•INCelebrate

Spicy Home Parties

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Great ideas to help
make your celebration
unforgettable.

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Simple things to spice
up your party.

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
Special to The Jewish News

et's be honest: planning a
great party is exhausting,
both mentally and physical-
ly.
Whether you're having a large cele-
bration or a small get-together, it's
going to take a tremendous amount of
planning, shopping, cooking, buying,
coordinating and cleaning up. For
most men and women, who either are
working full time or caring for chil-
dren or both, the idea of preparing
those little extras (the special touches
that Martha Stewart, with her staff of

50, finds so easy) is about as pleasant
as filling out tax forms.
Take heart. Here are some great,
easy, fun ideas to help make your
party a night they will never forget.

Pick A Theme
Whether your guests are adults or
children, you can't go wrong by select-
ing a theme and sticking with it
throughout the evening. You can coor-
dinate decorations and paper plates,
games and conversation when you
have something to focus on.
For children: circus, outer space,
sports, fairy tales, animals.
For adults: politics, names in the

news, great writers, the 1960s.
Suppose, for example, that the
theme of your party is favorite novels.
Look for, or design, your own invita-
tions shaped like a book. Ask guests to
come dressed as a character from a
favorite novel, then be prepared to tell
about him or her. Play music from
Gone with the Wind. Bake a cake in
the shape of a book.

Excited In Advance
Anticipation is half the fun of any
occasion.
Several days before the party, drop
off a little reminder at your guests'
homes. It needn't be anything elabo-

rate: a small bag filled with gourmet
coffee and a chocolate bar will do. But
friends will notice, and appreciate, the
fact that you went out of your way. (It
also will serve as a pleasant reminder
to parents who have yet to secure a
baby sitter.)

Get The Picture
Most people love to have their
picture taken. Before the party, get a
camera and plenty of film. Take a
photo of the host with each guest,
then include it in the thank-you note

The Write Note
Invariably, you will have some kind-

3/20
1998