Six Weeks to Go
� Choose a date and time.
� Compose a guest list. Keep in mind your space constraints and budget.
� Determine the theme or mood you'd like to establish with the food, table settings, flowers and music.
� Line up responsible teens to help set up your party and handle cleanup
Party Planner Tip No. 1:
Decide why you are having a party. Is it to celebrate a milestone? Reunite old friends? Entertain business associates? Knowing why you're giving a party will help you decide whom to invite. Aim for a mix of guests who will provide lively conversation.
"I hate payback parties. They're a terrible idea. People look around and see guests they don't know or see people whom they invited to dinner." � Lora Brody, author
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Four Weeks to Go
� If your party is casual, call your friends now.
� Plan your menu. If you stay with one region or nationality � Italian, Chinese, Southwestern, Creole � you'll have an easier time putting recipes together.
� Place a special food order with your favorite bakery, carryout or butcher.
� If you need any special ingredients, order them.
� Check your linens, dishes and flatware. Replace missing forks and stained napkins. Make sure you have the right serving dishes.
� Buy your party clothes. You don't want to shop while the roast is in the oven.
� Stock up on liquor and other beverages.
Party Planner Tip No. 2:
Use real plates and silverware, not paper and plastic. Rent more if your cupboard is low. Here's a general guide for a buffet party:
Forks: 4 per person
Knives and spoons: 2 per person
Plates: 3 per person, plus dessert plate
Glassware: 5 per person
Napkins: 5 per person
In search of a special dessert? "I find that if you order a wedding cake --yes, a wedding cake-- from your local bakery, it's always the best cake they make. It showcases their abilities and you know it's going to be fresh." � Guy Parneix, author [Back to Top]
Two Weeks to Go
� Cook foods that can be frozen until the party. This includes fillo appetizers, unfrosted cakes, unbaked fruit pies, cream soups and breads.
Party Planner Tip No. 3:
If you're not accustomed to entertaining, don't over-reach. Keep the menu simple, prepare dishes you're familiar with and lean on prepared foods. Buy the bread or dessert. Don't feel you have to make everything.
"A great cheese will make an average wine seem greater than it is, and an average cheese will drag down a great wine." � Steven Jenkins, cheese guru [Back to Top]
One Week to Go
� Clean the house, or better yet, hire someone to do it.
� Give the glasses and flatware a run through the dishwasher.
� Write out every recipe, make a grocery list and shop.
� Choose music to help set the party mood.
Party Planner Tip No. 4
Cocktail parties worked well in the ancient era when people left the office at 5 p.m. Now people work later. If you invite guests over for cocktails they'll need food. If you have more guests than you can provide seating for, rely on food that doesn't require knives and forks, such as skewered shrimp or beef with dipping sauces.
"When you invite people over it is your responsibility to make them feel at home. To me, the best way to do that is to let your imperfections show...There is nothing more welcoming and endearing than something homemade: things cut unevenly, pie crusts that are imperfect as they come out of the oven, tabletops that may be a bit crooked." �Katie Brown, author
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The Party is Tomorrow
� Set the table.
� Arrange flowers.
� Do all but the last-minute cooking.
� Line up serving dishes for all courses.
Party Planner Tip No. 5
For winter parties, buy full-blown roses from a wholesaler. The prices are very cheap when the flowers are in full bloom. Buy tons. It's a beautiful look, but be careful that your flowers aren't so strongly scented that they compete with the food.
"Always buy great bread and, like the king, serve good, hot coffee. Your guests will think you are a genius." �Rozanne Gold, author
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The Party is Today!
� Do at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise in the morning as a stress-buster.
� Take a break two hours before guests arrive and soak in the tub.
� Heat the dinner.
� Have fun.
Party Planner Tip No. 6
If you have no separate area where children can occupy themselves cheerfully, it's probably best to leave them off the guest list. They finish eating in 80 seconds and don't really enjoy hanging out with adults anyway.
"Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter, Sermons and soda water the day after." �Lord Byron
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