Tip of the Week
Look here each Monday for a new tip to make entertaining a snap.
When Time's Up!
If you're like the typical hostess, you have a tendency to plan to do much more for your party than time allows. You've set an ambitious agenda for yourself from baking, to cooking, to decorating, to making personalized party favors. But stuff comes up, and things are not completed on schedule. Then you find yourself dead on your feet, late at night, the day before your party, wondering how you can possibly finish everything and still manage to catch a few hours of sleep.
That's the moment you need to decide that time is up. Get yourself a good night's sleep so that you can actually enjoy your party (that was the point of hosting one, right?) When you wake up rested and refreshed you can ponder your options.
- Which items on your list can be dropped without anyone knowing the difference? Will they really miss a personalized party favor? Do you need to bake that second dessert?
- Which items can you purchase from the store? You didn't get around to preparing the cheesecake? Head to your best local bakery and pick up an alternative dessert. You never finished your centerpiece? Just purchase a nice arrangement from your local florist.
- Do you have any friends who are coming to the party that you can ask to make or pick up something for you on the way to your house?
After you make your decisions, just let it go. There's no point in stressing over what you couldn't do, nor should you point out to your guests, with apologies, the things that you had intended to accomplish. Most likely they won't notice, anyway. Instead, make the most of what you have done and enjoy yourself.
Do you have a favorite entertaining tip? Send it to us using our simple submission form. If selected, I will post it with your name in future weeks.
