Delia's party checklist

© NC WHAT TO DO IN ADVANCE
Plastic boxes and food bags; kitchen paper and foil; and clingfilm
Assemble the equipment you’ll need to store party food cooked in advance. Lidded plastic boxes of varying sizes are invaluable for keeping prepared ingredients separate in the fridge to prevent flavour tainting, and plastic food bags are useful when space is limited. A piece of wet kitchen paper popped into a box or bag helps keep herbs and salad leaves damp and fresh. Kitchen foil and clingfilm are handy for covering both ingredients and made-up dishes.

Ice
If you need to chill your bottles with ice, you will need about 1 lb (450 g) per person. Make it in batches and store it in bags in the freezer, or, if space is tight, ask your supermarket or off-licence to reserve you some bags of ice and collect it a few hours in advance (taking a cooler box with you)

Flowers
Order and collect

Menus, seating plan and place settings (if required)
Write, or design them on the computer

Music
Plan your choice of CDs or tapes

ON THE MORNING OF THE PARTY
Napkins
Tie or fold. Assemble cocktail napkins, if required

©  Table
Lay a cloth and assemble main, starter, side, cheese and dessert plates; cutlery; salt and pepper mills; a bread basket; butter dishes; napkins; and menus, a seating plan and place settings, as required

Glasses
Polish and set out on trays, ready to be filled

Flowers
Arrange around the room and on the table

© Candles or nightlights (if required)
Put in place around the room and on the table

Ashtrays (if required)
Put in place around the room

Tea cloths
Make sure you have plenty of clean cloths for kitchen tasks

Serving dishes and cutlery
Assemble in the kitchen

Coats
Clear coats from coat hooks, or decide on a bedroom where they can go

Guest cloakroom
Assemble toilet paper, hand towels, tissues, a scented candle and flowers

BEFORE YOUR GUESTS ARRIVE
Drinks
Chill bottles in the fridge, if you have space, or on ice, if not – put them into a large plastic container (or a couple of washing-up bowls) an hour before the party, pour over the ice and add some cold water.

Wine buckets or coolers
Assemble or chill, as appropriate

Rubbish bins
Empty all bins for the final time

Dishwasher
Empty and put away the contents

Music
Put on a CD or tape

Lighting and heating (if appropriate)
Adjust to suit

Candles or nightlights
Light

Cushions
Plump up

Shower, dress, pour yourself a cool drink or a glass of wine and relax!
Enjoy!