Looking for practical answers on entertaining issues
that make you feel like a party pooper when planning a party?

Truly there is the huge amount of work involved in entertaining. If I could afford to hire a house keeper to clean my house thoroughly the day before the party I might have more of them lol!

Cleaning the house before and after a party can be a real bummer - so host one outside your home. A picnic or tailgate party is the perfect solution. Host a picnic or tailgate party for some friends to spend a few hours enjoying each others' company and the scenery. Below are links to a few posts we did which feature great products for hosting a picnic and make sure to check out our tips for tailgating in style

Tips for Tailgating in Style: https://www.partybluprints.com/Articles.asp?ID=149

Link to Picnic Posts:

http://partybluprintsblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/make-picnics-sizzle-picnic-ideas-no4.html http://partybluprintsblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/picnic-for-two-picnic-idea-no3.html http://partybluprintsblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/serve-up-picnic-food-like-pro-picnic.html http://partybluprintsblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/portable-picnic-cocktails-picnic-idea.html

Here is the grand daddy of all party stoppers (for us) how do you have a grown up, calm and relaxing evening get together that is still kid friendly?

When entertaining families you really need to host 2 parties in 1. Food, beverages and activities need to accommodate all ages. Be realistic: you know kids will not sit through a 5 course dinner party and be creative: try to engage all ages in a theme that unifies kids and adults yet also provides for separate time so guests can enjoy age appropriate activity.

Our "Easy as Pie" Grilled Pizza Party is a perfect example of this. We picked a menu (Pizza) that everyone enjoys, created an activity around it ( make your own pizza competition) so that each guest young or old would be included. Then we added some clever ideas to keep the children busy so the adults could enjoy conversation and a glass of wine after the meal. Tips like separate beverage stations and seating make for an enjoyable day for Moms and Dads as well as the kids!

By the way this Eparty Plan has been road tested on our families and it's a success everytime!

I truly love to entertain, but I have 3 small children and a husband that works very long hours. I feel like planning a party becomes an all consuming job that lasts the entire week before the party. Dragging kids in and out of stores, keeping them out of the kitchen while I cook, cleaning and then recleaning after they mess up what I just cleaned. LOL. I dream of posh dinner parties. Someday.................. :)

Faced with sometimes frustratingly full schedules, it's easy to acquiesce and say, "this is our busy life - what can we do?" Well, you don't have to sacrifice spending time with friends - there's a Plan B.

Make peace with the fact that sometimes you just have to reign in the "bigness" of a get together - save dinner and the early hour for another day. Be open to hosting a spontaneous "cocktail hour" anytime, any day. Cocktails and conversation can be just the thing to connect with busy friends. Find an hour or two to serve up lovely libations, play some music, relax and catch up. You'll be amazed at the ground you can cover and soon you'll experience the "feel good high" that only friends can provide.

Although this is definitely a different type of entertaining, it provides an opportunity to quickly connect with both new and old friends. It's the perfect thing to hold you over until your schedule permits for a full blown evening of entertaining. Make sure to take advantage of your captive audience and get that date on the calendar to get your "bigness" out for an evening of extraordinary entertaining. Give your friends a reason to be excited when they look at their calendars, you'll be the date that's circled in red!

I love entertaining, but the biggest issue is getting everyone together on one day! People's schedules are always so booked. My friends are pretty respectful people, so any mess "the morning after" is very minimal.

You are right, this is a problem for everyone. The real joy of entertaining is spending time with family and friends, so when not everyone can make it you may feel tempted to reschedule or cancel. Don't instead try these tips... It can sometimes pay off to do a little survey before you set the date for your party - then you can pick a time when everyone or at least the majority of guests can attend. You can also reign in the bigness of your party and host two small, informal "get-togethers" with cocktails and appetizers.

We've just moved and live in a town home community. We are thinking about asking our neighbors if they're interested in a "block party" - any suggestions?

Block parties are a great way to connect with neighbors. Pot luck is the way to go, have one person maintain a list of what people are bringing so you end up with a variety and make sure to clear the party with your town, many require a permit for a block party. Even though this is not entertaining in the traditional sense, make sure you have all the bases covered. The key to this type of party is many hands make light work!

Here are some quick tips:

1. Make sure you have someone in charge of music.
2. Remember lighting ( for the late hours...).
3. Create a central location for beverages, the nearest house can be in charge of ice.
4. Make sure you have enough tables.
5. Assign someone to paper plates and napkins and another to disposable cups and utensils.
6. Ask a few homes on the block that are centrally located to offer the use of there powder rooms.
7. Agree on a rain date,put someone in charge of the decision and create a phone chain to let neighbors know.
8. Create a set up and clean up committee.
9. Make sure to have enough trash receptacles.
10. Have Fun!