Entertaining 101

Obviously, your level of preparation for a party depends upon many factors—the number and type of guests, the occasion, the food, the budget. If you’re having an extravagant, special-occasion event you will prepare differently than if your neighbors are dropping over for an impromptu glass of wine. These tips are for the big party—those life events that you want to forever capture in your memory.

1. My number one tip--clear the clutter and you clear your mind. Clean out the closets and drawers, organize under the kitchen sink, and vacuum the bread crumbs out of the silverware drawer. A weight will lift from your shoulders. Do this several weeks before the big event—please don’t start at midnight when company is arriving the next morning, or it will cause more stress than it is worth.


2. Determine a budget. You don’t have to spend a fortune to carry off an elegant, delicious party everyone raves about.


3. A few weeks before the party, plan your menu to match your budget. Low budget-big punch items include things like grilled veggies, antipasti platters and bruschetta or crostini with homemade toppings.


4. Decide what drinks you will offer to guests. Make sure you provide interesting and delicious nonalcoholic cocktails as well as wine, beer and cocktails. When it comes to drinks, there are several ways to keep costs down. One, ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine or nonalcoholic beverage in lieu of a hostess gift. Set a price limit, so guests do not feel obligated to bring an expensive bottle. Two, decide on only one signature cocktail. This has two advantages—it limits the number of spirits you need to buy for the party, thus reducing your cost. It also allows you to make large batches of the cocktail ahead of time, making serving easier.


5. Have the carpets cleaned a few days before the party. It will make you feel better, and the house will look fresh.


6. Wash your front door and sweep the cobwebs from the corners of the porch and from around the porch light.


7. A few days before the event, get out all of your platters, glassware, silverware and serving utensils. Wash, polish and decide which platters will be used for which dishes. If you don’t have enough serving ware, you can get elegant, very inexpensive plain white platters at discount stores like Target, TJMaxx and Marshals. These discount stores are also wonderful for finding inexpensive linens and table accessories.


8. Make a complete grocery list of all of the items you will need for the party. Check them off as you purchase them. Try not to leave all of your shopping for the last minute. Pantry goods can be purchased days and weeks ahead of time. If you have children (or husbands) who might be tempted to snack on things like nuts, chocolate or crackers, you might want to hide them until the party. Just don’t forget the hiding place!


9. Make sure your guest bathrooms are stocked with toilet paper, fresh soap and clean towels. A discretely placed plunger is not a bad idea either.


10. If you are having overnight guests, make sure each guest has their own set of towels and individual soaps. Stock the guest bathrooms with toiletries and supplies they might have left behind, like lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream and deodorant. Buy travel sizes they can just take home with them.


11. Place a bottle or carafe of water on each guest’s bedside table. It’s a nice touch for guests who may not want to wander to the kitchen in the middle of the night for a drink.


12. Use white, unscented votive candles. They are inexpensive and easy to replenish—and they won’t tip over if accidently bumped. Put candles everywhere to give an instant special air to the event. I usually buy these in bulk when I find them on sale, so I always have plenty on hand.


13. Keep flower arrangements simple – all one color is usually best, like a simple bunch of tulips in a short glass vase. Short, square glass vases can be purchased very cheaply at floral supply shops.


14. Create a timeline for preparing the menu. I usually find it’s easiest to start from the time of the party and work backwards, beginning with what needs to be prepared or finished at the last minute to what can be prepared hours or days ahead of time.


15. Prep as much of the menu ahead of time as you can. Veggies can be cut, dressings made, pasta cooked, desserts made….


16. The morning of the party, take a bath, do your hair & put on your makeup (if you normally do hair and makeup). Make sure your outfit is ironed and ready to be put on at the last minute. Lay out your jewelry and shoes, too. You won’t have time later in the day, even if you think you will.


17. Relax! If you’re not having a good time, your guests won’t have a good time. And if anything goes wrong, just laugh. It will make a great story.