The Family Party Book

By Caryl Krueger

Abingdon Press, $14.95

ISBN 0687015413

Roll Out The Welcome Mat

Review by Marilyn Wauford

Is entertaining a trauma at your house? Are you eager to have parties but tired of doing the same old thing? Well, get a copy of Caryl Krueger's The Family Party Book and let's party! Whether it's a children's party, an anniversary celebration, a bridal shower, a Thanksgiving reunion, or an office party, to name a few, this carefully organized step-by-step guide will help and inspire you.

You get the idea for how to start in the opening pages with "Ten Rules for Entertaining with Ease." The one I needed to read was Rule three: Don't be the Little Red Hen and try to do it all yourself. Krueger also advises entertainers not to wait for something momentous to celebrate. Have lots of parties before you have to celebrate your golden anniversary!

In this day of casual drop-ins for meals with church friends or family, much of Krueger's detailed counsel and lists for special events may seem like too much to undertake. However, she has such a friendly and practical tone and so many good ideas, you're soon planning right along with her. Just remember rule one when you're beginning: Start with a small intimate affair. Once you have that size event mastered, you can move up to bigger parties. I'm at the eight-people level, myself.

The last chapter, 99 Ideas for Successful Parties, is a terrific thought-stirrer. From Invitations to Games and Activities to Themes to Favors and Gifts, this combination of specific tips and general ideas is chock-full of super nuggets for making an occasion special. I would never have thought to buy an American flag for my uncle who's so hard to please if Krueger hadn't suggested it.

The chapter on making a special occasion out of no big occasion is really good. Lots of events and milestones roll by among our family members and friends which we could celebrate with a little party-bon voyage when friends are moving, a "no-watch" retirement party, an election day party (November 5th is coming up), or the one I'm planning now -- a neighborhood street party. Krueger has lots of suggestions for this one like having every guest or family bring ten photos of what they've done this past year, setting up a cracker whistling contest, and bringing recipes to share. We'll have so much fun, and we never would have done it without The Family Party Book. I recommend this book to help celebrate good times.

Marilyn Wauford is a party-giver and reviewer from Roanoke, VA.