Leave the stress of party planning at the door. Jo Caruana addresses the rules of hosting a great party, ensuring that, on the night, you’ll be just as happy to attend.

If you get the planning part right, then you’ll be in calm, wonderful waters as your party gets going.

I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for a party. The great news? This is the perfect time of year to go for it. The shops have begun filling themselves with sparkly dresses, the evenings are drawing in (which means a night-time event can actually be held after dark) and everyone wants to do anything that’s not a BBQ.

The bad news? I am not really in the mood to plan a party – all that organising can quickly ruin your mojo if you’re not careful.

But, with a party on my mind, I decide to get over it and seek out the best ways to make hosting as happy a process as possible. Thus, I am inspired. Striking while the iron is hot, I jot down some ideas. You see, according to the top party planners out there, this is where all the magic happens – at planning stage. If you get this bit right, then you’ll be in calm, wonderful waters as it all gets going.

The guest list – a key priority – can actually prove to be quite a headache. Depending on the sort of event you want to have, you will have different issues to contend with. For instance, if you only want to have a little gathering, you need to ensure you invite enough people to fill the room but not too few that it ends up just being you, your best friend, and your cat. Similarly, a large party can quickly get out of hand if everyone brings a guest (or seven) and you’ve only made enough punch to fill one round of those small plastic glasses.

As an aside, it makes sense to contact the guests you really want (or need) to be there well ahead of schedule, and to ask them to pencil your party in. As for everyone else, it is best to give them at least three weeks’ notice, especially if this is going to be a weekend event. The rule book it seems, suggests that you should call people on the phone to invite them first, and then follow that up with an email or letter. That said, social media has also provided easy ways to invite your guests and most people are accustomed to sorting their schedule out online.

Once you’ve got your guest list sorted, food and drink will quickly become the order of the day. After all, if you’ve got the food and drink right, then most people will be happy.

Social media has provided easy ways to invite your guests and most people are accustomed to sorting their schedule out online

Your numbers and theme will set many of the parameters. Is this a champagne dinner for your nearest and dearest, or a bottle party for the masses? Are you serving up endless intricate courses, or simply popping down some nibbles so people can graze? These questions will guide you naturally, but do try to stay within your comfort zone. Dinner parties aren’t the ideal times to try out whacky new recipes you’ve seen on the telly; they’re the opportunity to show off what you do well – like a delicious baked pasta or hot dip.

As a courtesy, you should also think outside the box when it comes to what your guests will want, or be able, to eat. Are any of them vegetarian or vegan? Do they have food intolerances or are there ingredients they don’t like?

Are they pregnant or not drinking? Of course, the wider your menu, the less you will have to worry because there will be something for everyone, but it is best to think ahead.

Beyond the food and drinks, you will also have to think about the things to put them in. Careful planning in this respect will mean that you won’t be worrying about plates, bowls, cutlery and cups on the night. If needs be, get disposable items that you can throw away (as this will also save on cleaning up time), or borrow from your friends. Unless this is a posh dinner party, it’s probably not the best time to bring out your wedding dinner set or the crockery you inherited from you great aunt, so stick to the simplest possible option.

Last but not least, think of the entertainment. It may be your laptop playing commercial hits in the corner, or you may actually want to bring a band or DJ in.

Either way, it’s important to consider this as the atmosphere will totally set the scene. When your guests walk in you want them to enjoy the wow factor, whatever it is – from a beautifully-set table in your dinning room to an acoustic guitarist in your living room.

Now. It’s party time!

Top tips for effortless party planning

• Start planning early. Get your guest list, venue, food, drinks and entertainment organised, and send out your invitations as early as possible.

• Set a theme. This will help you in all sorts of ways, from choosing the dress code to planning the menu. Even a loose thread of a theme could be just enough to underpin the whole event.

• Consider your guests and what will make them happy, but also host the party that makes you happy. This is your party and you make the rules.

• Do you need help? Ask for it. You may have enough support around you already, or it may be better to hire someone to cater or clean up. Don’t shy away from this reality as the alternative could really bring you down.

• Enjoy yourself. After everything is said and done, a happy host will make a happier atmosphere. Once the planning is done and the party’s started, relax and go with the flow.