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Who better to advise on parties than Alison Price - party organiser for such luminaries as Sir Elton John, George Michael and assorted royalty across Europe. Her years of experience have taught her the pitfalls that can beset the most organised of hostesses and here she offers an attractively laid out, well-illustrated guide to giving perfect parties. From invitations to themes, table settings to seating plans, food and drink, she covers every eventuality to ensure your party goes with a swing. Whether it is a fancy dress, a wedding reception, a formal dinner party or a teenager's get-together, she explains the steps to take to make it a memorable evening for guests and a stress-free time for the hosts. Drink concoctions - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - together with recipes for sit-down dinners, buffets and finger food are clearly explained with innovative twists to make them all the more memorable. How to gauge the amount needed and to increase the ingredients correctly are also given - something many other books on the subject omit. Flower arrangements and table decorations, settings and furnishings are covered too to make the party theme cohesive and tips on how to get rid of those lingering guests at the end of a long evening are also included! For anyone who likes to throw a party this will have something of interest and note, with inspirational ideas for decor and food on offer throughout. An accomplished party-planner, Alison will ensure you too can create an evening not to be forgotten in a hurry. - Lucy Watson

Pre-party: prepare to party; fantasy themes; home or away?; invitations; menu planning; hardware; helping hands; room transformations; flower festival; candlelight; table settings; formal dining; new ways with napkins; it's showtime; party etiquette. Food & drink: the party spirit; coolest cocktails; fresh fruit drinks; practical cooking; for a cocktail party; for a buffet party; for a dinner party; for a supper party; for eating outdoors; cheeseboard; basic recipes; essential equipment.