the guest list

No matter how you plan to offer your invitations, you must first have a guest list. A pad and pencil are the first requisites.

write it down
We've talked about kinds of parties and about whom you invite to your parties, but you will think a good deal about party and guests be­fore you set about inviting. When you're getting close to the decision stage in your thinking, have that pad and pencil handy. Write down the name of everyone you'd like to ask. If you're very hospitable, you can then pare down the list to the number you're able to have. Save any names you've had to eliminate because of space or other hard material reasons. If some of your first string ran't make it, you then have a sub­stitute list handy. Consider your list well in relation to the kind of party and think how the people on it will get along with each other. When you're sure they're the right guests (and as much depends on the guests you invite as on all the rest of your well-made plans), invite them. An informal invitation is always given by the hostess, unless a single gentleman is having the party. Never ask your husband to telephone another woman's husband in town and invite him to a party. Either call her on the telephone, wherever she lives, or write her a note.

be specific
In giving invitations of any kind always be as specific as possible about what kind of party it's going to be, what time you expect your guests, and what sort of clothes they should wear. This is part of the ground-work tor a successful party. Too much embarrassment is caused for you and your guests by forgetting to give them this elementary in­formation.

surprises-but not many
For house guests it is particularly important that they know the kind of week end you're planning. You don't need to go into every detail to do this; it's nice to have some surprises. But you should say: "We spend most of the daylight hours at the beach, so your most important clothes will be bathing suits and whatever you like to go with them. On Satur­day night we're going to a party at the club. You can wear a long or short dress and men wear sport or white dinner jackets. Also, we're hoping the weather will let us cook at our outdoor fireplace at least once, so your oldest slacks or shorts, or whatever else you like, will be good to have. Otherwise, any simple summer clothes are perfect." This will do practically everything but put the right clothes, stuffed with tissue paper, into your guests' bags for them!