Planners, rentals help party hosts

As the days start to be crossed off and the holidays draw near, you are either dreading the party season or the excitement is building. I admit to the latter; I love the expectation and the planning. I think I actually prefer preparing for a party more than the party itself, and I have to admit that I do hold excellent parties. There is only one criterion for success, whether it's a bash for a group of 6-year-olds or a sit-down dinner for 10 of your best girlfriends. Did everyone, including you, have a fantastic time?

To me, the worst parties are the ones where it looks as if the host has tried far too hard and has been wrestling with the details for weeks. There is often an atmosphere of stress or even fatigue. So how do you put on a memorable party? I am not a professional by any means, but here are my tips and tricks, which you might find handy this season.

If your party is a very special occasion, then you might want to hire a party planner. Traditionally used for weddings, party planners are now becoming as common as having a decorator. They can also feel just as intimidating. The key is to find someone you like; someone you won't feel overwhelmed with as he or she barrages you with ideas; and someone whose ideas fit your style and party dreams.

I used a party planner this summer for a big birthday celebration: www.c3events.ca. At first, I actually felt a little guilty. Couldn't I handle this alone? But once I realized the extent of a good planner's talents and contacts, I discovered that he or she can actually save you money, as well as a great deal of stress and time. My biggest concern was where to put everybody. That's when I discovered that you can erect a complete outdoor room, furnished, for a day or a weekend. I was blown away by the outcome.

Planners use rentals, but you don't have to have a sit-down dinner for 300 before you visit a rental store. Party rental stores are in most large towns, and they are pleased to accommodate any size. You can rent half a dozen vases, napkins and a cloth for the table if you're having a small dinner party, and it will cost less than buying new linens. You can rent plants in every size and shape, another budget saver, and more interesting than cut flower arrangements.

Planners will help you bring in the best music for your type of event, and the most important to me -- lighting. If you are putting on your own bash, then take a good hard look at your lighting in each room in which the festivities will be taking place. If there is a range of ages, you might want to keep the lighting fairly bright in one room. The rest should have mood lighting that allows skin tones to glow, but you can still see the food on your fork.

Plan to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible. Nothing makes your guests more uncomfortable than listening to you crashing around in the kitchen while they're all sitting down. Hire a few teenagers to help serve and clear so that you can be part of the party action. And never ever start the dishwasher while guests are still partying -- to me this says it's time to go home -- unless you're ready for them to leave.

Whether you go it alone or hire help, good planning and preparation before your guests arrive will pay off big dividends. Your bash will be the best!

Debbie Travis is a columnist for King Features Syndicate. E-mail questions to her at house2home@debbietravis.com.