Tips for Throwing a Great Party!

Want to throw a great holiday party?  It’s all in the planning and details!  Impress your friends, avoid catastrophes and have a blast!  It’s all about having fun!!

 4 Weeks Ahead

•Mail/Evite the invitations. Do not rely on phone or word of mouth.
•Keep a written guest list.  Provide a firm RSVP deadline.  E-vites will keep track of your RSVPs.
•Plan the menu.
•Check on cooking and serving equipment and place your order to rent what’s needed and schedule delivery.  Buy anything else still not provided.
•If needed, arrange for help with valet parking, Bar tender, hostess helpers, or cleanup.

3 Weeks Ahead

•Start shopping for your new outfit!
• Buy nonperishables, disposable items, wine & spirits, nonalcoholic beverages, and mixers. You can plan for one signature cocktail.
•Plan layout of rooms to be used and your tabletop idea.
•Have linens cleaned and pressed.
•Order any groceries and specialty meats and seafood’s.
• Design your tabletop; plan lighting and candles.

2 Weeks Ahead

•Check the condition of the garden if the party is to be outdoors.  Add or change out flowers.
•Do any major housecleaning.
•Polish silver if needed.
•Order flowers
•Schedule mani and pedi.

2 Days Ahead

•Set your table as designed.
•Set up the bar – glasses, wine opener, stirrers, mixers, cocktail napkins.
•Make your playlist.  Don’t depend on having your IPOD on shuffle.
•Clean the rooms where the party will be held, and rearrange furniture as necessary, per your design layout.
•Mise en Place.  Begin assembling all ingredients, tools and pans required to prepare your meal.
• Post a revised last –minute itemized checklist.
•Label platters and set out serving utensils.

1 Day Ahead

•Draw a timetable of what needs to be cooked and served when.
•Shop for perishable foods.
•Prepare any recipes that can be cooked in advance, to save time on the day of your party.
•Pick up flowers.
•Call all hostess helpers and give each explicit instructions.

Day of the Party

•Finish cooking.
•Finish bar set-up – limes, lemons, olives, etc.
•Pour yourself a glass of Windsor Oaks wine

Relax and enjoy yourself!!

Enjoy the Journey!

Renée