by Talia Murphy

Created on: August 08, 2009   Last Updated: August 20, 2009

There are a few things to consider when planning a party. What is the reason behind getting the group together? Is it a celebration or a general get together with friends, an office party, holiday or charity event? For any event, pick a theme, decide on your menu and guest list. Place your buffet table somewhere that is easily accessible from every room, even if it means moving it to another larger area.

The buffet table will set the theme and tempo of your party, as well as be the central activity point. Make it dramatic and beautiful. If at all possible, use individual tables in another area to seat no more than 6 or 8 people, so that everyone can sit down comfortably to eat and converse. Each person should be able to see over floral arrangements and be able to hear without difficulty. Background music should never compete with great conversation. Place your well stocked bar in a different area where there is good traffic flow.

Be a bit outrageous. Consider turning your outside summer buffet table into a western dessert with mounds of sand and various sized cactus plants. Don't kid yourself, flowers do bloom in the dessert. Arrange colorful Portulaca or Moss Rose so they're growing right out of the sand. Serve generous, well garnished frozen drinks and desserts to offset the arid landscape.

Fresh fruit is beautiful all by itself and can be used as the main buffet centerpiece by building levels out of boxes and floral foam attached with electrical tape and added atop a large urn or vase. Just cover the foam with fruit using wooden skewers and add tropical flowers to hide any holes. Hollowed out pineapple or watermelon make a beautiful presentation when holding any cold salads. The same idea can be used with a variety of fresh vegetable, both as the centerpiece or for serving pieces. All are stunning, just be sure everything you use is extremely fresh and ripe.

Maybe you want to have a May Day celebration outdoors for your friends and their children. Set up a May pole and add colorful streamers. Make everyone happy with lots of delicious finger food, cupcakes and an ice cream bar complete with an assortment of colorful sprinkles, chocolate sauce, bananas, whipped cream and cherries to top it off. Modify slightly for a family reunion or birthday party.

Another theme might be to use an array of glass candlesticks with pale blue candles set on a shimmery, watery blue moire fabric table topper. Add an overlay of pale sea foam green organza and crisp white napkins. If you have some glass fish or other tropical sea life, add them to the mix or beautiful, large, bleached white seashells.

When the weather is mild, play some oldies, rent a wooden dance floor and dance under the stars. Light your tables with a multitude of small votive candles set on mirror squares to create lots of sparkle. Glass vases with sprayed white branches and clear glass pebbles are simple, beautiful and dramatic. Hang tiny mirrored balls on the branches and create even more sparkle. This would be great for an engagement party or after a small wedding.

Use your collection of old bottles, seashells, dolls, whatever you love and display them on stacked cubes or pedestals in various heights, below eye level. If it's interesting, it will work. Lower the lights and add flickering candlelight to set the mood along with soft music. Create an atmosphere that is uniquely yours and let your guests have the pure pleasure of enjoying their evening. It's your gift to them.

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