Who's Invited?

Once you have a budget in place, decide on how many and which guests to invite. Keep these pointers in mind as you put together your guest list:

• If the occasion permits you to adjust the number of people you invite, decide on whether to treat a few guests lavishly or invite a crowd and keep the cost per person low.
• Make sure the number of people you invite is appropriate for the size of your home. For an extra-large party, you may want to rent a banquet room, reserve a shelter house at a park, or perhaps set up a tent in the backyard.
• The right mix of people at your party is as important as the right food and decorations. Decide whether to invite guests who have common interests or a group that has wide-ranging interests. A dinner party for your boss may require that the guests have similar interests. On the other hand, part of the fun of a holiday open house is that everyone is different.
• A mix of ages can spark lively conversation.
• Don't try to repay all your social obligations in one party. You'll find it hard to spend quality time with each guest.
• Keep the likes and dislikes of your guests in mind. Don't invite your neighbor who dislikes Oriental food to a four-course Japanese dinner.