Kimberly Kennedy, author of The Art and Craft of Entertaining (Atria Books), and Denise Vivaldo, author of Do It for Less! Parties (Terrace Publishing) share ideas for the perfect party.
Write it down
The ultimate lifesaver of every party I've ever given - my party planning journal. Designate a notebook just for your parties. Throughout the year jot down ideas, cut out pictures, paste in recipes, etc. And then keep a log for each event detailing the date, guest list, table style, menu, music and favours. Afterward, record your impressions of the party: memorable conversations, culinary successes and disasters, feedback, etc. This reportage makes for great reading in years to come and will also inspire you to do more entertaining.
Get techno with invites
Save money by bypassing printed invites. I'm talking invitations by email-everyone is doing it and no one takes offense (if your guests have email). Check out the free invitation site Evite.com. It allows you to track your RSVPs as well as log comments from invitees. Sendomatic.com is another online invite site with fun images you can use. Or use our own Glade® e-card to invite your friends to your party!
Be RSVP-insistent
You'll save money just by pinpointing in advance exactly how many guests are coming to your party. Nothing drains your party budget faster than overbuying food and favours for guests who do not show up.
Become your own florist
Put flowers everywhere - in the entranceway, at the bar, on the coffee table, on the buffet - but they don't have to be expensive. Save money by making your own arrangements or enlist a small potted plant, which you might already own, as a centrepiece. Experiment with a sunken flower look or create a "wildflower meadow" in an egg basket for your entranceway. For simple bathroom flair, float one or two beautiful blossoms in a small glass bowl.
Light like a pro
Consider the needs of your event. Try experimenting with coloured lighting: both pink and yellow bulbs cast warm, soothing glows. For simple spring evening dinner parties, go all out with candles. I love to tie in my choice of scent with the theme of a party. For instance, for a sit-down dinner party, I like to place a Glade® 2 in 1 Blending Candle on the mantel. Check out the Glade® Scent Bar for the perfect scents for your party.
Gather the MP3 players
Don't waste money on a DJ. Ask your guests with MP3 players to program them with their favourite party music and provide a hookup to your speakers. Inform each participating guest in advance of your party's theme, or suggest different musical moods to explore throughout the party: for example, laid-back, upbeat, romantic, etc.
Simplify your hors d'oeuvres
Appetizers are just predinner munchies, and they don't need to be expensive or difficult to make. Try making an olive tapenade, or spread store-bought tapenade on your favourite cracker or matzo. Buy prepared crudités (fresh vegetables) at your grocery store and rearrange them in your own shallow bowl-try standing them upright with a cup of white bean dip or hummus in the centre.
Garnish like a chef
One rule: garnishes must be edible! Decorate plates with edible pansies, roses, lavender, nasturtium or chive blossoms. Make sure you buy from the produce department of your grocery store, or use only organically grown flowers. (Florist flowers are sprayed with pesticides so never eat them!) Parsley is another garnish that gives life to mashed potatoes, stews and chops.
Be disaster-ready
It's all about having backups. If your special appetizer burns, pull out cheese and crackers. Pasta made in a second can replace burned entrées. If a cake fails, packaged cookies or sliced fruit can substitute beautifully. Never be caught unprepared.
Smart leftovers
When the food is great, people love to take leftovers home. Make sure you're ready with a full stock of Ziploc® Brand Containers. Or keep the leftovers for your own meals!
Old wine, new trick
Save dollars on pricey condiments by turning leftover wine into a tasty sauce! Pour half-empty bottles of wine into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until the wine reduces by three quarters. Most of the alcohol will be boiled out, and the flavour will be intensified. Cool, pour into ice cube trays and place in the freezer. When fully frozen, store in a Ziploc® brand Double Guard® Freezer Bag for future use. Reduced wine adds lovely depth to sauces, gravies, soups and dessert syrups.