Discover the secrets of ... the perfect weekend break.

Dig out your fancy frocks and polish your dancing shoes: the party season's about to kick off with a popping of corks and a clinking of glasses!

While throwing the perfect party is always a great idea in theory, if you're the one who has to plan it, what felt like a sparkling idea can start to lose some if its fizz. But whether it's a family party, a gathering of friends or a knees-up for work colleagues, with a little organisation and a lot of festive cheer it's easy to throw the party of the century... and enjoy it too!

Click on the categories below for hints and tips on how to throw four fabulously different events.

Cocktail Party

Cocktail parties are like the sophisticated older sister of the house party: fun, exciting and uber-stylish. And with so many cocktail choices, there's something for everyone's taste!

  • Guest list: These kind of gatherings can be expensive to put on, so try to keep your guest list on the small side.
  • Food: Cocktail parties are all about the cocktails, so limit food to nibbles or canapés.
  • Drink: Base spirits are vodka, gin, rum, whisky and tequila, with Quantro, Grand Marnier, Khalua as additional extras. Orange juice, cola, soda, tonic, ginger ale, tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce are essential mixers and lemons, limes, cherries are the best garnishes. Have a variety of glasses on offer as different drinks require different receptacles.
  • Dress code: There's no such thing as a casual cocktail party, so make sure everyone knows they should look as fabulous as possible.
  • Entertainment: Mp3 compilations are ideal for providing tailored background music.
  • Finishing touches: Cocktail stirrers, ice crushing machines and glass decorations will all add the finishing je ne sais quoi to the soirée. Create your own mini-menus so that people can get shaking and stirring themselves.
  • Don't forget to Make tonnes and tonnes of ice!
  • Make it easy by Splitting the cost with friends!