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The 30-Minute Guide to Getting Your Home Ready for GuestsPreparing for a party always takes longer than you expect. Here are 10 expert tricks to make the most of that last half hour.
By Ruth Baron, Amber Kallor and Lynn Andriani
Photo: Thinkstock
A Kids' Table Is a Gift to Grown-UpsMelissa Marchwick, executive vice president of the babysitting service Sittercity, points out that some parents can't attend holiday parties because it's such a high-demand time for babysitters. If you've invited families to your party, you might want to consider hiring someone to look after the kids. "Once you've got a sitter," Marchwick says, "she can keep them out of the parents' hair. She can also be an extra pair of hands in preparation." Regardless of whether you get a sitter, you will want to designate a space like a corner or a table for your littler guests, giving adults time to mingle and children a chance to interact with each other. Nonparent hosts will be happy to learn that children continue to be entertained with household items like paper, markers, glue, scissors and "decorations" (aka macaroni, beans, pennies and nickels). Though again, consider the ages of your guests: With infants and toddlers, be wary of choking hazards. Related ResourcesKeep Reading
Excerpt from True Compass: A MemoirRead the prologue, The Torch, from the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's memoir, True Compass.
The Party-Thrower's Guide to...EverythingNine notable hosts serve up a great big platterful of festive, opinionated, contradictory advice on entertaining.
Throw the Perfect OscarĀ® PartyDesigner Isaac Mizrahi shares his picture perfect tips for your party!
Party Ideas Your Friends Will LoveOut of party-planning ideas? From mix-your-own sundaes, custom-made perfume, and euphoria-inducing massages, we've got a smorgasboard of indulgent ideas guaranteed to get your next party started.
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