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Party in a Box

Posted Thu, Nov 02, 2006, 2:51 am PST
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You have guests arriving for cocktails in two hours and barely time to straighten up, much less decorate. No problem -- prepping for your next bash can be a cinch. Make it easy by creating "party boxes" filled with essentials that you can keep in the closet and whip out for various occasions. You can create boxes for casual, elegant, outdoor, cocktail, birthday, and holiday affairs. Just customize the contents to suit your style.  Cheers!

  • Candles: Stock an assortment of votives, tapers, pillars, and birthday candles.
  • Napkins: Be sure to have a good supply of cocktail and dinner/dessert size -- Target and online sites like www.foryourparty.com carry a hip array.
  • Picks: Toothpicks or party picks are smart to have on hand -- you can find snazzier styles in assorted colors.
  • Glasses: Invest in an inexpensive set of small juice glasses -- it's a playful way to serve wine "bistro style" when you have a larger group or don't feel like pulling out the "good" crystal.
  • Platters: Collect a few stylish melamine platters for serving hors d'oeuvres or sweets -- they're light, stylish, and never break!
  • Bowls: You can't have too many small bowls for serving dips and munchies. Mix them up for an eclectic look -- glass, porcelain, melamine, pottery -- whatever suits you.
  • Plates: Stock some quality paper plates that can be used for appetizers or dessert -- www.plumparty.com has a great selection.
  • Placemats: Have an array of placemats in different shapes and material to use underneath vases or platters.
  • Centerpiece Supplies: All you need is one medium vase along with fillers like marbles, sea glass, or stones. Or improvise with stuff from your kitchen (rice, red lentils, etc.). Fresh flowers are always a nice touch, but stash a small supply of twigs, bamboo, or dried flowers so you can throw something together without a trip to the florist.
  • A collection of drink recipes
  • An assortment of CD mixes
  • Powder room essentials such as hand towels, guest soap, and lotion.

  • 1. Posted by alanlawrencesitomer on Fri, Nov 03, 2006, 7:37 am PST

    we love it!! what fabulous ideas!!

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  • 2. Posted by dkrismo on Tue, Nov 07, 2006, 5:13 pm PST

    Too much! I really like this fast and simple way to stay organized for parties. I have started my own catering/event planning company and will do the same for home and business.

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  • 3. Posted by morchaelisplace on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 11:46 am PST

    thanks this article was great help

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  • 4. Posted by kool_chick7_04 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 11:51 am PST

    that was way tooo much to do

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  • 5. Posted by Red on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 12:03 pm PST

    Fabuliscious list! I LOOOOOVE to entertain and you just made my whoas of pulling a fast one together a BAZILLION times easier. I love it! A great tip on getting some of these nick nack items together (platters, candles/holders, etc.) is to go to a thrift shop. I'm a thift shop-aholic and have found GREAT platters and servers at prices UNIMAGINABLE! Just bought a crystal and silver 2-tier cookie server for 5 bucks! Excellent condition and something you'd expect to pay 10 bucks for. Try it! I'm a great fan! Thx for the info!

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  • 6. Posted by SiLLyViRi on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 2:09 pm PST

    Great ideas! I am moving out on my own and this are good ideas for me when I have people over.

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  • 7. Posted by sarahabeara92 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 3:35 pm PST

    i think they should have more pictures of items on the list. but cool list.

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  • 8. Posted by simonnicolaou@rogers.com on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 6:33 pm PST

    a case of bottled water is always good

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  • 9. Posted by Joy on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 7:37 pm PST

    nice idea!!! like it

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  • 10. Posted by kentclark_00 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 7:45 pm PST

    What assorted CD mixes are a must for success?

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  • 11. Posted by Lisa G on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 7:47 pm PST

    I liked it, good suggestions are always helpful!

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  • 12. Posted by isaiah g on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:04 pm PST

    a little bit informative.

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  • 13. Posted by Hannah on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:06 pm PST

    good ideas, but it would be helpful if you provided ideas for last-minute, easy to prepare refreshments (cocktails and hors devours) too...usually it's not the deocraing that causes stress!

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  • 14. Posted by Cindy L on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:06 pm PST

    Nice suggestions, but the stressor is not having enough napkins or candles--it's my empty fridge that I didn't have time to fill!

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  • 15. Posted by Sastilin on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:08 pm PST

    Sweet going to make a box soon!!

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  • 16. Posted by herleyberley on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:22 pm PST

    Excellent list! I have a lot of this stuff lying around, but not organized - it will be now.

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  • 17. Posted by joyknight5 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:24 pm PST

    i like the chicken it looks bomb nah wut i meen!

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  • 18. Posted by ipissonbush on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:31 pm PST

    The chics at the top left, Rita Mauceri and Elycia Rubin, are pretty hot. I'd love to share a few other ideas with them.

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  • 19. Posted by hswwsh01 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:32 pm PST

    Aren't there more important things going on in the world that we could use as one of the headlines on Yahoo?

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  • 20. Posted by olive79pop on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:34 pm PST

    Have a wishing well where the partygoers can roll quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins down inside the big funnel and race each other! Make it fun! Put one by the front door, the back door, and next to the toilet so they won't be bored. Heck, even put one of these money funnels out by Fido's doghouse so your guests can pet your dog and drop their coins at the same time! If they don't have time to wait for the big sluggish coins to make it to the center hole drop, there's a slot that just takes a second to push in a ten dollar bill or whatever. After all, why should YOU have to pay for your own party? Have a blast!

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  • 21. Posted by hswwsh01 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:35 pm PST

    On second thought, these are good ideas.

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  • 22. Posted by marcos6368@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:36 pm PST

    THANKS FOR THOSE TIPS- ....

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  • 23. Posted by Michael C on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:36 pm PST

    I thought this was pretty cool. Now I just need a closet big enough to fit all of my boxes in!

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  • 24. Posted by paultheromanianprince on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:36 pm PST

    Sounds good. I'll have tons of guests over at my house around Christmas, and I'll remember these tips.

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  • 25. Posted by weddingsbureau on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:37 pm PST

    helpful ideas...for an event planner like me who is always on the go.

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  • 26. Posted by touretto on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:38 pm PST

    If you know a person with tourettes syndrom who also is bi-polar and is also skitsophrenic from the stress of normal life and also has some OCD symptons like me then you can take some of our pointers from that person. We can be as neat as a pin or the messiest house keeper, just depending on our stability and if anyone comes visiting often. If we get regular visiters then we are as neat as a pin and very hospitable with healthy orderves and a decent meal without desert because our guests will be full.

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  • 27. Posted by wickedchrissy25 on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:45 pm PST

    I'm sorry to say it, but this article is a complete waste! It suggests great ideas like stocking up on glasses and napkins for a cocktail party! Obviously anyone hosting a party would have glasses and napkins! I dont understand why these are time savers........I guess I should just stock up on everythign I need for a party and keep them in the closet in case I have the sudden urge to call all my friends and invite them over in one hour! How ridiculous!! Doesn't Yahoo have anythign better to print!!??

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  • 28. Posted by phop m on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 8:46 pm PST

    please send me a pica food that can easealy prepared

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  • 29. Posted by elieru on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 9:08 pm PST

    Woohoo...Ok, I have five boxes full of all the necessities for my party....the problem is that i don't have anyone to invite :(

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  • 30. Posted by SEVERINE L on Thu, Nov 09, 2006, 9:11 pm PST

    really useful tips out there!!

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