It’s the weekend…don’t leave home without this friendly companion from the expert who penned Great Entertaining. Here is a handy reference that simplifies all of the details of Great Weekend Entertaining for setting up a weekend retreat to be both comfortable and easy for host and guest.

This fun and witty book will inspire the thoughtful host and favorite guest alike with practical tips such as the following:

-Organizing for hassle-free house parties
-Cooking smarts and shortcuts
-Picnic pointers
-The sanity-saving “Activities Book”
-Parlor games and other diversions
-To-do’s for the inevitable rainy day
-House presents and gift baskets
-Penning the perfect thank-you note
-Creative and amusing weekend theme parties

Great Entertaining takes up where cookbooks leave off—providing a wealth of knowledge on party planning and party giving culled from successful hosts, caterers, florists, and other party professionals.

Drawing upon her own experience as an entertaining specialist, Bettie Bearden Pardee has distilled these practical suggestions and pointers into a quick and easy reference guide. At a glance, you will get an overview of such entertaining essentials as the following:

-Creating the guest list
-Deciphering a party rental contract
-Entertaining in small spaces
-Decorating and organizing secrets
-Pre-party checklists
-Hostess gifts—and what to give and what NOT to give
-Conversational gambits for surviving a party bore
-Easy, elegant, and economical floral choices

And most inviting of all—how to have fun at your own party.