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Stress-Free Party Planning


It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and harassed at the thought of having to organize a party or special dinner.

We spend hours trying to make everything perfect, preparing the most elaborate dishes, struggling over fiddly, expensive decorations, spending more money than we can afford to impress our guests...

And then the outcome is we are too tired, stressed and worried about things going wrong to actually enjoy the event and the company of our friends, relatives and colleagues.

Wouldn't you like to be that host or hostess at a party who seems to sail through everything effortlessly, remains calm, never looks stressed, and always provides wonderful food, good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere?

In "101 Best Party Recipes," Edith M Barber says one of the keys to a successful party is that the hosts enjoy the event. This makes a lot of sense; after all, if your guests sense you are feeling hassled their enjoyment will be lessened.

Here are just a few simple rules to ensure your party is a success without the stress:

- plan your event well in advance

- attempt only what can be carried out successfully and with apparent ease

- be realistic about your skills

- ensure that your time at the party is not occupied by long spells in the kitchen

- never be afraid to ask for help - use the skills of those around you

- keep notes

- always look for the easy way to achieve something

- above all, keep things simple!

Follow these guidelines and you will be well on your way to becoming a successful party host.

Lisa Hartwell is a writer, broadcaster and voiceover. She is the publisher of "101 Best Party Recipes" (http://www.bestpartyrecipes.com) and webmaster at "Ultimate House and Home" (http://www.ultimate-house-and-home.com)


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Kansas City Star

Shofars will ring in Hebrew holiday
Newberg Graphic
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Recession prompts synagogues to lower high costs of High HolidaysKansas City Star
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Kansas City Star

Millions expected to hit the road for Labor Day
msnbc.com
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Labor Day travel forecastWink News
Labor Day travel to rise by 9.9 percentAltoona Mirror
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Glenbrooke News

What Kind of Capitalism?
Huffington Post (blog)
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Labor Day and May Day share American rootsHULIQ
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WHMI

AAA Says Labor Day Holiday Weekend Travel Forecast to be Up 10%
WDEF News 12
The Automobile Association of America says says travel is forecast to be up for the Labor Day holiday weekend. The organization expects 34.4 million people ...
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Gas prices up this Labor Day over lastAlton Telegraph
South Carolina Now
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The State

State agencies promote safe, sensible holiday weekend
Chillicothe Gazette
According to the patrol, the Labor Day holiday weekend is traditionally one of the deadliest holidays on state roads. Last year during the holiday reporting ...
FHP Labor Day Crackdown Helps Keep You AliveCBS 4
Troopers out in full force: Highway patrol prepares for Labor Day weekend ...The Morning Journal
Extra troopers on the road for Labor Day weekend looking for impaired driversSun-Sentinel
The Commercial Dispatch
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Reminder: Post Offices Observe Labor Day Holiday
WGCL Atlanta
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Guest Column: High Holidays right on time
Cuyahoga Falls News Press
Almost every Jewish person I talk with mentions that the High Holidays seem so early this year. ...
Broadcast new yearWinnipeg Free Press

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Bus schedules altered for Labor Day holiday
Las Vegas Sun
The Regional Transportation Commission said buses will use a Sunday schedule on Monday for the Labor Day holiday, when there are typically fewer riders and ...

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The Star-Ledger - NJ.com (blog)

Overlooking a holiday; 'Poopgate' in Newark; The name game
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If they had, they'd have noticed it's the second day of Rosh Hashana — one of Judaism's high holidays. And that, oy vey, means some people with a huge ...



US Retail Sales Top Estimates on Tax Holidays, Discounts
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