COUNTDOWN TO A FABULOUS PARTY
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Get
organized. Tackle the preparation bit by bit, rather than leaving everything for
one interminable planning marathon. Make lists
of everything you need to buy and do. Refer to them often and cross them off as you
go. Create
an interesting guest list. Try to mix groups of friends and introduce new people. Choose
the menu. Keep it simple, but tasteful. (See our strategies in "Getting Started"
for effortless, elegant menu tips.) Decide what you’ll serve and how many courses.
Don’t forget wines and desserts. Determine what ingredients you will need to buy
and where. Figure our how much time will you need to prepare. Use Post-It
notes to remind yourself of where each dish will go. Label plates and serving dishes
for each course to avoid last-minute confusion. Plan your
table setting. Decide on which china and linens to use. Make notes on what colors
and types of flowers and other decorative items to buy. Set the table as far in advance
as possible. Clean and polish your serving pieces a day or two before the party Aim to
have the table set and all your slicing, dicing, washing, and peeling done several
hours before guests arrive. Map our
the timing. Perfect timing is the key to a successful party; letting certain parts
drag and rushing others can ruin the evening. Schedule when guests will arrive, when
the cocktail hour will start, and when dinner will be served. Keep in mind that 45
minutes to an hour is perfect for cocktails before dinner. |
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Create
a flow for cocktail parties. I like to design small vignettes— self-contained areas
where food will be placed along with appropriate beverages. This creates an easy
flow of traffic with multiple conversation areas. It also prevents your guests from
having to wait in line or hover around a single buffet table. Confirm
takeout/delivery orders. If you plan to order part of the food, find reliable sources
and confirm precisely when dishes will be collected or delivered. Place cards
are a must for parties of more than eight guests. They avoid confusion and allow
you to balance the energy and dynamics of the table. Separating spouses also makes
for more free and lively conversation. Try to
leave nothing to do the day of the party aside from setting food out and handling
last-minute details. Ideally, you won’t have to leave the house that day; you’ll
just enjoy putting everything together. Set a deadline
of an hour before the party to get everything ready. Use the next 40 minutes or so
to take a bath and get yourself ready at a leisurely pace. Use the 20 minutes before
your guests arrive to put out ice, add any finishing touches to the table, and set
out the appetizers. Light the candles, adjust the lights, turn on the music, open
the wine, pour yourself a cocktail, and then take a few moments to glance over the
rooms and make sure everything is in place.
back to: Colin Cowie Lifestyle Background
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