How to plan a memorable get-together

Make your guest list. When you're making your guest list, think about the people you'd like to introduce to each other. Keep in mind that the best parties are ones where there's a mix of personalities. Remember, you don't have to invite everyone you know to each gathering.

Consider your space. Parties in small spaces can be cozy and intimate. However, if you need more room, get creative. If you want to create an intimate atmosphere, move the furniture around to make a room more party-friendly. If you have a deck or backyard, plan on bringing refreshments and seating outdoors to encourage guests to linger in that additional space.

Make your budget. Decide how much you'd like to spend and assess what party items cost. This will help you make important decisions, like what type of food to serve (chips and dips vs. sushi, for example) or what type of party you want to have.

Think about a theme. Choosing a theme adds spark to any gathering and distinguishes it from the others. Themes can be seasonal (a harvest dinner party), activity-related (Karaoke party), or centered around a special occasion (baby shower or 50th anniversary). No need to be elaborate. You can keep it very simple with ideas like a "Mexican potluck supper" or "game night."

Invite your guests. Add a personal touch by printing your own invitations. You'll find several designs at the HP Activity Center that you can customize with your own photos and text. Print them on high-quality card stock for a boutique look. Ideally, mail them three to four weeks in advance. If you are short on time, send e-mail invitations through a free online service such as Evite .

Recruit help. Ask a friend or family member to help you prepare for the party. Your helper can contribute by making desserts, decorating the house, or setting the table.

Plan the menu with your theme in mind. For example, a harvest dinner party wouldn't be complete without autumn vegetables or pumpkin pie. If you're having a family get-together, you can center the menu around beloved family recipes and then put together a family cookbook for guests. Use the free cookbook page template from the HP Activity Center. Also, read the article "How to create a family cookbook" in the Invitations & stationery section of the Activity Center (located under "View all how-to articles"). If your theme is something more general such as a birthday, pick a type of food and structure the menu around that. For example, have a BBQ or serve different shapes of pasta with a choice of sauces.

Create atmosphere with decorations. You'll want your party space—whether it's your home, office or a rented hall—to look its very best. Your theme will help determine the decor. For the harvest dinner, you might go with a fall leaf motif. A fifth birthday will likely look a lot different from a 50th. Check out options in party supply stores. You can also print your own festive decorations using the party kits at the HP Activity Center. For some easy decorations, string lights around the house or yard, light lots of votive candles, and set out small bunches of fresh flowers. Birthdays call for streamers, balloons, and a big Happy Birthday banner.

Shop for nonperishables (paper goods, decorations, and non-refrigerated foods). Buy individual cans of soda, water, and other beverages so you can easily store leftovers.

Select music. Think about what people will be doing at the party and choose the music accordingly. If people will be seated around a dinner table talking, choose background music such as classical or jazz. If you'd like your guests to dance, be sure the music will get them moving. Make a few mixed CDs or create a party playlist on your MP3 player. Be sure to test the equipment several days before the party to see that everything is working.

Get the camera and photo printing supplies ready. If you plan on taking pictures or sending guests a photo memento of the event, make sure your digital camera has batteries and free memory, and that your printer has plenty of paper and ink. You can download photo frames from the HP Activity Center.

Shop for perishables such as bread, cheese, and flowers. Be sure you have enough refrigerator space to store anything with a limited shelf life.

Tidy up. Clean the house and refresh guest towels. If there will be kids or pets at the party, you may want to put away breakables. This is also the best time to move any large items that may be in the way.

Decorate the house and yard.

Provide clearly labeled containers for trash and recycling (to minimize cleanup after the party) and encourage people to use them.

Set aside space for anything that guests might bring: coats, gifts, food, beverages, etc.

Have plenty of extra glassware on hand or use wine charms to help guests identify which glass is theirs.

A half hour before guests arrive, set out snacks, open wine (start with just one or two bottles each of red and white to avoid waste), and light the candles.

As guests arrive, greet them and introduce them to at least one other person

Mingle! Make your guests feel special by spending time with them.

If someone brings food or drinks, share them with guests.

A spilled glass of wine or a broken dish—these things happen at parties. If something goes wrong, downplay it and don't let it spoil the fun.

Clean up as much as you can right after the party to lighten your load the next day.

If your budget allows, hire a housecleaner to come in the day after your party and get your house back in order.

Follow up with your guests by sharing photos from the party. It's easy to post pictures at Snapfish and invite friends and family to view them. You could also send out photo greeting cards or make a scrapbook to celebrate the event.