Tamar Love's "Plan a Fabulous Party...in no time"


Made me want to throw a party, and try new things...what more could you want?

I have been called at least once the "Supreme Goddess of Organization" for my talent for remembering and pulling people together to celebrate special events. I like to throw parties.

But I still had "Plan a Fabulous Party..." on my wish list. Partly because I like books about better living, but also because the author is n a Yahoo Group mail list to which I belong, and she made it sound fun. [Disclaimer: this is how I heard about the book, but I've never actually met the author or corresponded with her directly.]

I enjoyed the book, found it to be full of both whimsical and practical advice, and found myself thinking of excuses to throw a party before I was even a third of the way through. I'd say the book did its job.

To write a comprehensive review of the book, I decided to use it to throw a group birthday party I had schedule for January (a Capricorn bash) anyway. In this particular case another friend was hosting the party at her home, but I came up with the theme and did most of the organization. Encouraged by the book I chose an actual theme (New Year's, with an emphasis on the word "New.")

The theme then helped me to choose an activity for the party (a New Year's resolution match-up game) to decide what to ask guests to bring to the party (any comestible that they had either never tried or never cooked before...I made a Pomegranate Punch since I had never had Pomegranate juice before) and to create party favors for the guests as they left (An individually wrapped goat cheese in honor of our Capricorn friends, along with other little party favors from Diddam's, a local party store.) The idea of having favors or having an activity was one that I hadn't really pursued before, and it did add an element of fun during the party and a pleasant surprise to guests as they were leaving the party.

I also made an honest attempt to use the various budget and to-do checklists proposed in the book. It's not too surprising that I used the to-do lists extensively and the budget spreadsheet very little. That's pretty much how I am in the rest of my life.

The checklists particularly helped by forcing one to map out when you were going to accomplish necessary tasks, not just what the tasks were. did feel rather more prepared and calm than before my usual party. Then again, it's a huge load off not to have to clean house.

Bottom Line: the book will inspire creativity and organization in the prospective party-giver. I am gonig to hang on to it and try to use it each time I throw a party. high praise from me!

Buy "Plan a Fabulous Party" on amazon.com

Posted: Mon - January 31, 2005 at 10:16 PM       EmailFeedback

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