Entertaining for Dummies [Paperback]

Suzanne Williamson (Author), Linda Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: September 22, 1997

From small dinner parties to big-time shindigs, Entertaining For Dummies shows you how to impress and pamper your guests no matter what the occasion. It’s full of fresh, creative ideas and proven tips for creating an unforgettable experience — at your daughter’s sweet sixteen birthday party, a fancy dinner in honor of your boss, or any other get-together.

Whether you’re a homemaker in need of creative ideas for your next big party, or a busy professional who needs to impress the boss without spending a bundle, Entertaining For Dummies covers all the bases — from planning, to decorating, to cooking, to hosting. Regardless of the size of the event or its purpose, you’ll find helpful tips on these topics and more:

• Planning large or small events
• Designing distinctive invitations and a balanced menu
• Creating a comfortable atmosphere in any space
• Making your guests feel welcome
• Hosting a business gathering in your home
• Treating the family to special events like picnics, birthday parties, and Sunday dinners
• Hosting theme events like costume parties

Renowned entertaining speaker Suzanne Williamson offers all the expert advice you need to make every event a success — from black-tie parties to backyard barbecues. She’ll give you all the tools and tips you need to get organized and get your party off the ground. Whether you’re entertaining for a dozen or a thousand, you’ll find everything you need right here:

• Organize a last-minute party
• Use your imagination to create a unique atmosphere
• Drinks—from cocktails to coffee
• Table settings and food presentation
• Hire a disc jockey or band
• Cope with accidents, emergencies, and unplanned occurrences
• Entertain during the holidays
• Parties for children from tots to teens
• Entertain for business associates or government officials
• Solutions for common cooking disasters

If you want step-by-step help on getting your party off the ground, or just a reliable reference for trouble-shooting those unforeseen emergencies, Entertaining For Dummies is the only book you need. It’s full of creative ideas that making throwing your next party a blast — and a breeze.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At last! An antidote to Martha Stewart. Entertaining for Dummies is a book for the rest of us--a no-nonsense guide to planning and executing every kind of social gathering from a picnic to a formal holiday dinner. The book is divided into five parts; in the first, you'll get plenty of useful tips on planning parties, from making guest lists and planning seating arrangements to arranging the furniture for maximum comfort. Part 2 helps you plan your menu, while Part 3 offers suggestions on how to make a great impression on your guests. This is the chapter to come to if you're wondering just how to set the table or whether it's proper to eat asparagus with your hands. In Part 4, Entertaining for Dummies demonstrates that even ordinary occasions, such as the evening meal, can be social events, then segues into discussions of holiday parties, children's parties, and business entertaining. The last section is "the fun part" in which lots more menus are offered up along with some cooking tips and lots of great once-in-a-lifetime party ideas, such as a "Journey to Ancient Egypt" or a western-style harvest moon celebration. Entertaining for Dummies tells you everything you need to know to make every social gathering a roaring success.

From the Back Cover

"If you cannot entertain after reading this book, it is possible that you are hopeless and shall be condemned to wandering the earth alone forever." — Pat Conroy, Bestselling Novelist "A clear, concise road map to the art of successful and fun entertaining … invaluable." — Bob Woodrum, Managing Director, Kom-Ferry International "Grab is, read it, study it, and do what the authors suggest, and you will reap dividends you never dreamed possible." — Ida Crawford Stewart, Former Vice President of, and Personal Assistant to, Estée Lauder

Filled with Practical, Easy-to-Follow Advice for Planning Fabulous Parties!

Do you want to throw a holiday cocktail party next year but don't know where to start? Would you like to entertain the office crowd but you're not sure what kind of food to serve? Or do you just need some tips on making small talk? Don't stress! Let Entertaining For Dummies^™ bring fresh ideas to your social gatherings! Whether you'd like to host your daughter's sweet sixteen birthday party or invite your boss over for dinner, this handy reference will help you achieve entertaining success time and time again!

Inside, you'll discover how to:

• Plan and execute any event from holiday parties to family picnics to elegant black-tie dinners
• Put together a fabulous guest list and send distinctive invitations
• Design a balanced menu — regardless of whether you love to cook, hate to cook, or don't have time to cook
• Create a warm and comfortable atmosphere in any space
• Make your guests feel welcome and comfortable from the moment they walk in the door
• Boost your career by hosting a business gathering in your home
• Treat your family to special events such as picnics, surprise birthday parties, and Sunday dinners
• Host themed events such as costume parties, tropical escapes, or trips back in time
• Manage a large party without blowing your budget or losing your mind

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (September 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764550276
• ISBN-13: 978-0764550270
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 1t's 10 years old, and needs to be updated!, December 8, 2006

By 

I. Seligman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Entertaining for Dummies (Paperback)

This was ok 10 years ago, now in desperate need of updating.

One could cut out over half the chatty words, and make a better written 2nd edition. Pictures of settings, garnishing, updated information and recipes, etc would bring it up to snuff with the many other, newer books on entertaining, that you'd be much, much happier with.

Mrs. Williamson knew her stuff back then in the 90's when this was written; why embarass yourself entertaining today from this now out of date book, with the style of the 80's and 90's?

Better yet, try one of a dozen or so Entertaining books out on the shelves. This is on sale for less than fifty cents for a reason. I would wait for a 2nd edition, rather than settle for this first edition.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for instilling courage, January 7, 2002

By 

Leslie Farnsworth - See all my reviews

This review is from: Entertaining for Dummies (Paperback)

I've always been a party-goer, not a party-thrower. Why? Throwing a party scared the heck out of me. Far, far too much could go wrong, and I felt that nothing could be more devastating for a relatively shy person than a disasterous party. Yet as I've moved around a number of times, I've realized that there's no better way to meet people than at a party, and that it's silly to wait for the parties to come to me.

There's no doubt that this book is basic, but it was just what I needed. It demystified the entertaining process, showing me that even I could throw a memorable bash. Sure, the authors say, things will go wrong, but there are ways to handle them.

This book includes sample menus, suggestions on how to have fun at your party by planning and cooking (or buying) ahead, and a step-by-step guide through a variety of parties. At the last page, I felt inspired and excited about throwing a party--entirely a new feeling for me!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Best-Party book out in the stories, June 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Entertaining for Dummies (Paperback)

I give Suzanne Willamson and Linda Smith a pat on the back with a great job in writing the all-purpose entertaining guide. They covered everything very well and the forward by the renowed author, Pat Conroy, was superb. If you are looking for a book for enertaining, no matter the occasion ,Enertaining for Dummies is the book to get.