What's it take to be a hot holiday hostess? World-class party experts give us the insider scoop!
Pagination
- 1
- 2
Hostess' top 5 to-do list
1 Send invites
Formal or funky, custom-made or computer-generated (evite.com</a>), your invite must include your name; the time, date, address; the kind of party it is; and an RSVP number or card. Definitely mention a special theme, but etiquette expert Kate Spade says indicating style of dress is optional.
2 Get advice
There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Find inspiration in Kate Spade's books Occasions and Style; Rena Kirdar Sindi's Be My Guest; Nan Kempner's R.S.V.P.; Allana Baroni's Flirtini: clever ideas for top-shelf cocktail parties; and Fête Accompli! The Ultimate Guide to Creative Entertaining by Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison.
3 Hire help
First impressions count, so make your space clean and sparkling -- especially the washroom! If necessary, call in the professionals (find your nearest Molly Maid outfit on mollymaid.ca). Scent your home with room sprays or aromatic candles a few hours before guests arrive, so that the smell isn't overpowering. "Personal chefs and college students can be life savers to the busy hostess," says Kate Spade in Occasions. Students at Toronto-based Liaison College earn from $30 an hour serving food and drinks at events. Contact the Canadian Culinary Federation for your nearest culinary college.
4 Find gifts
If you wish to leave your guests with a small memento, don't think you have to break the bank. You can even decorate your table with your gifts (and there won't be that unseemly scrum for gift bags at the end of the night).
5 Countdown!
Make sure you're dressed an hour before your event. And remember that your guests are the real stars of your show. Don't intimidate them by appearing at the door in full gala regalia. If in doubt, choose something classic yet comfortable and accessorize. "Nothing elevates something simple like a necklace of brightly coloured stones or shoes with a lot of lift and sparkle," advises Kate Spade in Style. Now all that's left is to crack open the bubbly and get in the mood to mingle!
Photo courtesy of Le Chateau
Read more in our Living channel
