Ultimate Party Planner

A ‘great get togethers’ idea is born

by Marna Krajeski

Over the years, I’ve observed the different ways women plan events in their homes. I had no system except stray notes fluttering around the kitchen and a million details crammed into my brain. Then I came across a workbook called “the Ultimate Party Planner.” It was a copy shop project designed by an Army wife whom I knew to be an excellent hostess. She wanted an efficient way to keep track of menus and guest lists, so she created a spiral bound book filled with blank worksheets – “the ultimate way to plan any event.” What a great idea – and I found it on the clearance table at the Fort Campbell Museum shop.

I’ve used it for 10 years. The first thing I planned was a birthday celebration for my husband right after a PCS. I invited three couples, made two hors d’oeuvres and bought a cheesecake. Simple is my style, but I found the workbook gave me a sense of mastery over details even for small gatherings.

Not only is it an easy way to capture guest lists, menus, and supplies in one place, but it memorialized a spontaneous party I might have forgotten. When I thumb through my book now, I recall sitting around the patio table with long-time friends, votive candles flickering as we finished off the clam dip. 

It’s become a scrapbook for me, reminding me of the scary Halloween sleepover we planned for my son’s sixth birthday, or the Girl Scout lunch Elena had at the house with her troop. It’s a journal of wonderful memories – the Asian fusion pot-luck with the ladies in my supper club, an al fresco dinner with another couple to harvest my summer basil and tomato crop, a cookout when my mom, aunts, and uncles stopped by during their East Coast cruise.

The bound record also serves as a handy kitchen notebook to record notes for future reference. For example, after a family Valentine’s dinner of beef bourguignon, I wrote, “One filet isn’t enough for a man. Make sure meat is room temp before broiling.” Our dessert that night was chocolate dipped strawberries and I scrawled, “Smaller strawberries work best!” If I ever use that menu again, I’ll have a head start. Military units keep continuity books on training to learn from the past, why shouldn’t we?
 
Great Get-Togethers is Born
When a friend and I realized we both used the same planner book, we started discussing modifications. I needed more room for tasks on the day of the event. She wanted space to paste photos and invitations. I wanted a pocket for clippings and recipe cards. She suggested we make it a two-page spread. 

We sketched layouts. That’s when “Great Get-Togethers” was born. I came up with a prototype and showed it to other military wives who chimed in with their suggestions: “Put nametags in the supply list,” April said, “and batteries for the camera.”

“Don’t forget candles, an ice bucket and recycling bins,” Sheila added, “and a reminder to empty the dishwasher beforehand.” Like a pitch-in dinner, “Great Get-Togethers” was a group effort. I’ve always said socializing over food was one of my favorite traditions in the military, and this new planner has made it a lot easier.
 
Marna Krajeski is the author of two books about military family life. “Great Get-Togethers: A Planner, Organizer and Keepsake for Creating Memorable Events” is available at her Web site www.householdbaggage.com.