How to Plan the Perfect Party

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Are you one of the many people who avoid entertaining because it can be overwhelming and stressful? Well, it doesn't have to be that way. Hosting a party for your friends or family can be easy and fun. The single most important thing you need to remember is that, at a party, the guests take their cues from the host. If the host is frantic and obviously stressed, you can bet that their guests will not feel comfortable. Therefore, you must remain calm, cool and collected in order to make your guests feel at ease. How can you do that and still attend to all of the necessary details? The answer is prior planning. Here is how you can plan the perfect party every time.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

A journal or notebook
A calendar
Invitations

Step1

The first step is to plan the type of party you would like to have: Do you want a cocktail party or a dinner party? Do you want the meal to be formal or casual? Will the food be served at the table or will you offer a buffet?

The answers to these types of questions will help you determine the number of people to invite, as well as who those people should be. The answers to these questions will also help you decide upon the menu later. Start a party journal and write the answers to these questions in it.

Step2

The next step is to plan the guest list. Invitations should be mailed approximately three weeks prior to the date of the party. Write down the names of all invitees in your party journal, leaving a space for their RSVP. This way you will know at a glance how many guests you are expecting.

Choose your RSVP deadline carefully, making sure to allow enough time to properly plan the menu. Keep in mind that many people overlook RSVP deadlines. If your deadline passes and there are people you have not heard from, consider your situation in deciding what to do. If your party is a more casual open-house type event, simply plan for everyone to attend to make sure you have enough for all who show up. However, if your party is a more formal affair and you need to know how many places to set at the table, you may want to consider following up with a telephone call. If you choose to call, keep the conversation casual and upbeat. Do not offend your guests by pointing out that they missed the deadline to respond. Simply try to ascertain the answer to your question through casual conversation.

Step3

Once you know how many guests you are expecting, the next thing you want to do is plan the menu. When planning the menu, try to choose as many dishes that can be prepared ahead of time as possible. Choose dishes that fit well with the theme of your party.

If you are having a cocktail party you will only need appetizers and you will want to choose foods that do not require a plate or utensils to eat. This will allow your guests the ability to mingle easily without trying to juggle a plate in one hand and a drink in the other. If you are offering a sit down meal you may opt for more elegant dishes.

Write down your menu selections in your party journal and make note of any preparation instructions that will help you determine when to get started on each dish.

Step4

Now that you have your menu established you can start planning the set up for the party. Will you need to set the table and, if so, for how many? Which tablecloth, napkins, dishes and centerpiece would you like to use? Do you need to purchase disposable cocktail plates and napkins? Write all of this information in your journal so that all of the thinking is done ahead of time.

Step5

The final step is the party calendar. Start one week prior to the event and write down any tasks that can be accomplished each day leading up to the day of the event. The idea is to leave as little as possible for the day of the party, allowing yourself time to relax, get dressed and get excited for your guests to arrive without running around trying to get everything done at the last minute.

The calendar should include things such as shopping for paper goods and decorations, grocery shopping, house cleaning, setting the table, and menu preparations. If you do a little bit each day you will be ready for your party before you know it.