You decide on Monday to have a few friends over for a relaxing Friday night at home. Here is a simple party checklist to make your guests feel welcome with minimal work for you.
Three Days Before:
- Call or email friends and invite them over for drinks and sandwiches
- Check your bar: wine, beer, and ingredients for mixed drinks
- Grab a laundry basket and walk through your house; pick up clutter and mess; throw it in the basket; put basket in closet to tackle another day
Two Days Before:
- Restock guest bathroom with toilet paper; give the sink a quick wipe down and scrub your toilet
- Take a feather duster and lightly go over areas guests will see
- Grocery shop: sandwich bread, deli meats, cheese slices, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, chips, dips, crackers, cheese ball, ingredients for cookies or cake, items to replenish bar, napkins, plates, and utensils (if purchasing paper products)
One Day Before:
- Confirm with guests they are coming over
- Wipe down kitchen countertops, empty dish washer, store clutter
- Set up your buffet area: plates, napkins, platters for sandwich bar, bowl for chips, tray for dessert
- Set up your bar: glasses, cocktail napkins, ice, wine chilled, cocktail ingredients
One Hour Before:
- Set food out for sandwich bar and arrange on platters*
- Place condiments on table, with utensils, for serving
- Put chips in bowl
- Put dessert on tray
- Put ice in bucket if needed for bar
- Spray house with a deodorizing freshener
- Light candles (this always makes a home smell clean even when it is not)
- Turn down lights (this camouflages dirt and dust)
- Enjoy your guests!!
*To really make this get-together easy, order your sandwiches and dessert from a local deli. The day of your party pick up the sandwiches. Place everything on your own platters and it will look homemade. Other than setting up your bar, you are set!
Together with you,
Lisa Lou
