Tips for a Perfect Party

I recently went to a party, which had the most lovely food, nice venue, but the host and hostess were so stressed that it we fled the venue as soon as possible. On our way home, we stopped at a restaurant, had a couple of drinks and for us that was more enjoyable than the perfect arrangement our hosts had so painstakingly made.

I love to entertain at home, I love to cook and feed people. When they ring up the next day and tell me how much they enjoyed the party, it is sheer bliss. Here are a few simple tips on how to throw a great party and enjoy it yourself. A little planning goes a long way in making a party memorable.

Decide a date and time. I have always preferred a Saturday dinner or a Sunday brunch. Sunday dinner is never a good idea with me since I have to work on Monday. It leaves me too tired and stressed. It is no fun if I can not enjoy my own party.

Decide on the guest list well in advance. I normally decide this on the basis of inviting people who get along well with each other or share a similar interest. Other members of the family also suggest people they want to invite. And then we edit the list based on our budget and the space at home.

Once the list is settled, we get down to the business of inviting. Its not an art, you know, but I do try to ensure that every one invited shows up. There is nothing more disappointing than making all the effort and the guests don't show up. I use E-mail, phone, tweet - everything to ensure that the people I invite are there for the party. Oh yes, I start issuing invitations a week before the event. In case someone has other plans, I can invite someone else.

Plan the menu. Decide on an interesting menu which is not too expensive or laborious to make. I also avoid last minute cooking. When the guests are at home, things can be reheated and served without too much effort. Ask your guests what they like to drink. It is better than stocking a whole lot of whisky and finding that they prefer wine.

Flowers and candles are the simplest and cheapest way to transform a place. I am a big fan of flowers and scented candles. They add colour and warmth and set the mood for a great party.

Have a great selection of music your guests like, and have it playing softly in the background. Parties run on conversation and laughter. Loud blaring music kills the ambience.

A day before the party, check if you have enough cutlery, bowls, plates, glasses. Organize the flowers. Stack enough ice trays. If cooking, get the ingredients. If you are ordering, get the menu ready.

Some important things without which a party fizzles out are napkins, ice, wine opener and a couple of large dustbins. Stock plenty of these items. I am not kidding about the dustbins. There is no bigger eye-sore than seeing a used napkins, cigarette stubs, beer and soda cans spilling out of a small dustbin on to the kitchen floor.

Designate one bathroom for the guests. Ensure that it is clean and presentable. It is one place that is used the most in a party. Ensure that there is a small dustbin, clean towel, soap, extra toilet roll, a full box of tissues readily available for the guests. Decorating the bathroom with scented candles and flowers add a touch of warmth and beauty.

If you have small children at home, or want to keep your home smoke free, earmark a place where smoking is permissible, place some chairs and a few ashtrays in that corner. I hate ash being flicked into my plants and the grass, and my smoker's corner is on the terrace. So I keep a lot of ashtrays in the terrace.

Lock up the cupboards in the rooms, spruce the place up, dress up and get ready to enjoy your own party. Dress up well, but comfortably. As a host, you will have to look after refills, rinse out glasses when you run out of fresh ones, bend to pick up something from the floor and generally be on your feet.

Don't get stressed up over the guests. Show them where the food, the microwave and the bar are. Let them look after themselves. Enjoy their company.

Delegate work. Even young children can be involved. They can pass the snacks, get more ice, pick up used napkins from the floor.

Once the party is over, stack all the dishes in the sink, put the left over food in the fridge and hit the sack. The rest of the cleaning up can be done the next day. Oh, don't forget to message your guests the next day, thanking them for coming to your party.