Keep the room cool (65 degrees) people hate to eat and mingle in a hot room
Prepare something less demanding, so you can relax with guests rather than be stuck in the kitchen the whole time
Have a self service bar, people like to make their own drinks just how they like them and it gets people interacting with each other; set out ice buckets filled bottles of beer and wine, you don't want people to have to leave an interesting group to get a drink
Prep as much of the meal ahead of time - you'll avoid having all your guests crowd into your kitchen trying to keep you company
Have music playing, candles lit and drinks ready to serve before the first guest arrives, it sets the tone for the evening
Cut crudites the night before, wrap in a damp paper towel and store in plastic bags in the fridge - it'll be perfectly crispy and ready to go!
Use unusual items in your home in different ways for serving pieces - put cherry tomatoes in a vase, "stand up" your crudites in a glass, put dip in a martini or wine glass, use a colorful scarf or wrap as a table runner, use a galvanized paint bucket for ice, - use items that will give your table height!
Don't leave everything until the day of the party; it's no fun to be rushing when guests arrive
Don't make a big deal out of saying goodbye to guests; it disrupts the flow of a party
Don't play music at a high volume, you should feel that it's there but not feel as though you have to yell to talk over it


Libby's Table Decor - simple yet spectacular!

All white flowers mixed in vases or in individual containers
Use Tablecloths, they set an elegant feel even for a casual evening
A miniature flower arrangement at each seat on the dining table
A bed of leaves or moss down the center of the table, layered with baby artichokes, pomegranates, pears, grapes and candles
Small seckle pears at each seat with place card wedged into slit, and tie the stem with a small red bow
Branches of wild berries, evergreens, apple blossoms or dog wood in a tall vase
Small silver mint julep cups filled with fresh herbs and tied with a cream satin bow
A grapevine wreath filled with a variety of fresh grapes. Surround the outer edges with grape leaves and a variety of cheeses for a beautiful cheese platter


Libby's Home Decor - deck your halls!

Drape mantles, staircases and doorways with holly, mistletoe, rosemary and white candles
Use juniper berries, aspen flowers, chestnuts, magnolia leaves, pine cones and rosehips everywhere
Light the house only with candlelight
Set a bright red orchid stem all the way inside a tall glass cylinder vase and put just enough water in the bottom to keep the cut stem wet
Fill big glass bowls full of clementines, pomegranates and baby artichokes
Put tall white gladiolas or calla lilies in a tall glass cylinder vase and fill the bottom third of the vase with fresh cranberries
Make a small wreath of sleigh bells with a billowy satin ribbon and hang on your doorknob to announce holiday visitors
Put a small saucepan on the stove, fill with mulling spices, orange peel and water - heat it to simmer, it will fill your home with holiday cheer!
Fill your mantle with green garland, tons of pillar candles and artificial grapes and pears - an indoor holiday landscape!
Have a Polaroid camera on hand, take pictures when guests walk in, (you can also pass this job off to one of your more outgoing single friends) tape the pictures onto blank pages in a diary. Have guests write a little something next to their picture on the page before they leave, it gets people talking and it gives you a fun keepsake of your party!

Throw a party "just because", you don't have to have a big reason - you can do something as simple as order sushi and serve wine; have a dessert party and serve champagne; serve chili and beer... Have fun with friends and family, it's all good!