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How can you throw a big party if you live in a small apartment? No mystery. Hold a Holiday Open House. Rita Bloom of Creative Parties will be the Apartment Adviser's guest to talk about everything you need to know about Open House parties and other forms of holiday entertaining at your place.

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: Today is Halloween, but if you've been to a store or mall in the last two weeks, you knwo that they're already setting up for the December holidays. Okay, so it might be too soon for you to want to shop, but if you plan to have a party in December, now is the time to get organized.

My guest today is party planner Rita Bloom of Creative Parties in Bethesda. We're going to talk about everything you need to throw an open house and answer some of your questions about other types of parties. If there is time between now and 3:30, I'll also answer a few of your apartment questions.

Okay, Rita, define an open house and talk about why it is especially suited to those who live in apartments, particuarly small units.

RB: An event with a beginning and end time and the invitation suggests that guests drop by any time inbetween those hours, to mix and mingle, share conversation, a few bites of food, a sip and then be on their way.
This allows the host or hostess to include many more people than they would be able to include in a more formal or structured event, such as a dinner party.

Best times?

RB: Saturday afternoon should not include the dinner hour unless you are planning to put out dinner foods. So hold it anytime between 3 and 7 and you could serve light refreshments and maybe one special mixed drink, anything from eggnog to a mulled cider to a martini as well as non-alcoholic offering. On Sunday, consider the local sports attractions before setting your party time. Brunch 11 to 2 might be perfect.

When planning an open house at an apartment, there's one more step than when you hold it at a house.

RB:You need to check with your management office and let them know about your party plans and how many guests you want to have and ask the following:

Is there a maximum number of guests you are allowed to invite?

Is there sufficient guest parking?

If not, does management expect you to hire a private valet service?

At what hour must music be turned off?

Would it be okay to rent a coat rack and keep it in the hallway outside your unit the few hours of the party or would this block a corridor that is part of a fire escape route?

If the loading dock is closed at the time of your party, how can the caterer (if you have one) enter the building? If you hire waiters, are they expected to use a service elevator?

How does management want trash, garbage and bottle disposal handled?

Are you expected to leave the names of guests and service people with the guard if it's a gated community, or with a concierge, front desk person or switchboard operator?

Now, we'll answer a few of your party questions an return to the open house information in a little bit.

Bethesda - Chevy Chase: How do you handle neighbors when you have a party? Do you invite them because the event will create noise and parking congestion, or do you figure out a way to inform them without inviting them?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: It depends on the reason for the party. If it is a general holiday party, then I would recommend that you invite them. You might want to use their refrigerator or keep that coat rack just inside their front door. Then there is less chance they will complain if the music is a little loud or there are a lot of people walking the hallways. But some parties are for a specific purpose, such as celebrating a retirement of someone in you office. You want to keep the guest list to those you work with. In this case, I would explain to my neighbor so they don't feel left out. Let them know you'll try to be considerate and not make too much noise. They might still offer use of their refrigerator.

Washington area: My dining room is a long narrow rectangle. The table runs for two-thirds of the room. Once guests sit down, they become trapped. it's hard to move around and to serve. Any advice on how to conduct Thanksgiving dinner?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: That's an easy one. Serve the meal family-style. Each part of the menu gets its own bowl or platter and they are passed around the table. Of course, you don't want the serving pieces to be too heavy to pass so it's okay to put them in two separate containers -- start one at one end of the table and the other at the other side. Also, have trivets along the table to hold the bowls or platters after they've been passed. Your guests might want seconds.

Bethesda, Md. : Dear Barbara and Rita,

I am planning a baby shower. My living room is very small, and I'm not sure how to get everyone squeezed in, open gifts and juggle food and drink. I'd like to invite about 16. Any advice?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: Have you thought about serving a box lunch? You prepare a complete lunch in a box and as each guest comes in, you hand them out. Then when they sit down and watch the gifts being opened they don't have to juggle. It certainly could also be in a charming basket with a handle and a pretty napkin inside. If guests know, for example, that it will be a girl baby, make it a Red Riding Hood theme. IF

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: a boy, it could be a rocket ship pattern to hold the lunch or a boat.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: Rita, how far in advance should holiday party invitations go out?

