Day 20. The Day of the Party: Don’t Hate This Day!
We’re 2/3 through our 31 Days of Stress-Free Entertaining and I surely hope that this series has brought insight and relief. I’ve really enjoyed writing more in detail about the things that really freak us women out when it comes to entertaining. For example, we should be joyful and excited, rather than afraid of rejection or that people will see our dirt or our flaws, when we have people over for dinner.
The day of the party you must have a plan
– Make a time line, either write it down or have it in your head
– Set the table in advance
– Do the prep work for food ahead of time
– Have a notebook with oven temps and a timeframe when to put food in oven
– Make sure and think about what you are going to wear
– If you need help, give your family a list of chores
It’s so important that you be organized this day and enjoy it! In my early days of entertaining when I didn’t have a plan, I was rushing around doing last minute stuff feeling completely out of control, and I hated this day.
That is when I learned what I could handle, not to pile too much on my plate, not to schedule a whole weekend of dinner parties, to make sure and include my family and not make my family miserable. I have to admit, there are times that I still let things slide until the last minute, and then I want my family to help me out at the last minute. WRONG.
Again, I really think the timeline is important. I use it almost every time I entertain.
Company is coming at 6 … start counting backwards.
5:45 sit down with hubby for a drink or talk
5:15 change your clothes, freshen up, shower if you need to
5:00 aim to be done with everything
4:30 last minute dinner prep
etc…. you get the idea.
How do you feel about the “day of” the dinner party? Do you love it or hate it?
Join the other 31-Day bloggers …
Chatting at the Sky, Nesting Place, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, My First Kitchen, Life With My 3 Boybarians, Remodeling This Life, The Inspired Room
The WINNER of this giveaway is Kim, from Quit Eating Out. She has won the Hip Hostess Sheath or Demi Style new Dinner in Paris apron and a copy of my new book, The Reluctant Entertainer. Congrats, Kim!
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Sandy —
I love that moment when you have put out all the fires and are waiting for the doorbell. I always have a deadline for those things that are truly flexible and depend on whimsy for completion, then a timeline for the rest. So…..I stop expecting the concrete to be finished for the pathway to the cutting garden, because, what in the world does that matter and when I let it go, it’s time to focus on these guests and this party. Then I take care of business and wait for showtime!!!
Linda at A Toile Tale
I don’t “hate” it, but sometimes I do stress a bit if I’ve already had a hectic day. I’m pretty laid back and so are our get togethers, so I just go with the flow. I wouldn’t say I’m a formal entertainer in the least.
Party day is my favorite day cuz by then the only thing left is food prep and I love that part
Just me in my kitchen in my cute Hip Hostess apron with music playing and jsut enjoying the day
Ah ha! Relax before the party begins? That’s where I mess up!
Sandy, I love this series…. I’m hosting a group of new friends (will be 12 of us in all) on Saturday night. And as I begin to get frazzled, :) I think this is such a great suggestion. Plan backwards for the day and be prepared. Thank you again so much for the great giveaway! Have a super night.
I wouldn’t love party day without my binders and my lists! When it is organized, it feels like Christmas Eve the night before…I get so excited!
I make lists too lots and lots of lists, and a time line. I tape it right up on my cupboard.
If my house is under control at the beginning of the day I feel calm. It means that I can focus on the food. But if my house is a mess, then I’m a mess.
I’m really enjoying your tips. I always like to make lists and have a plan. I should make lists in more detail so my timing is better!
I try to be as organized as you are but sometimes it’s just chaos and I’m miserable. Planning is the key…I think I fall off the boat when I try to fit something in around someone elses timetable and not my family’s, and that is necessary if you have people from out of town that you are wanting to honor with a gathering…you have to do it when they are available. I always try to have the kitchen clean and dishwasher empty by the time the first guest arrives, that in itself can make a difference in a great night or a big flop for me;)
I make my list backwards too. :)
I give myself a time frame to say, I must have this done by… and then it somehow happens, I just forget those last 15 minutes to sit down and have a drink! But I swear by the timeline.. it’s so easy when it’s on paper and everyone knows of it.
Hi Sandy! I wanted to let you know that I tried your Apple pie in a jar recipe over the weekend and we love it!! I blogged about it on my blog and then linked back to your original post. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful tips!!
http://ngowhitcombfamily.blogspot.com/2010/10/apple-pie-in-jar.html
I am loving your tips! It is so important to enjoy the party!
Having a plan can make the day of a party so much more enjoyable. Lists, lists, and more lists. Great tips you provide in this post, Sandy!
I LOVE party day! And you’re right–a plan makes ALL the difference! In my early days, I used to be so frustrated on party day with 20 people standing in the kitchen while I tried to figure out what to do next. Finally I figured out how to plan and make sure I’m ready for socializing when everyone arrives. It’s much more relaxing for the guests, as well as for me!
I’m a planner, but still seem to be rushing around at the last minute, so I need to work on my plan so that it actually works!
I always use a time line. Takes a lot of stress off you. I am blessed with a husband who likes to help out in the kitchen. He is an excellent cook and I would be lost without him. This Thanksgiving we will only have my son and family over instead of the extended family. My husband will be recuperating from knee surgery and I’m smart enough to know that I can’t do a BIG dinner without his help.
I’m definitely a planner, and usually have most everything ready, but I would love to be able to get things done even a little sooner so that I have 15 mins. to sit down and relax!