?
Create a good ambiance with candles and fresh flowers. Peonies are my favorite. Desserts are also good to have.

Yum. What’s for dessert?
Homemade ice cream sandwiches. I make sugar or chocolate chip cookies, then run down to Capogiro for gelato. Everyone gets a sandwich wrapped in wax paper before he or she leaves.

What are we drinking?
I always serve the Sassy J. It was created by a friend and me at the Italian Market Festival three years ago. It’s limeade with any kind of vodka, garnished with fresh fruit. It’s so refreshing.

How do you handle invites?
I love to send out cards I make myself. Other times, I just call people the night before and surprise them.

What about guests who come early and stay late?
I put them to work prepping for the party or putting final touches on the meal. Or I have them lend a hand with the cleanup afterward. The drinking continues, of course.

And so does the party.

Welcome to That Time Events

We organize and plan unconventional events and bring people together. From birthdays and cocktail soirées to cook-offs and ladies nights – if you can imagine it, we can create it.

It's about making, creating and imagining the "Remember That Times"....It's also about enjoying life - recognizing and appreciating the little things. Sometimes we all need a wake up call. And if it take balloons and a party hat then so be it!