How to Plan the Perfect Party
How to Plan the Perfe ct Party:
Anywhere . . . Anytime . . . And For Any Reason!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Page 3
Chapter 1: Why Party?
Page 7
Chapter 2: Step-by-Step Preparation
Page16
Chapter 3: Feeding Your Guests
Page 30
Chaper 4: Being the Perfect Host
Page 38
Chapter 5: Party Progression: Let's Keep the Party Moving
Page 49
Chapter 6: Party Planning on a Budget
Page 54
Chapter 7: Top 10 Theme Ideas
Page 54
Conclusion
Page 59
Appendix I
The Party Planning Checklist
Page 61
Appendix II
How Much Food To Prepare
Page 63
Introduction
I
can see the panic in your eyes already. They're as wide as a deer's caught in a car's headlights. You needn't fear this event. You needn’t run from it either.
Is that how you feel when you host a party? Panicky? Fearful? Ready to run out the back door the minute the front doorbell rings?
Are you thinking, as the guests file in, "Why in the world did I ever agree to this?"
Then this book was written with you in mind. I, too, used to avoid hosting parties. When someone even suggested that we just gather at my house for a drink or to play a board game, I'd find some excuse not to.
So you can imagine my horror when anyone would suggest that I actually host any type of real party.
The mere act of avoidance just became irritating after a while. So when I was volunteered to host a small group of people for an informal get together, I swallowed my pride (and my heart!) and said yes.
And then began the dreaded countdown to the event.
But you know what?
It wasn't nearly as horrendous as I thought it would be. In fact, my guests seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves. So that gave me the courage to do it again.
That was several years ago. And look at me today, ready -- and even eager -- to host one, anytime, anywhere and for any reason.
Why not just try embracing it and going with the moment? It may sound daunting and intimidating now, but once you delve farther into the process of party planning, armed with the proper information, there'll be no party you would fear to host, guaranteed!
Don't get me wrong. Entertaining can indeed be hard work. And developing a bit of "host anxiety" as I've heard it called is a good thing -- it keeps you alert. After all, what professional stage actor doesn't experience a bit of anxiety before he steps in front of an audience?
Don't try to start out large, though. Test the waters -- and your confidence by hosting a small informal gathering. Invite those who know you the best, you'll feel at ease because of it. And the party will flow quite nicely.
How to Use This Book Wisely
This book is filled to the brim with ideas . . . hints . . . suggestions for creating a party in which your friends will feel at ease, have fun and be talking about the "event" for weeks afterward.
My, if the party is truly successful, they'll be questioning when you'll be holding your next one.
Go ahead and dig in. Use this book in any way you believe it'll help you to be a better host . . . throw a thoroughly enjoyable party where all the guests have a great time . . . and you, too, feel at ease enough to enjoy yourself.
To that end, you may want to read the entire book once. Then depending on your questions or type of party you're hosting, return to various parts of the eBook as you plan.
This book covers just about every aspect of party planning one could imagine. Chapter 1 starts out by asking that age-old philosophical question: Why party?
The subtext to that question: For what purpose are you creating this gathering? Answer that question and much of your party plans take a natural course of their own, as you'll soon see.
Chapter 2 delves into the step-by-step detailed planning that absolutely necessary to make your party successful and . . . well, ironically enough, effortless. If you plan sufficiently ahead of time, you'll look as if you pulled it all together with a mere wiggle of your nose.
Follow these great suggestions and time lines and you'll be assured that your guests will have a great time!
Common questions many would-be hosts ask me deal with food. What's best to serve? How much to serve? How do I serve. Or the question I love: "Look at these two forks! They're different sizes! When do you use one or the other?"
To discover the ins and outs of feeding your guests, turn to Chapter 3. I'll not only tell you how much food to plan (neatly outlined in a table in an appendix in the back of the book), but I'll even give you tips on how to serve your guests.
Follow these directions and your guests will never ever believe that at the beginning of the planning process you ever doubted yourself!
Once you have a handle on the nuts and bolts of party planning, you need to give some thought -- even before the party begins -- on what it takes to be a good host. Yes, it's more than just laying out a great spread or bringing a good group of people together.
To discover what it takes to be a good host, just turn to Chapter 4. You'll learn that your duties as host begin even before the first guest steps through that door. But don't worry, once you learn the basics -- which are easy to handle -- you'll walk into the job like it was created just for you. Guaranteed.
Part of the very important duties of host is making sure that the party keeps moving. Every party needs a flow and as host it's your job to supply it. Just check out Chapter 5 to discover how to keep any party from getting stuck in one room or revolving around one (usually boring) person!
Well, just when you think we've covered all the aspects of The Perfect Party, we've added one more element: Party planning on a budget.
If you want to throw a fabulous party, but think that it's beyond your budgetary constraints, Chapter 6 will absolutely change your mind. Check it out to discover how you can make your guests feel like a million bucks without spending a fortune.
And finally, the last chapter gives you some creative ideas about throwing a "theme" party. These parties -- which can be some of the most memorable your guests will ever attend -- can be easily (and many times quite economically) created. You have to review these. Feel free to use any of these ideas. Or perhaps these suggestions will get you thinking in even more creative directions.
But, that's not all that's in this book. I've included two "must-read" appendices. The first is really a "must-use" appendix. It provides you with a pre-party planning check list to keep you right on track from the moment of creation till the time that first guest walks through that door.
