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.

Dinner Party

Perfect for small, intimate groups of friends or family, dinner parties are ideal if you're a culinary wizard.

  • Guest list: Catering for more than eight guests will be hard work, not to mention tight on space.
  • Food: Hosts and hostesses, this is your chance to really shine! Plan your menu well in advance to ensure you have all the ingredients, nipping out to the local shop an hour before guests arrive is a dinner party no-no. Starter, main course, dessert and coffee is the menu to work towards, but you could add a fish course, sorbet or cheese course if your budget and expertise allow.
  • Drink: Research what wines will complement your dishes and look out for offers in supermarkets. An aperitif or cocktail on arrival will provide the ideal chance for guests to meet and greet before the main event.
  • Dress code: Unless you're really relaxed, smart dress is the norm for soirees such as these - you don't want to have slaved away in the kitchen for hours only for someone to turn up in jeans and a t-shirt! If you're specifying black tie, make sure everyone knows well in advance so they can get things dry cleaned and if necessary hire a tux.
  • Entertainment: Make compilations of background music but steer clear of anything too heavy. You don't want to ruin your carefully-planned ambiance!
  • Finishing touches: Making the table look truly exquisite is relatively easy. Arrange flowers and candles in the middle of the table, scatter silver and gold star confetti, and print out or make place names and mini-menus. Plan the seating arrangements boy-girl-boy-girl, then at the end of each course, ask the men to move two settings to the right so that guests get the chance to mingle. If your budget allows, why not buy a small table present for everyone?
  • Don't forget to Introduce people properly if they've not met before!
  • Make it easy by Splitting courses with friends - ask someone to bring a starter, you do the main, then ask someone else to bring the dessert.