Use This Pre-Party Checklist to Be More Organized and Less Stressed

On the day I'm giving a party, I do all I can to relieve my preparation anxiety. What helps most is my checklist. You may already do all these things, but it's nice to have a list so you remember the details. 

Plan where the dog will go

I don't know about your pets, but my beagle is not a welcome guest when I entertain. Even if it's just a few close friends for dinner, Casey melts into the rug beneath the dining room table pretending he's not the least bit interested. Then, the second someone goes to get something, he bounds up and grabs chicken from the unguarded plate.

So when I'm entertaining on a larger scale, I put his crate as far away as possible from the festivities, where he stays till the party is over and all food is cleared from his reach.

Set a mood with lights

I turn on lamps, whose glow I find to be warmer than overhead lighting. I also turn on outdoor lights, even in winter. Rather than just darkness beyond the windows, it's nice to see a bit of greenery.

Light Candles

Candles, of course, add to a warm ambience. I light cylindrical or seasonal candles on the mantle and put votives on the buffet table. For a little extra pizzazz, try paritally filling a glass hurricane lamp (make sure it's safe for a flame) with walnuts or other nuts in their shells. Use this to secure a cylindrical candle that you wedge inside. When lit, this can make a lovely centerpiece. 

Adjust the heat

Remember to lower the thermostat a few degrees; when your home fills with people it will naturally become warmer. 

Have fireplace ready to light

Even synthetic logs used to challenge me, so I now have a gas fireplace. Keeping the fireplace on the list simply reminds me to turn it on before guests arrive.

Clean up after negligent pet owners

I won't go into detail about the time I failed to clean up after the dogs of inconsiderate neighbors. Ever since then, I take a few plastic bags and go up and down the block looking for anything foul on the grass strip along the curb, which I then pick up to avoid having anyone step in it.

Spray air freshener

I don't care for sweet smells, so I plan to try Febreze Set & Refresh Kit, which I read about in Leah Ingram's recent, informative article, "Options for Odor Elimination."

Unlock front door, if appropriate

Unlocking the door helps in case you don't hear the bell. That said, I've heard about dinner parties where intruders broke in and made people strip and hand over their watches. Wouldn't that be an affair to remember?

Put hangers on coat rack

I have a coat rack only because the previous owner of my house left it there. It comes in wonderfully handy when I'm expecting a crowd. Generally I put it in the upstairs hallway.

Lower phone ringers

I lower the ringer and put the phone in the kitchen, especially if someone is there helping out. This way any guests who need to reach me, because they are lost or for some other reason, can get through without the ring being disruptive.

Tidy up yard or deck

Even in the wintertime, I like how it looks after I put cushions on outdoor chairs before guests arrive. It's also nice to be sure there is a fresh plant on the front stoop.

Make or buy ice

Ice often escapes my radar, though I try to remember a few days ahead of time to make extra ice, which I store in plastic zipper bags. If I forget, then my checklist reminds me to run out on party day or ask a friend to pick up some ice on the way to my house.

Plan introductions

I like to review my list and make mental notes of whom to introduce to whom. I look for good matches, for instance, introducing a writer friend to an agent friend, if I had an agent friend.

Allow time for a relaxing bath

Okay, this never happens, but if it ever did, the fantasy includes a small glass of wine on the ledge of the tub. Nonetheless, I keep bath on the list, hoping it will help me organize my time and at least be dressed before the first guest arrives.

Consult notes from previous parties

After the party I write down for my files what went well and what didn't in addition to what food and/or beverage I had too much of or too little of. Then, before my next party, I consult these notes.

What do you do to be more organized and less stressed on party day?

Here are links to my other entertaining-related articles:

EASY, ECONOMICAL, CROWD-PLEASING PASTA

DELIGHT YOUR GUESTS WITH MY MOM'S PARTY GAMES