In: Root » Travel and leisure » Social life
Details, details, details. Those are the three secrets for throwing a successful party. And creating checklists is the way to make sure you nail down every one of them! This list will help you focus on the most important details, and give you some suggestions for keeping track of them. 1. Make a list, suggests Suzanne Williamson, author of Entertaining for Dummies, and an experienced party planner and fellow list maker. Actually, make three: • A task list of all the things you can take care of before the day of the party. • A Day of the Party list for everything that must be done on The Day. 2. Make up the guest list at least three weeks ahead of time. 3. Send invitations no later than two weeks before the party. The invitation, whether written or telephoned, should let your guests know whether dinner will be served at the party. 4. Plan the menu (or call the caterer) two weeks ahead of time. (Very popular caterers in large cities may need to be booked more than two weeks ahead.) 5. Get help. If you’re expecting more than eight or ten people, give serious thought to hiring an extra pair of hands—a bartender or even a local teenager can take coats and bus the buffet table. If you do have a bartender or other assistant, explain exactly what you’d like him to do. Tell him where to find extra supplies and make sure he can direct guests to the bathroom and telephone. 6. Assign tasks. Decide who is going to make drinks and answer the front door. Consider hiring a bartender if you are the only host. 7. Set the table. If you’re renting linens and tableware, reserve what you need at the rental store two weeks ahead. If you’re buying disposable party ware, make this purchase well in advance to free yourself for other details. 8. Stock the bar. Buy drinks and mixers well ahead (see “The Well-Stocked Bar” on page 115 for what to buy). Don’t forget to include nonalcoholic beverages. 9. Decorate. You don’t need balloons or banners unless they are appropriate for the occasion. Flowers and candles, however, can add to the festive air and create a magical atmosphere. Place small vases of fresh flowers in several locations and scatter or group candles where they’ll glitter but be out of the way. Order flowers ahead of time, but don’t pick them up until the day of the party. 10. Round up extras. Borrow any extra tables and chairs you need ahead of time so you can decide how to arrange them. 11. Make sure you have plenty of hangers and space to hang guests’ coats. If you’ll be tossing them on a bed, don’t send guests to find the room on their own. Consider asking a neighbor’s older child to handle this chore. 12. Prepare the bathroom. Don’t forget fresh soap and clean hand towels for your guests. Cotton fingertip towels are a nice touch; but attractive paper towels are okay too. Make sure there’s a wastebasket handy. Double-check the toilet paper supply. 13. Strike up the band. Give some thought to the mood you’d like to establish and select the CDs you intend to play a few days ahead of time. (A critical detail like this can get lost in the frenzy of last-minute preparations.) Unless you’re hosting a dance party, keep the sound at a level that allows guests to chat comfortably. 14. Keep a close eye on the food table. Clear used glasses, plates, and crumpled napkins while the party is in full swing. Replenish food as needed. You might ask the coat taker to help with this job. 15. Do your job. Be a cheerful host. If tension or behind-the-scenes catastrophes have you longing for the end of the evening, your guests should never suspect it. No matter how frazzled, frustrated, or nervous you feel, keep smiling. Do your best to smooth their entry. Guests should have a drink in hand and be introduced to someone else within a few minutes of their arrival. It’s your job to guide them to both bar and conversation.
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