Party giving shows family and friends how much they are valued
By Leigh Crank Perry
“Party-giving isn’t simply a matter of trotting out the best china, the wedding-present linen, and hoping for the best. It is loving. It is giving. It is sharing. It is everybody’s chance to light a little candle in the sometimes gloomy corners of the world. Someone has said that life itself is a party; you join after it’s started and you leave before it’s finished.”
This perspective on entertaining comes from the world-famous American society hostess of the 1920’s-1960’s, Elsa Maxwell. In her book How to Do It or The Lively Art of Entertaining (Little, Brown, 1957), she shares anecdotes about headline-making friends like Maria Callas, Clark Gable, Cole Porter, and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, as well as her philosophy of party-giving.
“I believe [in] bringing into the world a little more laughter, a little more color, a little more warmth.... In party-giving it is not money but imagination that counts.”
Party-giving isn’t frivolous—it’s a way of showing your family and friends how much you value them. The time and energy you put into hosting an event in your home, office, church or club―be it small or large, casual or formal, for children or just adults―is a sign of your generosity and love. And it doesn’t have to cost too much!
If you would like to explore new ways to “light a little candle” of fun and caring through easy entertaining at home, school, church or club meetings, sign up for the two-night courses offered by party and event planner Leigh Crank Perry through the School of Continuing Studies.
Learn how to share a little love by becoming a more confident imaginative hostess!
Party-planner Leigh Crank Perry of Party Themes and Schemes teaches classes on planning and hosting parties through the School of Continuing Studies. To see courses that Perry is currently offering, visit the Home & Garden page of the SCS Website. Among other topics, Perry teaches classes on how to host tailgate parties, special buffets and cocktail parties; how to improve your Christmas tree decorating; and how to keep your holiday celebrations hassle-free.