I couldnʼt agree more. We are always running around, juggling our busy lives. Everyone has their challenges, their ups and downs. With all that is going on here in my world I started talking about having a get together in early December for Hannukah. My darling husband expressed how maybe a party is a bit much to add to our plate. He is definitely right in this case, but he knows how wonderful it is to have everyone together. With some cajolery, he agreed that it would enjoyable to have our family over, but Iʼm not allowed to do anything but delegate.
Last week I threw a lovely dinner party. It was not perfect in decor, but the food was good, the company was great and the clean up was manageable. I have always enjoyed having friends and family over no matter what the occasion - holidays, birthdays or for a sports event on Television. Iʼm not one to make things fancy. My bluprint for a perfect dinner party has always been to serve yummy food and make my guests feel at home.
This week we spoke with Dawn Sandameno and Elizabeth Mascali from the successful Partybluprint blog. These women have developed the perfect bluprint for hosting a perfect party. Their newly published book "Plan To Party", is available in stores and I was honored to be able to take a sneak peak at what I think is not only a very informative and helpful book, but a visually stunning coffee table like book filled with inspiring photos. I truly enjoyed chatting with these women and although I pride myself as a seasoned host, I did pick up some great gems during this weeks radio show.
Give a Good Thought About Time and Date - The most important gem for having a successful and fun party is to make sure the date and time work best for you. The host sets the tone and if the date and time are not good you, it will not be stress free party. If December is very busy and hectic, then donʼt throw a holiday party. Wait until after the New Year and call it a “one more for the road” holiday party.
One idea is to have a breakfast get together instead of a lunch or dinner get together. Over the last couple of years, I find coordinating a good family get together can be difficult when both families have children of all ages. Some nap early, my kids napped later and so I started inviting people over for a breakfast get together. The menu ideas are endless but, I usually serve bagels with all the fixings and homemade Belgium waffles with maple syrup and fresh fruit to put on top. We put up a large pot of coffee or a batch of mimosas and hang out until noon. This time slot works well, the kids play great and the parents get to relax and hang out. The best part is my family still has a whole day left to do errands or some activity after our guests leave.
Donʼt Worry About the People Who Cannot Be There, Enjoy the People Who are There - It is important for the host to enjoy themselves as much as their guests. Make sure you spend time with your guests and immerse your self in the party. Having a good plan before the event allows you to follow a schedule and time line of what needs to be done so that by the time the door bell rings with guests, you have taken the time to get dressed and be ready to socialize. If someone cannot make it to the special day, donʼt worry about it and look forward to the folks who are coming!
Start Small, Go Slow - If you have never hosted a home party, start small. Perhaps having a twenty person sit down dinner is not a good idea for the first time. A small dinner party usually ranges between 2-4 guests. If you want to have more people over feel free to make it a pot luck this way you are not overwhelmed with too much preparation. Another way to entertain on an easier note is to do just cocktails and wine with some cheese and fruit platters or some heat and serve appetizers from your supermarket.
When People Ask What To Bring...Tell Them What To Bring - Guests are happy and honored to be part of your party. If your guests ask you what can they to bring, itʼs because A) They want to bring something you would like, and B) They donʼt know what to bring. Guests are happy to contribute and if you offer suggestions, you will enjoy serving their host gift, as opposed to leaving the Jello mold with suspended canned fruit cocktail in the fridge. (Not that there is anything wrong with a Jello mold dessert)
Put MISTAKE or FORGOT on your party plan check list - Cynthia and I were talking about this weeks Radio show and how both our moms have earned the reputation of doing a great dinner party but something always gets forgotten or something goes wrong. In our family my mom always leaves something in the microwave and usually we find it during clean up. In Cynthia's it's usually the intermezzo that goes MIA.
I remember my wedding day. This was an event I had spent fifteen months planning. I had made sure to cover every detail between the catering hall and the hotel that our out of town guests stayed at. I was on the party bus with friends and family and just before we headed over the bridge to the wedding when I realized I left my bridal bouquet on the hotel lobby front desk counter. At first I was panicked and upset, but after a couple of minutes of contemplation, I called the hotel. I spoke with the manager and they called a taxi to pick up my flowers to bring them to the hall. I stood up with a big smile and said “I knew something had to go wrong, and it did. So I can check that off my to do list and go get married!”
Anything is Game - generations ago there was only one way to entertain, but now anything works. If you love chocolate better then cheese then have your cocktail party after dinner and have guests dine on chocolates and dessert wines. I am a big fan of buffet style. Itʼs a lot more work to set a huge beautiful table and with young children around, using my fine china is a big stress so I donʼt go there. I put utensils in a basket and a stack of plates on the side and then spread out all the fixings across a big table. My guests can fill their plates and then find a seat. Itʼs very informal, but I prefer that casual ambiance.
Anything will work as long as you have a plan.
Elizabeth Mascali said it best. “Well-hosted parties give people a chance to slow down, reconnect, and create memories that add grace, beauty, and humor to our lives. A good party never ends. The memories last a lifetime—and longer.”
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