Here's how to ensure everything goes smoothly, and your party is the hit of the season!

Checklist

The first thing you need to do is make a checklist. This checklist doesn't just include dishes you plan to make and the guest list, but it also includes little items that need looking to. Perhaps you would like to light a few scented candles just before the party begins. Put it down in your checklist or you may forget at the last minute. Also, add any item that needs to be purchased and take this checklist with you when you go shopping for ingredients. Make sure your shopping is complete the day before the party. You don't want to be running to the stores at the last minute.

Go through the checklist the night before the party to make sure you have everything, and if something is indeed missing, arrange for it early the next day.

Also, include the following in your checklist:

Table linen

Make sure your tablecloth, mats and napkins are clean and ironed, and the table is set before guests arrive, or the night before.

If you don't have napkins that match with your mats, purchase pretty paper napkins.

If you have invited more people than your table can seat, place plates on a pile with napkins under each plate, and with spoons, forks and knives (if required) in a spoon holder or placed beside the pile of plates. Keep water glasses together on a tray, along with a jug. Fill the jug with water early on, and add ice later, if required.

A common mistake made by many people is to organize one glass per person. Remember that people will have hard or soft drinks before sitting down for dinner, so you need to organize at least two glasses per person. Depending on what drinks you plan to serve, arrange for the appropriate glass. You don't really need to invest in anything other than wine, beer, whiskey and water glasses. Soft drinks and most cocktails can be served in regular water glasses.

Drinks

If you have a limited supply of drinks, instead of asking your guests, “What would you like to drink,” ask “Could I get you juice, Thums Up, Limca, beer, red wine or whiskey?” Your guests could then select from the options, and you will be spared the embarrassment of having to tell them that you're just out of white wine or Diet Coke. In any case, remember to stock up after a party. This mostly means just investing in one large soft drink bottle, one large Diet Coke or Pepsi, some alcohol and club soda.

Towels

Make sure the bathroom your guests will be using is clean, and keep enough fresh hand towels for their use. You could place little towels in a small basket and keep it besides the sink with a laundry basket next to it, so guests can throw towels into the laundry basket after using them. If you don't have a large enough counter to place a basket with towels, simply hang a number of hand towels on the rod. It is never a good idea to have just one hand towel, as no one would like wiping their hands on it when it gets damp.

Cutlery and Crockery

Do you have enough cutlery and crockery? You don't want to keep washing spoons or forks through the party if you run out. Count three spoons per guest in addition to serving spoons, so you're comfortable. After all, if your guests stay back for coffee, you may require a few extra spoons for stirring in the sugar. And, don't forget desert spoons!

Keep desert bowls and spoons together in a tray in the kitchen early on, so it will not take you time to bring out the desert.

Children

Let all children be together in a room, and organize a movie or a few board games so they can play together and keep busy.

Home

You will naturally want your home to look beautiful the day of the party, but needless to say, there's no point in getting out and purchasing new furniture! Make good use of flowers and candles. Place a large bowl on the centre table and fill it up with water, petals and floating candles. Place fresh flowers in any empty vases you may have. Make sure all your candle stands have candles in them, and light all candles for the party if you're having it at night.