Three Weeks Before The Party: Send The Invites(01 of09)
Open Image ModalSure, you can send a text, email or Facebook invite, but if you want the occasion to feel a bit special, take the time to create a stylish online invite or go retro and head out to the postbox. It's a good idea to invite between 8-12 people for a dinner chez vous (space allowing), and to send the invites out three weeks before the party to give guests plenty of time to plan. Ask them to let you know if they can make it or have any dietary restrictions a week before the big 'do (at the latest) and be sure to include the theme (if any), date and time of the event (7pm tends to be a good start time). (credit:Alamy)
Two Weeks Before The Party: Plan The Playlist(02 of09)
Open Image ModalMake sure you're equipped with chairs, table settings and whatever accessories you need for the occasion (candles always look great on a table, and little touches like place cards or ribbon-wrapped napkins add a personal feel). You also want to get the music for the night sorted in advance so you don't need to worry about it. Choose something that complements rather than overwhelms, and keep it simple by choosing a Greatest Hits album of a favourite group or a beloved movie soundtrack. On the day, make sure the music is present, not deafening. (credit:Alamy)
A Week Before The Party: Finalise The Menu(03 of09)
Open Image ModalWhen planning your menu, think about items that pair well together and cater to your guests' dietary needs. Be sure to include canapés and snacks, a couple of cold dishes that you can prepare in advance and a signature dish of yours that you feel comfortable making (and enjoy eating). Don't try cooking something you've never done before - you'll just get stressed - and don't serve only heavy dishes. Also, think of ways to diversify your cooking methods so that you're not wasting time waiting for the oven to free up or letting your chicken get cold while you try to roast potatoes. Use a combination of stovetop, steamer, grill and oven to avoid any issues and do as much as you can beforehand. (credit:Alamy)
A Few Days Before The Party: Get The Food & Clean The House(04 of09)
Open Image ModalIt's a good idea to give your place a thorough clean a few days before the party, and then you can touch up rooms when you have a spare minute in the lead-up to the event and just before the party. Pick up drinks and snacks a week before the party, and stock up on food a few days before (don't leave it until the last minute in case you can't find an ingredient you need on the day). (credit:Alamy)
One To Two Days Before The Party: Get Prepping(05 of09)
Open Image ModalSince so many dishes can be done in advance, it's silly to leave everything to the last minute. Do all of your chopping, peeling, slicing and dicing in advance and put together salad, dressing and dessert (if you're baking). Get flowers a couple of days beforehand as well - they'll look as a centrepiece on your table. (credit:Alamy)
The Day Before The Party: Set The Table & Arrange The Seating(06 of09)
Open Image ModalEncourage new friendships at your party with assigned seating (place yourself in the middle to keep conversation going), which you can plan the day before the party when you set the table and organise the flower arrangements, candles and any other table decor. (credit:Alamy)
The Day Of The Party: Have Plenty Of Snacks & Drinks Ready(07 of09)
Open Image ModalAs long as the hors d'oeuvres keep coming and the drinks keep flowing, your guests will be happy, so plan for cocktails and mingling to last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour before you serve dinner and have them set out for when guests arrive. Some people like to plan out their timetable for the day of the party by working backwards (if your guests are coming at 7pm and you'll be home by 3pm, here's what needs to happen in between). Just don't let the chitchat run over too long - you don't want to serve dinner at 10pm. Easy and tasty canapé ideas include olives, cheese straws, bread sticks and anything wrapped in bacon or Parma ham. (credit:Alamy)
The Night Of The Party: Don't Forget Dessert(08 of09)
Open Image ModalEven if you haven't had time to bake a cake in advance, it's always nice to finish off your meal with something sweet, whether that's berries and cream or something chocolatey and decadent. Don't stress if you can't bake: pick up some yummy-looking cupcakes or pastries and present them on a stylish serving platter or cake stand for a memorable finish to the evening. Serve coffee and tea as well and set up your cups and saucers before the party so you don't need to look for them once guests have arrived. (credit:Alamy)
After The Party: Do The Dishes(09 of09)
Open Image ModalWhile it can be tempting to clean as guests finish up each course, you don't want to spend the whole evening in the kitchen. Leave the dishes until the next day and just relax and enjoy yourself on the night. It is helpful to have a clean dishwasher before the party starts, so run it and empty it a few hours before the soiree begins. (credit:Alamy)