Q: I'm having a party out by our pool, but we won't be in the water. I'd like to dress up the area and make it look really sophisticated."A: Oh, there are some really fun ways to do that. For instance, the venerable tiki torch is now available in a plethora of colors, designs -- and levels of sophistication! And as a bonus, the light they cast is flattering! Candles floating in the pool are another great source of light and decoration. You can find floatable candles at just about any party-supply store these days. And greenery -- well, you can never go wrong with fresh flowers and potted plants! Just remember to make the party area an extension of your home, and your guests will feel right at home.
Q: I just hosted a retirement party, and it was so tough getting people to RSVP. Next time, how can I tell people they have to RSVP. "
A: You'd think that most people nowadays would know what RSVP means: Répondez, s'il vous plaît, the French way of saying "Please reply." I think people get so busy with their hectic lives -- or maybe they aren't sure whether they can attend at the time the invitation arrives -- that they forget to respond. Here's a good way to make sure they won't be as likely to forget: make the invitations themselves memorable. Creative invitations are half the battle! Check our website for ideas to breathe some life into the invitations to your next party -- and I bet you'll be swamped with replies!
Q: At our last party, some people said they thought the white wine was too warm and the red wine was too cold. How can I get it right the next time?
A:As a rule of thumb, you should refrigerate white wine for two hours before serving; you can also get chillers made especially for white wine. Serve red wine at room temperature, and remember to keep it in the pantry or a cabinet -- somewhere away from heat sources.
Q: Can you show me a quick way to set up a dining room table for a dinner party? I always run out of time, and the table never looks special."
A: The key is always to give yourself more time than you think you're going to need. Have all of your table decor together well in advance, and you won't have to be running around at the last minute looking for that certain vase or the right kinds of flowers. You can get your table ready in no time flat: spread the table with a runner, add candles and peonies in vases filled with crushed glass -- and add a finishing touch in the form of personalized gifts for your guests.
