Host a Chic Party Without Breaking the Bank

Cari Vaughn

Forget the tablecloths and worrying if you have enough chairs.

To keep relationships healthy (neighbors, colleagues, heck--even family, for that matter) you need to spend quality time with one another. No matter what. who or how social people claim to be--everyone craves bonding right now. With so much focus on the turned economy (many of us have halted Saturday nights out) letting romance and fun drift away.

To add some spice to your relationships, plan a February get together. Nothing fancy--just a reason to dim the lights, turn up the tunes and invest in ( or create) fulfilling relationships. Choose a theme for your food and assign everyone a big piece. Like a modern day, totally en-vogue, company potluck.

Consider my favorite party of the moment: a cheese + wine tasting. No main course, soup or salad. The focus is on the energy and the very relaxed hostess! Assign someone bring a hunk of manchengo, gorgonzola, brie--and so on; the other half of the party brings the wine to pair.

Your role? Set out wooden platters, crackers, sliced bread and dried fruit.

Bonus: cheese tastes best at room temperature and merely requires to be unwrapped! No dishes when everyone heads out.

Not sure how to pull it off? Find everything you need to know including swanky cheese tags: The Cheese Tasting Party Kit, $16.95, by Janet Fletcher.