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I love the idea of having friends over. I like the planning and the scrambling. I think for me it is a bit like running a race – kind of painful preparing, but always worth it! It is easy to get overwhelmed with what may seem like a lot of details in the planning. If you break the planning and preparation up into smaller parts, then you will see that entertaining friends in your home on a Saturday night can truly be an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Here are some of the steps to entertaining in your home.

• Decide on the menu. This will indicate how formal the evening should be.
• Create the guest list. Will it be an intimate gathering or more of a party?
• Decide on a date and time.
• Invite your guests. The final number will help you know how much food you’ll need to prepare.
• Create a shopping list. Don’t forget the beverages, napkins, and even candles.
• Make your cleaning list. I love having people over because it is one of the few times that I am truly motivated to deep clean my house. Look at it as an opportunity!
• Plan some entertainment. Browse through your favorite tunes to find some appropriate music. Rent a movie for the kids. Dust off a game or two.
• Make ahead anything that can be made ahead: dessert, cut vegetables, casserole or soup.
• Create a timeline so that you are not preparing up to the minute your guests arrive.
• Enjoy! This is supposed to be fun, remember? Relax and enjoy old or new friends.

ListPlanIt.com has many of the pages you need to plan a fantastic evening with friends. You’ll find party planning pages, grocery lists, cleaning lists, and even a timeline to plot your preparation and party, all in Holidays & Occasions.  Not yet a member?  Join today and get organized for all your upcoming occasions.