- Select menu items that can be prepared in advance - Simplify wherever possible - Clean up after yourself as you go along

Don’t spend hours before your event (or worse yet hours of your event) racing madly around kitchen. Many dishes can be partially or completely prepared in advance – take advantage of that!

Simplify your task list wherever possible. You can pick up some wonderful side dishes from deli section of your grocery store or local specialty shop. Serve them in your own bowl or platter – no one needs to know. This way you can focus on making one or two impressive items and wow everyone without stressing yourself out.

Determine which serving pieces you’ll be using and get everything ready to go. Rinse pieces that may not have been used in a while. Make sure you have all your glassware (or for informal events - plastic ware!) ready. If you must use silver, allow enough time to give it a polish. If it is a sit-down dinner, iron tablecloth, get out place settings and, if possible, set table. Note: if you have pets that might jump up and investigate, throw an extra tablecloth over table until shortly before your guests arrive. When selecting these items, try to balance putting on a great presentation with amount of work it will take to set up and clean up.

It is so disheartening to spend hours preparing great food for your guests, only to be faced with a kitchen that is a disaster area. Clean up after yourself each step of way. Wipe down counters, rinse your prep items and put them straight into dishwasher, throw away any packaging. Try to have dishwasher empty at start of your party so as dishes are finished being used they can be immediately put in dishwasher or easily at end of night, reducing amount of time you need to spend cleaning up.

Handling Final Details As mentioned before, go around and tidy anything up that may have gotten messy since your big cleanup. Consider setting up a drink area where guests can help themselves to refills on drinks. Rearrange any furniture to encourage conversation among guests.

Decorating your tabletop or buffet can be as simple as moving some of your existing home décor to party table or main room of gathering. If your holiday decorations are out, use your extras or purchase some inexpensive evergreens. Candles of all sizes make a great filler. Use containers you already own, take it to your florist and let them do their thing.

Your house is clean, food is prepared and there is time to spare! You have done all prep work. You can relax now and enjoy your event. Who knew entertaining could be so simple?

©2004 Bridget Messino

However, it is I believe worthwhile to look for lessons that exist in both good and bad in our lives. Being careful not to dwell on negative. Remember, there is a huge difference between dwelling on - and simply learning from and moving past something.

Here's wishing you great success along journey of life, Josh Hinds