The success of a good party lies in its planning. There’s many a party that has ended in disaster through lack of planning. If you follow these basic guidelines then there’s a good chance that relations, friends and colleagues will come back for more of the joviality associated with your successful party:-

* Decide upon the number of people to be invited. The outcome of this ‘little’ question has ‘big’ consequences on where the party is to be held – either in an outside venue or in the comfort of your own home.

* If you sent out written invitations, have you received all RSVPs?? Chase up those who haven’t replied. If people were just invited by word of mouth, contact them to see if they are still coming. There is nothing worse than having piles of leftover food (drink is ok!!) that has to be thrown away.

* Plenty of time is the key phrase in the next points:-

Send out invitations in ‘plenty of time’ not just a few days before. This applies to all types of party. How many times have you been invited last-minute to a party when you already have some prior engagement??

If you need outside resources such as some form of entertainment, make that booking in plenty of time. If you leave it until the last minute you may have trouble finding someone who is available.

Decide on the food that is required. Buy perishable foodstuffs at the last convenient moment (but not too late so that it’s all sold out!!) and be sure to defrost items from the freezer in plenty of time.

If you’ve followed these basic rules then the party should go with a swing – unless you got the date wrong in the first place!!