It’s Your Party, Enjoy It!

Are you hosting a holiday gathering this year, or planning a future event? The Crawfordsville District Public Library has materials to help you plan a magnificent and stress-free party for any audience or occasion.

Year after year, hosts take the weight of preparing for the perfect experience. Guests traditionally expect savory meals, festive decorations, and pleasant activities that create fond memories. Take the pressure off by mindfully planning your occasion, your way.

What is the basic theme of your special occasion? Begin by planning around the moment. “You’re So Invited: Panic Less, Play More, and Get Your Party On” (793.2 Naj) by Cheryl Najafi provides 10 party themes that include recipes, activities, and helpful tips. Amy Sedaris’s book “I Like You” (793.2 Sed) explores themes beyond the average gathering by discussing how to entertain unexpected guests and even a party-for-one. If you are looking to have a party for no reason, check out “Celebrate Everything! Fun Ideas to Bring Your Parties to Life” (793.2 Mil) by Darcy Miller. If you are submerged in fandom, reflect on your magical dream party in Jennifer Carroll MacNeill‘s “Feasts & Festivities: An Official Book of Magical Celebrations, Crafts, and Party Food Inspired by the Wizarding World” (793.2 Car).

Most people do not want to spend all their time preparing a large meal. “That Cheese Plate Wants to Party” (641.373 Mullen) by Marissa Mullen offers easy solutions by simplifying the menu. Jamie Oliver insists you can produce savory dishes with “5 Ingredients” (641.512 Oli). It is acceptable to request that your guests bring a delightful dish, or design a party where you cook together. “Cooking Up a Storm: The Teen Survival Cookbook” (j 641.5 Ste) by Sam Stern offers easy, real food solutions for cooking together or alone.

It is dire to know your guests and their limitations. Jenna Short believes that everyone deserves delicious foods regardless of their restrictions, and she makes it easy to understand in her book “Cooking Allergy-Free: Simple Inspired Meals for Everyone” (641.5 Sho).

A successful gathering includes your guests’ favorite traditions while incorporating new ideas. Of course, we still have admired favorites like “Martha Stewart’s Menus for Entertaining” (642.4 Ste) and “Betty Crocker’s Entertaining Basics: Learning to Entertain with Confidence” (642.4 Cro).

Entertainment for your guests is frequently a forgotten last-minute task. Inserting personalized place cards within your table setting, or gifting double-sided trivia ornaments can provide a nostalgic memory for your guests with little effort. Consider designing a fun game with “The Holly Jolly Christmas Quiz Book” (793.73 Hol).

Looking for an after-dinner activity? Set up a dim room with gentle background music and solve a murder! “Murder Most Puzzling: Twenty Mysterious Cases to Solve” (793.73 Von) by Stephanie von Reiswitz is a fantastic resource with intriguing storylines and interesting illustrations. We also have several other books about role-playing games and group activities.

If you are interested in learning more about party planning, join us on October 28^th at 6:30 pm in Meeting Room D for Cookbook Club, a social club for cookbook lovers. We will begin with a short presentation, followed by an open discussion and recipe sharing. A variety of cookbooks from our collection will be brought to the meeting. Bring a friend. Bring a recipe.

If you feel distressed this holiday season and would like guidance, please call the NIH at 1-866-615-6464 to access information about professional care and other mental health resources. If you feel you are having a mental health crisis and need immediate assistance, call or text 988, or live chat at 988lifeline.org (SAMHSA).

For more information about our upcoming programs, please explore more of our website or call us at 765-362-2242. CDPL’s current hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 1-5pm.