Planning the Perfect Party

While each party is unique, some aspects of hosting one are universal: inviting guests, planning the menu and decorating the venue. No matter the occasion, a little planning goes a long way in putting on a great party. First of all, think about the type of party you want. Ask yourself some basic questions: How many guests are you inviting? How formal is the occasion? What food are you serving? What decorations do you want? If your event is outdoors, do you have an alternate plan in case of bad weather? To get organized, create a work schedule. Know what you’ll need to do each week before the party and on the day of the gathering. Involve your family in the preparations and don’t refuse offers of help from friends.

Making it Inviting
The type of event determines how you’ll invite your guests. For a casual get-together, like a Memorial Day family reunion, you can invite guests with a phone call two weeks ahead. Certain kinds of parties, bridal and baby showers, christenings, bar/bat mitzvahs and graduations, usually require written invitations. Send them two to three weeks ahead. For formal parties, or larger parties (more than 15 people), send invitations four weeks in advance.

Creating an Atmosphere
The guests — and the special guest of honor, if there is one — are the stars of your party. But just as Hollywood stars need the right lighting, setting and props to make their movie shine, your guests need the right atmosphere. Think about the sights, aromas and sounds that will greet your guests and linger throughout the party setting. How will you arrange the room or yard? Does the look of the area invite guests to enter and move about? Where will people sit or stand? Does the layout allow them to chat with other guests? Decorations can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. Outdoors, let Mother Nature set the stage — your guests will enjoy a sunny day or a beautiful sunset. At night, some well-placed lights in addition to the moon and stars set the mood. Indoors, let candles bring a calm and inviting feeling. Appeal to your guests’ sense of smell with flowers. They always add a festive touch to any party’s decor. And with the abundance of fresh blooms available, it’s the perfect time to use some flower power to spruce up your party space. And finally, consider the sounds of the party. Do you want background music? How will you stimulate intriguing conversation?