The second appendix is a food calculator. Now, you don't have to guess about the amount of food you need to buy for your party. This chart at least gives you a ballpark figure to work with!
Now, what are you waiting for? It's time to plan a party -- with flair!
Chapter 1:
Why Party?
W
hy party? Well, to have a good time, of course! That, indeed, is the stereotypical "frat boy" approach to partying. But, that's not the real question being asked here. The real question goes just a little bit deeper than that. What is the purpose of your gathering?
Is it to celebrate someone's birthday? Commemorate an anniversary? Mark a significant milestone? Or perhaps it's just to bring your closest friends together?
You get the idea. Why you're throwing the party will inevitably help shape and structure it as well.
Unique, yet the same.
That's the mantra you need to keep in mind as you plan this event. Perhaps you've been tasked with hosting a small event commemorating the retirement of one of your colleagues. Why did they ask you? They choose you because someone recalled that great small gathering you held at your house several months ago.
That's fine you think. But a small gathering of close friends is easy to plan. A retirement party? That's a bit different.
Yes and no. Obviously, no two parties are alike -- each with its distinct purpose and direction. But when you scratch the surface of a party they all have elements that are the same.
A cocktail party usually has this Yoda-like advice stuck to it: small enough so everyone can sit or large enough to those standing don't feel awkward.
And depending on where you're hosting the event, that's about as specific as anyone can get. But most "event planners" will go one step further and help to decipher the mathematical algorithm behind the sage advice.
For a cocktail party where you'll have people sitting and standing around mingling, professional event planners tell us to allow four to five square feet per person. When counting your space, don't count the total space in a room. Only your available space. You just can't include room used by large pieces of furniture that can't be moved.
Since it is a "cocktail" party, you'll obviously need to set up a bar. You can easily use a table for this -- with a nice tablecloth on top. It goes without saying you'll also need a nice variety of liquor, wine beer and yes, even nonalcoholic drinks.
Not only will you need these to use as mixers with the liquor, but you need to consider what any guests who don't drink alcohol -- or those designated drivers -- may be drinking.
You'll also want to be well stocked in ice as well as appropriate glassware and a few essential bar tools. Later on, I show you a quick and easy method for determining just how much alcohol you'll need for your party. It's really simple, I promise!
Cocktail parties usually last for about two hours. Most of them start either at 5 or 6 p.m.
The Dinner Party
Ah yes, the dreaded dinner party! This type of event can send chills down the spine of even the most experienced of party planner. But you needn't approach it with such trepidation. You'll discover that it can be a wonderful vehicle for people to get to know each other -- and enjoy, hopefully, some very good food in the process.
Are you cooking and serving this party yourself? Then you should seriously consider limiting your guest list to 10 individuals --- no more. If you invite any more guests than ten, then you need to re-evaluate your options. You either need to turn the "dinner party" into a buffet, or hire a caterer to cook and serve for you.
You don't want to add any more stress than necessary to your planning. After all, the day of the party, the time of the party, you want to have a good time too! Remember, and if you're having a good time, this reflects in your guests ability to enjoy themselves as well.
The Buffet
If you're contemplating a long guest list and you want to serve food at your party, then consider hosting a buffet. Much of the preparation can be done in advance. Not only that, but the food service aspect of the buffet is less "labor intensive" than for the average sit down meal.
The only area you must be careful to ensure: Every guest has a place to sit while eating.
The requirements for this type of party are relatively easy as well. All you need is wine and beer as well as nonalcoholic beverages. If you want, you may serve cocktails, but with the buffet style, they're not expected or necessary.
You will also need hot plates or chafing dishes if you're going to serve hot food, as well as professional help to staff them.
You'll also need a sufficient quantity of serving platters, plates, silverware as well as glassware for all of your guests, as well as a large table for the food and a smaller table for drinks.
This kind of party can work when held at any time during the day. You can host a brunch, lunch or a dinner in buffet style. No matter what time you plan your party, you should allot approximately three hours for it.
This type of party is especially good for a holiday or a housewarming open house party. In each of these, you can assume the flow of guests will be staggered. So feel free to invite more people than you would for a traditional buffet.
Oh, I see! There's no expressed special purpose for this party. You're really not celebrating anyone's birthday . . . not commemorating an anniversary . . . not even a housewarming or a going away party.
You merely want to throw a party for the sake of having a few friends over to have a good time. Good for you! But, you're not quite sure where to start. Actually, you say, that's an understatement. You're at a complete loss.
What type of party would
you feel comfortable hosting?
Not to worry! I've got you covered. Let's start with picking your brain a little and see what you' ve liked and disliked at past parties. Because this is your chance to create the party of your dreams (and hopefully your guests as well).
Today, just about anything goes when it comes to themed parties. Of course, you'll still find yourself to some extent asking all the previous questions: am I serving food? How much and what kind of serving plan, a sit-down dinner or a buffet?
But, the ultimate question is what type of party do you think you'd be most comfortable hosting. If the thought of throwing 8 of your closest friends together at one table for any period of time send you running for cover . . . perhaps the sit-down dinner isn't a good choice.
If, on the other hand, you love to cook and wouldn't mind a few more guests -- as long as they don't mind serving themselves -- then the buffet style is more to your suiting.
Choosing a theme
Now you get to pick your theme. And if you can conceive it, you can probably carry it out. Yeah, it's a lot like in that movie, Field of Dreams: "If you build it, they will come!"