I like to think of myself as pretty organized. I mean, I host a lot of parties and dinners, so I have to be planned out. Then I went to my friend Leslie’s house. Wow – I have a lot to learn. She has a business called All Your Ducks In A Row, where she goes into homes and businesses to bring order into people’s lives. She showed me a thing or two about party organization. It was enlightening.
Because she’s so clean and tidy (that was her college nickname, by the way!), Leslie likes to use all white. And I’m talking all white. White dinner napkins, white cocktail napkins, white plates, white towels, white serve ware, white flowers, you get the idea. It makes it super easy and takes any difficulty out of planning for matching colors.
So, we decided to join forces for an epic dinner party. Leslie was going to show me how to be a little more organized and I was going to show her how to add some color and spunk into entertaining.
Leslie, aka “Tidy”, showing me how to be more organized!
How to organize party gear
Keeping silver pieces stored in ziplock bags prevents tarnish and make your serve ware ready in a pinch.
Leslie always has these heavy duty paper cocktail napkins – and her monogram gives it a special touch.
Plates can be organized by color, print, size and shape for easy access.
If your freezer has a “max” or “party” ice option, turn it on a couple days before, then store the extra ice in ziplock bags until your event.
Silver and white paper cut in half are a great alternative to drink stirrers – match them to your party theme for extra points!
Of course Leslie’s glasses are organized by drink type: cocktail, stem wine glass, stemless glass.
Setting up a place where your guests can serve their own drinks is essential – it gives you more time to greet and mingle with your guests.
This round bar sink doubles as an ice bucket. Throw your liquor and mixers in here and your guests are free to be their own mixologist
I love this clear acrylic tray of Leslie’s that holds pre-cut lemons, limes and an ice bucket.
An organized hostess is a happy hostess and a happy hostess means happy guests! Many thanks to my friend Leslie – may we all strive to be tidy entertainers!
Cheers!!
Lory (and Tidy!):
I’ve been traveling like crazy and it’s finally good to be home and catch up on your blog! Great tips! Love the ziplock bag with ice–we are always running to the store at the last minute for ice!
Thanks Mary! I just loved this tip from Leslie! My new refrigerator has this max ice option – have used it more than I ever thought I would for larger gatherings. Xoxo