RB: Maximum time is four weeks and you could also do it one week ahead. Send by U. S. Postal Service. It will make your guests feel more special. I do not like "regrets only." It implies that you really don't care whether they come or not. Suggest replies by telephone or e-mail. A handwritten RSVP is not necessary but always appreciated.

Silver Spring: Is it OK to request that guests RSVP for an open house? Thanks.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: Yes, it is okay. You need to know how much food to prepare or how much food to order from a caterer. Also, if you get several regrets, you can add others to your guest list.

Arlington, Va. : If I want to have a Christmas tree in my living room, I have to remove the big comfortable chair. Should I just give up on an idea of a tree? The room also houses a couch, two small glass coffee tables and a standing lamp.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: No need to remove your big comfy chair. Consider holiday decorations that can go on top of tables and on bookshelves.

Silver Spring, Md.: It seems like we have one less weekend before Christmas this year. Do you think that I should expect a lower response to my party invitation? I was considering Saturday, Dec 14.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: The typical "loss" factor on guests has nothing to do with one less weekend in December. About 15 pecent will send regrets amongst guests who live in town. Amongst those from out of town, expect that 40 percent will turn down your invitation. This number could be higher if you are only inviting guests for cookies and eggnog, dessert and coffee -- not serving dinner. December 14 is a good date. People going out of town to visit family for Christmas won't leave until after that date. So since it is six weeks or so until December 14, this is good time to start planning for that party.

L'Enfant Plaza: Do you think it's a good idea to have a holiday party on Saturday, December 21? My concern is that many people will have already left for the holiday. What do you think about an open house on January 4?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: January 4th which is a Saturday is a better idea than December 21st. December 21 is so close to Christmas that people will be heading out of town, especially if children are out of school by then. I like January 4th because people have finished with the holidays by then and will welcome the chance to be together to share holiday stories.

Northern Virginia: What's your favorite party food for an event that includes adults, kids and teens? Also, grandma has trouble with spicy and chewy food. Any suggestions that will please everyone?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: There is no one food that will please everyone. Therefore, your menu should include a variety as well as some items that are not spicy and items that are easy to chew.

BB: Rita, do you find there are trends in food for parties?

RB: Ethnic foods are very popular such as a tapas bar, tacos and tequila, Italian pastas and antipasto platters.

BB: Does menu depend on age group of your guests?

RB: Younger people are more adventuresome in their choices of food and exposed to more variety. Older guests appreciate the traditional such as honeybaked hams with biscuits, roast turkey, roast beef, poached salmon.

Vienna, Va.: I've never cooked for more than six(!) and am planning to hold my first open house this holiday season. Twenty to 25 people will be attending, 3 to 7pm. How much food will I need, and could you suggest a favorite tried and true dish (or appetizer)?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: For 20 to 25 guests at a open house, limit it to three hours maximum. The average person eats eight bites of food the first hour and four each additional additional hour. So, therefore, in three hours they could eat 16 pieces if they stay that long. So for example if all you were serving is empanadas, cheese triangles and meat balls, you need 320 pieces for 20 and more for 25. If five things, do the math so you still have 320 pieces for 20 guests. In addition, I would have a dip or spread to bridge the gap in case you have some very, very hungry people.

BB: Rita, she also wants your suggestion for a favorite appetizer. What is it?

RB: I don't have one favorite but I do like to make sure that I have something for those who don't eat beef, pork, dairy products or are allergic to fish. Something for vegetarians. Raw vegetables platter.

Silver Spring, Md.: If I were to hold my open house from 4-8pm, what type of dinner food should I offer? Any suggestions for specific dishes? Thank you.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: You need to rethink your hours. Guests arriving at 4p.m. don't expect dinner, but those coming after 6:30 do and you would need to have a different presentation at 4 and later, entrees and side dishes -- dinner food.

