The party date is getting nearer, are you ready? In fact, you really are. Only a few items left on the list, which have to be done. That is, if you have not done them already. If the party is being held at your house, you should clean it completely. You can save a few things for the day before the event, but the general cleaning and scrubbing you should do now! When you have in mind to use your own silverwork, it is about time to polish it now. This will also take away some of your nervous energy!
Now, we are getting closer and closer; two days to go!
Two days left until the party. Do several tasks and give yourself the feeling that you have everything under control, (because in fact, you have).
Buy fresh meats. Charge your digital camera (there is no worse than thinking that the batteries are prepared!).
If you still have some nervous energy left, it is maybe time to give your glasswork the final wash.
Wow! Can you believe it? Only one day to go!
‘Twas the night before the party and all through the house, you can
hear the host pacing, irritating his spouse. (My apologies to Clement
Clarke Moore!)
We reached the day before the big party. You are acting as an animal captured in a cage. Don’t worry, instead of wasting your time with worrying, why not prepare some things in advance? Look at your list of tasks. Does it surprise you, yes you can check off quite some tasks of your list. However a few will remain, for today. You find some of them here below. If you have some tasks yourself, specific to your party, please get them done as well. You should do absolutely anything that reliefs you from stress on the big party, on the day before.
In case of a sit-down dinner, lay the table. You just put one obstacle out of the way on the day of the party. Finish your last housework. This counts if you are hosting your party at your own house. Make sure that everything that has to be done regarding housework is done on the day before the party.
This prevents you from the nightmare, that you are just finishing your housework on the day of the party, forget the time and……. hear the door bell ring. Now this is a real nightmare, not finished and the guests are already there!
Clean your refrigerator. Yes, clear out the old stuff, for two reasons. First, make sure your fridge does not look like mine (a complete disaster). On the day of the party, you should be able to find and get the food you bought for the party easily. Check your fridge if there are not any goodies, dying a silent death in some dusky corner. Prevent yourself and others to find or smell such goodies at the day of the party!
Time for shopping now; buy all the perishable foods that are needed for tomorrow. It is important to do your last shopping on the day before the party, instead of creating a lot of stress on the day of the party.
If you are suffering from real pressure to get everything done in time and the possibility is there, you can order your groceries online and have them delivered. That way you do not have to leave your house!
On this day, prior to the party, you can wash all salad, greens and herbs in cold water. Dry them by shaking, put them into polythene bags, and refrigerate them. This will keep them fresh and crispy for about 24 hours.
Here is another major tip for you, listen very carefully! Of course, it depends on the menu you have in mind but you even could be able to do the bulk of the cooking and preparation on the day before the party as well. However, you need to be careful with this; you do not want to spoil the food on your precious day. When you are perfectly sure that some of your specific cooking’s cannot be affected on taste if you prepare it one day ahead, go for it! Buy your fresh products, in the grocery store or on the farmer’s market.
Do you plan to use flowers? Buy them and arrange them today, it is the perfect day for that. Go for it, you are dying to do so. Go around with the brush once again! Take the dust cloth out one more time. Check all the bathrooms to make sure you got everything in stock your guests might need.
It is here! Party- Day!
Okay, here it is finally. Where do you start with your tasks now? Well, at first you have to go to the fish market to make sure you get your fresh seafood. Then check if all the rentals you need come in on time. Buy ice, chill your beer and wines that need that too. Make the punch if punch is what you want to serve.
Decorate the party trays with fresh herbs, flowers and fruits. Provide the “finishing touch” on all the decorations.
At this moment, you probably will see why you had to keep on task during the two weeks before the party. Even with all the work you already did ahead, you still have a full day today.
Try to get your spouse or children into action. Let them buy the ice or have them pick up the rentals. They will safe you some time and stress!
Do you have everything under control? Eat something light then, get showered and dressed, put on some great music and start enjoying yourself!