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© 2009 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
1 Month Before:
□ Choose the type of party you want to throw.
□ Set the date.
□ Prepare your guest list.
□ Mail or e-mail invitations, or call guests to invite them.
3 Weeks Before:
□ Choose the menu; organize recipes for easy reference.
□ Create a timeline for preparing your chosen recipes.
□ Read through recipes and make lists of the ingredients you need to buy. Stock up on pantry
items, such as sugar, our, and other nonperishables.
□ Try out any new recipes you want to troubleshoot.
□ Prepare any items that can be frozen.
□ Arrange to borrow, rent, or buy serving pieces and other items that you might need, such as
platters, glasses, atware, or table linens.
□ Hire a bartender if desired.
2 Weeks Before:
□ Purchase wine and liquor, and arrange to have cases delivered to your home.
□ If you’re throwing a potluck, or if friends have offered to bring something, let guests
know what to make.
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Party-Planning Guide
www.marthastewart.com/checklists
© 2009 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
□ Set the table, as a trial run, to make sure you have all the dishes and serving utensils
you’ll need.
1 Week Before:
□ Call or e-mail guests who have not yet RSVP’d to see if they plan to attend, and also follow
up with guests who have offered to bring a dish.
□ Make space in the refrigerator or freezer so you’ll have room to store groceries.
□ Prepare recipes that keep well up to a week.
4 Days Before:
□ Purchase all remaining nonperishables.
2 Days Before:
□ Wash serving pieces, plates, atware, and glasses, and polish if necessary.
□ If using cloth napkins or tablecloths, iron them.
□ Place frozen food in the refrigerator to defrost overnight.
1 Day Before:
□ Purchase any perishables, such as salad greens, fresh bread, and seafood.
□ Pick up fresh owers (or have them delivered).
□ Assemble any foods that can be made in advance.
□ Wash and prepare salad greens and other vegetables, and blanch vegetables for crudites
(keep these wrapped in paper towels). Refrigerate all separately, in airtight containers.
4 to 7 Hours Before:
□ Set up the bar, if it isn’t already done.
□ Place ower arrangements.
www.marthastewart.com/checklists
© 2009 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
4 to 5 Hours Before:
□ Chill white wine and sparkling wine.
Up to 1 Hour Before:
□ Finish preparing food.
