To-dos for ALL TYPES of Adult Parties:

Set up a “party pantry” to help simplify party planning (www.crateandbarrel.com, www.lillianvernon.com, www.target.com)

* Votive candles, tapered candlesticks, birthday candles, matches
* Paper cocktail napkins, paper hand towels
* Trays, coasters, napkin rings, toothpicks, paper doilies
* Cheese serving board/tray
* Small bowls for serving nuts, cheese straws, etc….
* Shot glass for measuring liquor for mixed drinks
* Plastic/metalic buckets for icing down and serving bottled drinks
* Ice Bucket and tongs/scooper
* Flatware holder
* Small glass/silver vases for flowers
* Hot tray, trivets, and extension cords
* Chafing dish and sterno (handy for large parties)
* Party diary to record menus, successes, mistakes

Three to four weeks prior to event:

Print out this to-do list and post in visible place!
Choose theme/reason for party
Select date, time, and place for party
Decide on invitation list
Buy/design invitations or use www.evite.com
Select menu items
Write out grocery list/liquor store list


One week prior:

Go grocery shopping
Cook as many items ahead of time as possible
Choose serving platters/dishes
* Put post-it note on serving dish with menu item indicated
Determine if hot tray and/or trivets are needed
Determine if additional serving tables or card tables for dining are needed
Choose linens and confirm they are clean/ironed
Determine if fresh flowers/plant arrangements are needed
Select music play list/confirm that speaker system is working (www.itunes.com)


Day before:

Clean/tidy rooms
* Fill soap dispensers or put out fresh soap bars
Display fresh flower/plant arrangement
Make sure coasters are available in sitting rooms
Have place available for coats/purses (closet with hangers, bedroom)
Make sure entranceway is clean and free of debris (inside and outside)
Set up mini-bar
* Have glasses set out
* Wine (red and white), wine opener
* Liquor, mixers, bowls for lemons and limes, shot glass
* Beer, soda, water bottles
* Put out ice bucket and tongs
* Put out cocktail napkins
* Remember toothpicks if needed for appetizers
* Refrigerate sodas, white wine, mixers, beer
* Cut up lemons and limes; refrigerate

Day of:

Make sure house is cool (check A.C.)
Check bathrooms for cleanliness

* Put out fresh hand towels (linen and/or paper)
* Make sure soap dispenser is full

Empty dishwasher
Wash and put away as many pots/dishes as possible
Fill ice bucket with ice

Dinner Party
Select tablecloth and napkins
* Make sure they are ironed and ready to use

Select centerpiece (flowers, candles, other)
* Make sure centerpiece does not obscure seeing across the table

Set table
* Use chargers (oversized dinner plates) as a simple way to enhance the appearance of the table

Determine seating arrangement; write-up name cards
Have all the plates stacked up for the various courses
Fill salt shakers/check peppermill
Fill sugar bowl
Set up tray with coffee cups, saucers, creamer
Fill water glasses with ice and water
Fill water pitcher/keep nearby for re-fills
Light candles

Brunch
Usually a full bar is not needed; consider Mimosas and/or Bloody Marys
Offer ice tea (sweet and unsweet) and/or lemonade, orange juice
Borrow/purchase coffee urn
Fill sugar bowl and creamer; have artificial sweetener available


Cocktails
Consider renting stemware if group is over 12
Hire servers and bartender if large number of people invited
Choose food that can be eaten without a knife and fork
Set bar up in easily accessible area
Have cocktail napkins and cocktail plates available; assume 5 per guest


Afternoon Tea/Dessert
Borrow/purchase coffee urn to facilitate coffee making
Have tea pots available for tea making
Consider renting coffee cups/mugs if group is over 12
Fill sugar bowl and creamer; have artificial sweetener available
Borrow/purchase cake/pie servers
Have dessert plates and dessert forks and spoons available