Sit-down for 50 or stand-up-and-mingle for 100? Saturday night or Sunday afternoon? Themes, flowers, music? Nine notable hosts  serve up a great big platterful of festive, opinionated, contradictory advice on entertaining.

What's the best time to throw a party?

Is there a kind of party that you never want to give?

Are sit-down dinners really a thing of the past? Who sits where?

Is it corny to have a theme?

What's the deal on music?

What are you drinking?

How do you have fun at your own party?

What was your biggest party mishap?

Do you believe in flower power?

• More on how to enjoy your own party from Ina Garten

From the November 2003 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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