Lobster Day is a great excuse for a terrific party. You can plan to pay off all your social obligations, impress your boss, have a terrific family reunion, feast with friends (the most popular reason), or have an intimate dinner for two.

Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about planning a Lobster Day party.

• How many lobsters per person? 1-1/2 per adult seems to work pretty well. If you have any left over, you can make a terrific lobster salad or try this elegant little number: serve the cold lobster from the shell in pieces, waved over a little butter and washed down with your favorite bubbly ! It just doesn't get any better this!
• How much shrimp should I get? The answer is how much can you afford. Whatever you put out will be devoured but at a minimum you should plan on a quarter pound ( about seven shrimp) per person.
• Clams? Pure guesswork; maybe half your guests will be clam-lovers. Two serious clam lovers can eat a bag between them. Uncooked clams can be kept in the fridge for a few days to be steamed up or made into a fantastic chowda'.
• How do I care for my lobsters until dinnertime? Put them in the fridge; they won't crawl around as they'll be tired from the trip and want to rest before dinner. Can I keep in the fridge overnight? Ayuh...read Lobster Lore given out on Lobster Day.
• What about cooking the lobsters and clams? You'll receive Lobster Lore- a four page handout replete with all the details of caring for your seafood, precise directions for cooking, recipes for chowder and a teriffic lobster salad, our disassembly diagram and much, much more when you come with your cooler and some ice to pick up your goodies on Lobster Day. But cooking lobsters and clams is is easy as pie. You'll just steam the lobsters for 14-15 minutes, and the clams for 5-6 minutes. (no additives in the water). Don't have a steamer? Have a deep pot? Just drop a rack into the bottom. One of those round fold-out veggie steamers with little legs works just fine.
• What else do I need to get? Fresh Lemons for sprinkling. Nutcrackers (find in your market or hardware stores). To really spruce up your party and save a bundle on dry-cleaning you'll want some of our Bibs and Party Packs: maybe even an apron or t-shirt.
• Where do I pick up my Lobsters? We have a conveniently located pick up site in Fairfax County

Speaking of pie, here are a couple hints for dinner. No tuxes. Keep it simple. Lobster has a delicate taste. Don't overpower it. Down-east, here's what we'd serve : shrimp cocktail, steamer clams, some rolls or bread and a salad. If fresh corn on the cob isn't available, we'd serve some type of potato dish and that's it. Want a great potato recipe? See Mari's Killer Potatoes. Beer goes great with steamed lobster; wine not so great unless it's champagne. For dessert, you've got it - pie and ice cream.