Fancy Party SERIES FINALE

Part 3 of the Fancy Party series is here! This is dealing with tell people what to bring, because they'll ask,  and some fun outfit ideas for making yourself look pretty. Because it's IMPORTANT.

WHAT CAN I BRING?

People will ask this, and I want you to be prepared. If you don't tell them, they'll bring something anyway, and it might be something you already have.

Booze! People love booze, and if they bring it, you know at least one person will be drinking it.

Chips! Yup, just ask them to bring a bag or two or tortilla chips. You can put them out away from the buffet with salsa and guacamole for people to munch on.

Napkins! If you can already tell you're running low on napkins, ask them to bring a stack. Same holds true for cups, plates, and flatware.

Serveware! Hey, if you're desperate, ask if they have a big bowl/chip and dip set/platter/wooden cutting board you can borrow for the evening.

Ice! You know, just in case you run out.

Labor! If you can already tell you're going to need some serious help, ask to talk to someone's teenager. Say for $10 an hour you need them to stay in the kitchen and heat things up as needed, as well as grabbing abandoned plates/glasses and restocking the buffet. If you ask nicely, most will even do some dishes and take out the trash. Just be sure you pay them in cash at the end of the night, thank them, and let them eat. Ask their parents if it's okay first. If the parents are all "oh it isn't necessary to pay them", explain to the kid when they get there that you're paying them so that they'll do the job, and if they get drunk you're going to tell on them.

Vases! In case you accidentally bought more flowers than you can handle.

Folding tables/chairs! We had a $15 folding table from Target that saw many parties, and you can easily use one as your bar (cover it with a tablecloth first). Folding chairs are for when lots of people need to sit down and you're out of furniture.

Games! Yup, save yourself some cash and have them bring Apples to Apples or any other board game they think would be fun. Also, you know that at least one person will want to play it.

Pizza! This is if everything goes to hell in a handbasket and you have no food to serve because everything is ruined. It's a desperate Plan B, but it's always good to have one. Just in case.

If they brought something you didn't even kind of ask for! Alright, so lets say someone brings a huge mass of flowers, but you already have all the flowers done, and you're panicking. My personal plan is always to find someone really type A and let them handle it. Or, if your type A friend isn't there yet, shove them into multiple glasses and just start shoving them everywhere. Cover the tv, in your bookshelves, and the windowsills. If they brought a dish or dessert that's already being served, take yours off the buffet and put it in the fridge. Say something like "score! Now I can save my Mac and cheese/brownies for tomorrow when I definitely won't feel like cooking!" If they haven't seen yours yet, lie and say you didn't make any, or that you burnt it. Make sure you compliment their dish, too. If they bring wine, pop it open and serve it. Honestly, a bottle only makes 4 generous glasses, so even if it isn't great, it won't last long. Champagne, save for another day. It's weird if only 4 people have champagne and others see it but you don't have more. 

YOURSELF

Yup, you need some prep as well. In the morning, iron/steam/make presentable whatever you plan on wearing that night. Hang it up somewhere with the least amount of chaos, along with your shoes and accessories. I tend to do my makeup when I'm about 3 hours away from people arriving, that way since it takes me an hour and a half to get ready, I know I won't be caught in my bathrobe when the early helpers arrive.

Don't put on your shoes until you hear the doorbell. You'll be thankful around hour 4 of standing up. It doesn't matter that it's your house YOU CANNOT WEAR SLIPPERS.

I'm going to group animals in this as well. If your animals are highly sociable and friendly, you can leave them out, but make sure they've had a huge amount of exercise that afternoon. People will love your dog, but they won't be impressed when it jumps on them upon entering or knocks their plate out of their hands. Personally, I tend to hide away the animals. Lock them in a bedroom with food, water, and a litter box (if it's a cat), then turn on the TV to Animal Planet if you're worried they'll get bored. If your dog hates being locked away in a back room but hates people, ask a neighbor you've invited if the dog can stay at their house for the party, especially if they also have a dog your dog likes.

For a casual, summertime dinner party, this outfit would be adorable

This is more for a fancy cocktail dinner party, save this for a special occasion, like a holiday party. And yes flats because you won't be sitting down for long during this party.

Classic casual, good for various degrees of formality.

Remember, it's your party, and you can do whatever you want. Share any tips and tricks you have for party planning in the comments.

Now go be festive!