25 Tips for Stress-Free Entertaining
Or How to Host a Birthday Party
Without Collapsing
Let's Get Started
- Send out invitations four weeks before the event. If you specify regrets-only, you'll cut down on the number of phone calls you will receive.
- Let your life be run by lists. And don't leave home without them.
- Shop for non-perishable items at least two weeks ahead of time.
- If you need a specific item, try calling the stores before you venture out in search.
- Ask for assistance. If contracting professional help is not in the budget, you can hire a teen-ager or college student to help with light cleaning, serving or car parking.
- Don't clean house the day of the party. Pick up clutter only. Remember: Your guests are your friends and you won't be judged by how immaculate a housekeeper you are.
- Have cleaning products on hand. Keep your cool if someone spills the expensive red wine on the even more expensive new cream-colored rug. Apply first aid to the spill and assure your guest that it's no big deal.
Decorating Details - Designating a theme makes planning easier. From that point, you can decide on decorations, foods, invitations, centerpieces, music, etc.
- Provide plenty of low tables (and coasters) for guests to put down drinks and plates.
- Do you have enough chairs? Count the number of guests and add ten percent. Arrange seating in semi-circles of four or five.
- Keep the lighting subdued for a touch of elegance and to create a feeling of intimacy. Scented candles add atmosphere but make sure that the fragrance doesn't clash with the smell of the food.
- A light sprinkling of confetti adds color and excitement to your serving table.
- If you're having a sit-down dinner with guests that don't know each other well, assign seating.
Serving Suggestions - A party is not the best time to try out new recipes. Time-tested and fool-proof are your watchwords.
- Large group...small space. A buffet works best in this case.
- Dress up a serving dish by adding simple garnishes of fresh herbs.
- Set out serving dishes filled to the brim with food and replenish often. This way guests won't have to feel guilty about taking that last little piece.
- Set an example for your guests by going for seconds. That's not so hard, is it?
- If you are serving alcoholic drinks, have a pitcher or two of ice water available at all times. And lots of food.
- Need to chill a bottle, pronto? Fill a container or bucket with ice and add water. Immerse the bottle in the solution.
- If there's leftover food, send each guest home with a container of their favorite dish.
At the Party - You may share good times but you may not share the same taste in music. Offer a variety of song styles, played low so as not to interfere with the conversation.
- Worried about a lull in the action? Have at least two icebreaker games on hand.
- Any of your friends have special talents? Contact them early to see if they'd like to entertain but don't put them on the spot during the party.
- Designate one person as the official photographer. Your guests will love to have digital or print pictures sent to them as mementos of the event.
The more relaxed you are, the more your guests will enjoy the party. So have fun.
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