| Have you ever wanted to have the reputation of | | | | look fabulous if you plan well. Be sure the party |
| hosting the BEST parties in town? Well, here are | | | | site is inviting. If it's an evening setting, us lighting |
| some easy steps to acquire that reputation | | | | to set the mood. Indoors or out, candles and |
| you've always wanted, without spending a lot of | | | | other forms of ambient light can be used. Use |
| cash! | | | | flowers, candles, and wonderful scents to set the |
| 1. After you've decided to have that special | | | | mood. To make this party memorable you must |
| get-together, the first thing to do is send out | | | | engage all the senses: sight, smell, sound and |
| invitations. Not just any old invitation, but an | | | | touch. When your guests arrive they should see |
| invitation that reflects the type of party you're | | | | the beautiful setting you've arranged for them, |
| having. Your invitations set the tone for the | | | | also set out flowers and potpourri to send nice |
| festivities! For example, if it's a formal dinner | | | | fragrances throughout the space. Have |
| party, send an invitation that looks like a tux with | | | | appropriate music playing in the background, not |
| a bow tie, or send a note with all the party info | | | | too loud, so that conversation can be held without |
| attached to a real bow tie. Find miniature bottles | | | | shouting. Place small favors at each place setting |
| of champagne or fake bottles and attach a | | | | or if this is a cocktail party, have favors |
| beautiful handwritten card as the invitation. | | | | positioned on a tray or table in an imaginative |
| Whatever the theme, your invitation should | | | | way. For example, if you have favors in small gift |
| convey it. Use your imagination and peak | | | | boxes or small Chinese take out boxes, stack |
| everyone's interest. | | | | them in a pyramid in the center of the dessert |
| 2. Plan your menu. Whether you're planning a full | | | | table. Each person gets to take one box off the |
| dinner or just appetizers, keep it simple. Don't try | | | | pyramid. Again, use your imagination! Also, give |
| a new recipe for the first time for this occasion, | | | | thought to traffic paths. Make sure guests can |
| unless you have a backup plan in case the new | | | | move around freely and have several places for |
| dish doesn't turn out like you planned. Instead, use | | | | guests to congregate. |
| a tried and true menu that you've cooked many | | | | 4. When you host a party for more than 10 |
| times. Whatever you decide on, be sure that it's | | | | guests, enlist the help of friends or family to help |
| something that you can prepare ahead of time, | | | | you mingle and make sure everyone is having a |
| like the day before the party. If you can't | | | | good time. If you're serving drinks, hire a |
| pre-cook the entire menu, you should be able to | | | | bartender or ask a friend to do this. Check with |
| prepare at least 98% of it in advance. This saves | | | | bartending schools in your area. The students |
| time and stress on party day. Besides, who | | | | won't charge as much because they're learning |
| wants to cook all day and try to party all night? | | | | and this is a good chance for them to get |
| 3. Choose and decorate the venue. Whether it's | | | | experience. Now, you are free to mingle! |
| outside or inside, you've got to set the mood. | | | | 5. Enjoy the party. If you've planned and prepared |
| You will do this by decorating the space and | | | | ahead of time, you'll be refreshed and free to |
| setting it up for the party. Again, the rule of | | | | enjoy yourself. Now, you'll be the talk of the |
| thumb is keeping it simple. It can be simple and still | | | | town! |