Party Checklist
To help you in your next function we’ve created a party checklist. It covers almost everything and is a great way to ensure you don’t miss a thing!
Download Party
Checklist
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In case you can’t print the PDF this is a written checklist for you :
Three Weeks Before
Make an party invitation list. For a large gathering, invite 20 percent more people than you can fit, since typically only 70 percent to 80 percent of invitees attend.
Decide on a theme, if you want one. Make, buy, or borrow any decorations or music you will need to compliment the theme.
Send party invitations. Mail, e-mail, even phoning invitees are all acceptable methods.
Plan the menu. Call Fingerfood company and we’ll arrange everything from fingerfood, cake platter, fruit platter, cheese platters and more. Even if you have specific catering needs such as halal, vegetarian or kosher we can cater for that too. If you want a special cake then make sure you place an order with your local bakery, as needed.
Line up any help you may need. At Fingerfood we take the stress out of catering by providing optional wait staff so you can sit back and relax. They take care of everything from serving food, staffing the bar through to cleaning up afterwards.
Two Weeks Before
Clean any crystal, china, and silverware you’ll be using. And launder and iron linens. If you’re using our complete fingerfood service then don’t worry about any of this because we can take care of everything.
Come up with a playlist. The music should be upbeat and sufficient to last throughout the entire party. There’s nothing worse than bad music to spoil a party. Make sure the music is suitable fro the demographic. Rap at a 70th birthday is not a good recipe.
Do a first round of grocery shopping and cooking. Prepare any other specialty dishes that can be frozen.
One Week Before
Clean the house thoroughly. This way, you’ll need only a quick once-over before the party gets underway.
Set the stage. Arrange the furniture as you’ll want it for the party. You need to make sure that guests can move easily from one part of your house to another. It’s also a good idea to designate a coffee table or side table for coffee and dessert (if you’ll be serving them). Also make sure you hide things that will be in the way, precious items that might get broken (or even be taken) or any general clutter. Figure out the lighting: Using low-wattage bulbs or candlelight will create the right mood for certain occasions.
Take inventory of cookware and serving dishes. If we’re catering then you don’t have to worry about the food we’ll be serving because we bring all the necessary food serving trays as well as sauces, napkins etc. If you’re DIY and don’t have enough for every dish you’re serving, consider purchasing inexpensive pieces from a discount or thrift store. Label each dish with a Post-it so you’ll remember what you plan to use it for at party time.
Stock the bar. A good rule of thumb is three bottles of wine for every four people and three to four cocktails per guest for a two- to three-hour cocktail party.
Three Days Before
Notify the neighbors. A simple courtesy can save a lot of bad feeling. Let your neighbours know you’re having a party even if you don’t expect it to be large, loud, or parking-intensive.
Decorate. Arrange candles and other theme decorations, etc.
Check the medicine cabinet. Guest like to snoop so make sure you remove any personal items you wouldn’t want guests to see.
Set up clean-up stations. Place a box of salt, red wine stain remover, club soda, and a couple of rags in a basket, and store a few in strategic places in case a nasty spill occurs.
Specify a place for coats. Make space in a spare closet and fill it with clothes hangers. You could also choose a bed to place coats and jackets on (make sure the room is especially tidy and free of valuables, so you won’t need to worry about them), or purchase an inexpensive portable garment rack.
Finish grocery shopping. Make a detailed cooking schedule for your remaining dishes.
One Day Before
Set the tables. Or set up the buffet as it will be.
Buy and arrange flowers.
Finish as much of the cooking as you can. Or if we’re catering then don’t worry about a thing. If not, for foods that require cooking on party day, do as much prep (dicing, marinating, rinsing lettuce, etc.) as possible.
Give your house a once-over. Do whatever cleaning and general touch-ups that are needed.
Day of the Party
Finish any last-minute cooking. This should be absolutely minimal! Especially if you’re using Fingerfood Company!
Place chairs. Don’t worry about having enough seating for everyone. You see fewer seats will actually encourage guests to mingle.
Display food. One to two hours before guests arrive, set out appetizers and snacks that won’t spoil. Wrap them tightly to ensure freshness; tear off the wrap when the first guest rings the doorbell.
Greet guests as they arrive. Fingerfood company takes care of everything so you’re free to mingle, not tied to the kitchen.
We hope this helps you plan a fantastic party and we look forward to helping you cater your next event.