Open house dinner dishes: a dish with starch, protein and vegetables in it, easy to serve, doesn't need a knife such as paella, lasagna, a good couscous.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: Rita, let's talk a little bit more. For example, people love having candles at parties. They add to the spirit of celebration, etc. But any advice on their place when you have a crowd at an open house and people are moving from room to room?

RB: Avoid tall tapers on the buffet table. It is too easy to knock them over when reaching for food. Look for candles that are short, chunky and stable. Keep them away from the floor where skirts or trousers could catch fire.

BB: Would you say a few words about traffic flow?

RB: Traffic flow makes the difference between a happy and unpleasant experience for your guests. A bar should not be placed near the entrance into apartment, but well into your party space. Set it up in an area separate from that in which you've placed food to avoid a bottleneck. If you can, try to place the bar and food so that guests can enter a room or area one way and exit another.

BB: Rita, you had a suggestion when I wrote about you in my Saturday "Apartment Adviser" column that was quite novel. I'm going to repeat it here. A closet could be cleared and used for the bar if space was tight. The door would have to be carefully taken off hinges and slipped under the bed and a table would need to be set up in the closet.

RB: Another suggestion is to fill your bathtub with ice and serve bottles of beer or small bottles of wine or soda from there.

BB: You also suggested a counter could be reserved in the kitchen just for the bar.

Silver Spring, Md.: I'm the person who wanted a 4-8pm party. I was thinking of these hours to accomodate friends with small children. What hours would you suggest?

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: RB: Do it earlier such as 3 to 6 -- after nap time but before their dinner time. Then, you wouldn't need a dinner menu. Children particularly like anything fried such as chicken wings. Also consider, a potato skin bar with various toppings good for children and adults, miniature pizzas.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: BB: Rita, how would you handle someone who suddenly lit up a cigarette when you have a crowd in tight quarters?

RB: I would have anticipated this problem by putting out a small sign at the entry area saying, "Thank you for not smoking." Then when the guest lit up, I would ask if they saw the sign and suggest the guest go outside the building to smoke.

BB: Before we close, please say something about guest parking. Not every apartment building has extra spaces.

RB: In the invitation, I might suggest the nearest Metro stop. Also, whether the building has extra parking for guests, valet parking, parking on the street and whether I've made arrangements to cover the cost of parking.

Prince George's Country, Md.: I understand that a landlord has a right to enter the property for purposes of maintenance, inspection and improvements. But is it within reason for a landlord to enter a dwelling on an average of at least once a month? I find the constant entering of the unit invasive of my privacy. Is there any rights on the part of the tenant to prohibit these numerous intrusions? They always seem to have a legitimate reason i.e. we're checking the filter, fire alarm, heat, extermination, balcony pantries, annual evaluations. Their letter of notification always come with a threat of penalty is they are not able to enter due to a changed or additional lock on the door.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: Dear PGC: Please look at my column this Saturday in the "Apartment Living" section of The Post. You'll find a long answer.

Atlanta Ga.: Dear Barbara:
In the Atlanta area we have gone crazy over lofts. I am planning to move to the Washington/Maryland area by the end of next year. I would love to purchase or rent a loft. Are there any available?
J. Miller (Lofty Ideas)

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: Dear Atlanta:

Lofts are somewhat new to the DC area. You will find them in a section of town known as Adams-Morgan which is colorful, multi-cultural and has enough restaurants so that you can enjoy the cuisine of a different country every night of the month. I believe the company putting up lofts is P. N. Hoffman. By the way, when you meet with a Realtor, make sure that he or she understands what you mean by a loft unit. Until recently, "lofts" in our area were nooks -- small areas -- above one end of a unit that you got to via a small staircase -- certainly not what you are talking about which is a big, open living space with few walls or half walls that might have been an industrial warehouse in a previous life.

Barbara Burtoff With Rita Bloom: Time to sign off for today. My thanks to party planner Rita Bloom of Creative Parties in Bethesda. Such great advice!

Since the last Thursday in November is Thanksgiving, I'll be back the third Thursday instead.

No guests, plenty of time to answer your questions about renting, leases and landlords. However, for those of you who submitted investment questions, please tune in next Thursday to Daniela Deane. She's the expert on that.

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