You don’t have to be a professional party planner to throw a memorable get-together at home. As the idea of hosting a rendezvous can be daunting to most, here’s a checklist of every way you can prepare for it.

Theme

Having a theme can really help plan the evening. It’ll help pinpoint decoration, dress code, food and beverage, entertainment, invitations, favours, etc. If your theme is Christmas, imagine the evening with red, gold, green, a sit-down dinner, gifts, eggnog, wine, etc. Decide on a theme at least three weeks in advance for enough time to prep.

Guest list and invitation

Choose an interesting mix of people to have over. Invite a few more than you can accommodate, as some may be unable to attend. Apart from the where, when, what to wear, etc, the invitation must excite your guests with details on what you’re celebrating and why. Send it at least two weeks in advance. Send a soft copy the day before as a reminder.

Décor

Have cushions and throws washed and upholstery shampooed at least a week in advance. Focus on the right lighting, add themed accessories on end tables and decorate the dinner table for a sit-down meal. Float tea lights in water-filled bowls around the house, set up hurricane lamps with candles and place floral centrepieces between facing seats on the dinner table.

Favours

An engraved pair of stemless wine glasses, custom-made fortune cookies with messages and quotes for each guest, a box of cupcakes from the best bakers in town, aromatic candles from Bath & Body—the list goes on. Place these gifts in paper bags that are not just customised for your party but also personalised for each guest.