From small dinner parties to big-time shindigs, Entertaining For Dummies shows you how to impress and pamper your guests no matter what the occasion. It’s full of fresh, creative ideas and proven tips for creating an unforgettable experience — at your daughter’s sweet sixteen birthday party, a fancy dinner in honor of your boss, or any other get-together. Whether you’re a homemaker in need of creative ideas for your next big party, or a busy professional who needs to impress the boss without spending a bundle, Entertaining For Dummies covers all the bases — from planning, to decorating, to cooking, to hosting. Regardless of the size of the event or its purpose, you’ll find helpful tips on these topics and more: Planning large or small events - Designing distinctive invitations and a balanced menu - Creating a comfortable atmosphere in any space - Making your guests feel welcome - Hosting a business gathering in your home - Treating the family to special events like picnics, birthday parties, and Sunday dinners - Hosting theme events like costume parties Renowned entertaining speaker Suzanne Williamson offers all the expert advice you need to make every event a success — from black-tie parties to backyard barbecues. She’ll give you all the tools and tips you need to get organized and get your party off the ground. Whether you’re entertaining for a dozen or a thousand, you’ll find everything you need right here: Organize a last-minute party - Use your imagination to create a unique atmosphere - Drinks—from cocktails to coffee - Table settings and food presentation - Hire a disc jockey or band - Cope with accidents, emergencies, and unplanned occurrences - Entertain during the holidays - Parties for children from tots to teens - Entertain for business associates or government officials - Solutions for common cooking disasters If you want step-by-step help on getting your party off the ground, or just a reliable reference for trouble-shooting those unforeseen emergencies, Entertaining For Dummies is the only book you need. It’s full of creative ideas that making throwing your next party a blast — and a breeze. At last! An antidote to Martha Stewart. Entertaining for Dummies is a book for the rest of us--a no-nonsense guide to planning and executing every kind of social gathering from a picnic to a formal holiday dinner. The book is divided into five parts; in the first, you'll get plenty of useful tips on planning parties, from making guest lists and planning seating arrangements to arranging the furniture for maximum comfort. Part 2 helps you plan your menu, while Part 3 offers suggestions on how to make a great impression on your guests. This is the chapter to come to if you're wondering just how to set the table or whether it's proper to eat asparagus with your hands. In Part 4, Entertaining for Dummies demonstrates that even ordinary occasions, such as the evening meal, can be social events, then segues into discussions of holiday parties, children's parties, and business entertaining. The last section is "the fun part" in which lots more menus are offered up along with some cooking tips and lots of great once-in-a-lifetime party ideas, such as a "Journey to Ancient Egypt" or a western-style harvest moon celebration. Entertaining for Dummies tells you everything you need to know to make every social gathering a roaring success. "If you cannot entertain after reading this book, it is possible that you are hopeless and shall be condemned to wandering the earth alone forever." — Pat Conroy, Bestselling Novelist "A clear, concise road map to the art of successful and fun entertaining … invaluable." — Bob Woodrum, Managing Director, Kom-Ferry International "Grab is, read it, study it, and do what the authors suggest, and you will reap dividends you never dreamed possible." — Ida Crawford Stewart, Former Vice President of, and Personal Assistant to, Estée Lauder Filled with Practical, Easy-to-Follow Advice for Planning Fabulous Parties! Do you want to throw a holiday cocktail party next year but don't know where to start? Would you like to entertain the office crowd but you're not sure what kind of food to serve? Or do you just need some tips on making small talk? Don't stress! Let Entertaining For Dummies ™ bring fresh ideas to your social gatherings! Whether you'd like to host your daughter's sweet sixteen birthday party or invite your boss over for dinner, this handy reference will help you achieve entertaining success time and time again! Inside, you'll discover how to: Plan and execute any event from holiday parties to family picnics to elegant black-tie dinners - Put together a fabulous guest list and send distinctive invitations - Design a balanced menu — regardless of whether you love to cook, hate to cook, or don't have time to cook - Create a warm and comfortable atmosphere in any space - Make your guests feel welcome and comfortable from the moment they walk in the door - Boost your care