Throwing the perfect party

KAREN WIGHT

‘Tis the season to be social. Here are a few tricks to throwing and

enjoying a great party.

The guest list is the first part of the plan. Mix up the usual

crowd and include friends from different areas of your life. Make

sure you incorporate people with different professions and

backgrounds. This is not the time to be predictable.

Invitations don’t have to be elaborate, but they do set the tone

for the evening. Be specific about attire, time and theme. A clever

invitation that peaks interest is hard to resist, whether it’s formal

or casual.

If you’re not of the breed that makes their own invitations, there

are plenty of clever and classy alternatives. Check out the options

at a stationery store and ask for help. No need to muddle through

this on your own.

Music is a must. Don’t wait until the last minute to make a plan.

Hiring a pianist could be the best investment you make in a party

plan. Live music takes a soiree to the next level. It doesn’t have to

be the guy from Nordstrom’s. There are plenty of talented students

who would love the opportunity to show off and make a little extra

money. If you’re using your own music, set up the list a few days

ahead of time.

Keep the volume level manageable; no one likes to miss a good

conversation. The menu is significant, but don’t make it too

complicated. Even if you hire it out, you want to be able to enjoy

yourself and not worry about when the next course should be served.

Catered is cool, but homemade can be great, too. Just keep it

simple. Don’t try out a new recipe the day of the party. Make a test

batch the week before and work out the glitches before the big day.

Plan your lighting inside and outside. A few luminaries on the

path to the front door are a nice way to greet guests. Inside, bring

out the candles for the tables, buffet, mantles and powder room.

Candlelight is magical. Make sure that you have ample seating. If

that means borrowing or renting chairs, be sure that there is a

comfortable place for everybody to sit.

Glassware and plates don’t have to match. Just have enough to go

around, and a few extra in case the evening takes on a life of its

own. If your party is formal, white linen tablecloths are always

appropriate, but for an informal gathering, you can use table

runners, placemats, confetti and folded napkins to set the tone.

Flowers are a big part of the budget. If you don’t want to invest

in armloads of cut flowers, buy live plants and put them in beautiful

containers. Orchids and topiaries last weeks after the party is over.

Buy loose branches of evergreens for your tabletops, nestle votives

and ornaments in the greens and you have an instant centerpiece.

Goodie bags aren’t just for the kindergarten set. A few cookies or

candies from a family recipe placed in a cellophane bag and tied with

a ribbon are a nice gift for your guests. Or you can save the baking

time by ordering fortune cookies with personalized messages.

The most important part? Relax and have fun. Isn’t that what a

party is all about?

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.