| Here's a quick party planning checklist: | | | | all the ingredients. Get your order in writing or |
| Make yourself a gorgeous party planning | | | | faxed to you. |
| notebook with an inexpensive plastic three-ring | | | | Make a list of all ingredients you need and shop |
| binder that has a space to insert an inspirational | | | | early. |
| picture. Keep cutouts from magazines of ideas | | | | Prepare some of your dishes a few days before |
| you love about decorating, themes, menus, and | | | | your party. |
| recipes. Keep notes about your party afterwards | | | | Plan for vegetarians and special needs diets. |
| so you remember what worked well and what to | | | | Flowers |
| do differently next year. Your personal party | | | | Think about your home's color scheme when |
| journal will be an invaluable assistant to help you | | | | choosing flowers. A large poinsettia makes a big |
| avoid holiday stress. | | | | impact and costs less than florist bouquets. Add |
| Party Invitations | | | | tree branch cuttings from your garden to extend |
| Create dramatic invitations. Your friends pay | | | | grocery bouquets. Use curling ribbon as filler. Tie |
| more attention to a written invitation than a | | | | candy canes around a can and use for a floral |
| phone call. | | | | arrangement. |
| Send your invitations early and request an RSVP. | | | | Candles |
| Tell your guests what to wear so they feel | | | | Make sure that candles won't damage your |
| comfortable. Causal fun or dressy elegant. | | | | surfaces. Larger candles burn longer and you don't |
| Tell your guests what to bring so they don't have | | | | have to worry about watching them during a long |
| to think about it. If you say something like "We're | | | | party. Keep candles high and out of the way from |
| collecting unwrapped toys for our local ...," your | | | | children and your guest's hair. |
| guests won't feel like they need to go shopping | | | | Enjoy yourself and relax. Everything doesn't have |
| for you, too. List a specific dish type if you plan a | | | | to be perfect. Your guests will have fun in a |
| pot luck. | | | | home decorated for the holidays. Friends |
| Food | | | | appreciate a good time and will remember your |
| Check catering prices. You might be pleasantly | | | | gracious efforts to ensure a good time. |
| surprised to find that you can have your feast | | | | Copyright © Jeanette J. |
| delivered for about the same price as purchasing | | | | |