What’s Your Entertaining Style?

Martha Stewart

Rachael Ray

Diddy

Paris Hilton

Standing electric mixer

Glue gun

Stack of menus from restaurants that deliver

Cute wine bag for last-minute gifts

Eggs Benedict — making hollandaise from scratch is worth the effort

A frittata — it’s are easy to prepare, can be served at room temperature and looks great

Bagels and cream cheese with all the fixings

Coffee and whatever’s in the fridge

Fountain pen

Photo printer

Telephone

Calendar

A multi-course affair

A meal that can be prepared in advance

A potluck

One that’s at someone else’s house

Open the seams, add fabric and turn them into a hip skirt

Make them into shorts

Hire a seamstress to do something with them

Give them to someone who might use them

Custom-ordered. I like crisp, white cards written in calligraphy.

Handmade. I design and print them out myself.

Simple. I place a special napkin or glass at each person’s seat.

At someone else’s party. I just hope I am seated next to the host!

Detail-oriented

Clever

Casual

Helpful

Individually prepared, shaken and strained specialty cocktails

A self-serve bar stocked with liquors, glasses, ice and garnishes — plus a few easy recipes guests can stir up themselves

Pitchers of easy libations made with store-bought drink mix

An invitation to meet at a fun local bar