As a professional party planner, I know how far in advance of my events to secure the caterer, purchase invitations and chill drinks but for others, figuring out a myriad of tasks may be daunting. If you fall in the latter category, you can relax. You have two options - contact me to plan your next special event or use the handy checklist provided by evite, the leading online invitation company.

Evite's party checklist includes a lot of tasks divided up into The Essentials, Invite Guests, Prepare to Celebrate and On Your Party Day for birthdays, cocktail parties, showers and just-because parties.

To give you an idea, I created a checklist for an informal birthday party for my husband and I on Sunday, July 1. A few of my 'to-do list' tasks reminded me to take inventory of my parties supplies and kitchen items and to rent or purchase the missing items; purchase non-perishable food and drinks two weeks before and perishable foods except meat and seafood (and bread!) two days before the party; and get dressed for the party but consider wearing an apron. Oh, and the best - 'Relax, smile and have fun!'