Plan The Perfect Party What better way to be a big hit with your friends, than to cook up a few mouth-watering delicacies and serving them with a flourish? Having people over for dinner or throwing a small, intimate party is the time-honoured, affordable, and enjoyable way to entertain friends or acquaintances and to meet and befriend many new like-minded people.But hosting a dinner party does not mean you have to slog in the kitchen for hours and then be too tired ti have fun at all.So, if you are planning a birthday party for your child, or inviting friends for dinner, a bit of planning can actually save you time and effort, without compromising on the fun.Here are a few suggestions to help plan a truly memorable party. Pre-Party Planning:
1.Pick A Suitable Date: Choose an appropriate date for your party.Always give your guests and yourself enough time to plan and prepare for this event.To make it convenient for your guests, prefer a weekend party, so that the guests are most likely to attend. 2.Set A Budget For The Party: Set a budget for yourself and then stick to it.This is probably the hardest, yet most important aspect.Always keep budget in mind when planning the menu and choosing the theme. 3.Make A Guest List: Make a guest list.Make sure you invite some people who already know each other and some new faces, so that people can meet and make new friends. 4.Choose A Theme For Your Party: Theme parties can be fun and will make your party unique.An unusual idea can create loads of fun, if you spend a little time preparing.So consider trying one of these ideas or think up an unusual idea all your own.Here are a few suggestions:
a.If you are planning a birthday bash for your child, consider hiring a magician, clowns and jugglers to add a touch of excitement to the party.
b.If you are planning a party for adults, consider hiring a palm reader, a handwriting reader or a live band to keep the guests entertained.
c.You can plan a special theme for the menu, like a Thai Or French food theme, where the food anmd decor will represent the chosen country.
d.Throw a potluck party: A potluck party is one where everyone brings along one dish, that everyone then shares and enjoys.This is easy on the pocket for the host and works well if there is no occasion in particular to celebrate, but friends just want to get together. 5.Make A List Of The Required Equipment: Make a list of all the things you will need to make your party a big success.Take into account all the crockery, glassware, tables and chairs, that you will need for the guests.Always keep your budget in mind when planning the equipment list. 6.Take Note Of The Weather: If you are planning an outdoor party, keep in mind that it may rain.In any case, make sure you have a contingency plan to move the festivities indoors, if it does rain during your patio or barbecue party. 7.Plan The Menu: Food can make or mar the party.So, plan the menu with care.Keep in mind the preference of your guests, especially remember to make provisions for your vegetarian guests.If you are planning to do the cooking, prefer recipes that are simple to make and easy to reheat. 8.Decide On The Refreshments: Refreshments are one of the biggest expenses to consider, especially if you are planning a cocktail party or are planning to serve hard liquor. 9.Choose The Music Beforehand: A party isnt a party if you dont have the right music.Music sets the mood and the tempo of your party, so choose it with care.Pick the music in advance, whether you are going to play background or dance music.Music can make a simple party a great one, so choose wisely. 10.Always Plan For Emergencies: Its always wise to be cautious.So keep a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and the doctors telephone number handy. Some other ingredients for a successful party are:
a.Send out invitations well in advance.Do not wait till the last minute to invite the guests, even if you are inviting close friends.Your guests may have other engagements and migh not be free on that day.In that case, you will have enough time to invite other people.
b.Always request guests to confirm thier acceptance, either by telephone or by other means.This way you will know exactly how many people to expect.
c.Be prepared for more guests than you invited.Your guests may show up with some other friends or relatives and you would'nt want to be unprepared. ********************************************* More | 
