JLife’s ultimate party guide is packed with essential tips, gift ideas, details of local party specialists, plus fantastic giveaways.

Whether you’re the host or the guest, parties can muster a sense of mild panic: What to wear? What to prepare? Where to go? What to do?...

Fear not, JLife’s ultimate party guide can provide answers to your questions with listings of local specialists, from venues and event management companies to invitation and decoration suppliers. The diverse mix of experts can cater for a broad range of needs whatever your party requirements, from a big bash for over 100 guests to a low-key house party, and everything in between.

There are plenty of ways to ensure your party stands out from the crowd and is remembered for the right reasons. Why not wow guests with an amazing light show or add a little something extra with a photo booth or bespoke flower decorations? If you simply don’t have time to pour over the countless options, an event management specialist could be the answer to stress-free party planning.

The festive season is also the time to indulge in all things glamorous and gorgeous. We have details of beauty experts who can give you the party look that’s right for you, as well as the latest pampering treatments to calm pre-party nerves and replenish post-party. Don’t forget to enter our competition for a chance of winning Halton Pharmacy’s post-party pamper pack.

Celebrate Chanukah, Christmas and the New Year in style…

Have a Tip Top Party!
Top tips to help ensure your party’s practicalities are covered.

• Making sure everyone at your party has enough to eat and drink is essential, while too many leftovers can be a sight for sore eyes. One way to get the portions spot on is to use the party portion calculator at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com. Simply select the type of food you’ll be preparing from one of the categories, specify the number of people you’re cooking for and the online calculator will do the rest.
• If you’d rather opt for party nibbles as opposed to a sit down meal, canapés that look as appealing as they taste will be a hit with guests. Professional caterer Gill Potterton says: “Out go pineapple on sticks and in come venison, port and apricot puffs, and chicken, cranberry and chestnut roulade.”
• Whatever you hire, from wine glasses to chairs, always order over what you need rather than under.
• Some household objects that may come in useful: baking soda is a great cleaning aid, especially when sprinkled on carpets and vacuumed the following day; it will leave your room smelling fresh ahead of your party. Cat litter, meanwhile, is useful to have on standby as it’s superb for absorbing drink spillages.
• If one of your guests spills their red wine or smudges chocolate cake into your sofa, don’t despair. According to specialist cleaning company ServiceMaster, if you don’t have a stain remover to hand simply dab vodka or gin on to the stain immediately; these work safely on most fabrics.
• Remember, it’s a party, enjoy!

Party Time!
Get the party started with help from your local specialists.

Etz Chaim
The Reuben Vincent Hall has long been a favourite party venue in the community and offers plenty of reasons to celebrate. Its recent £150,000 refurbishment includes a superb banqueting hall, dance floor, entrance hall, reception room and bar area, making it a wonderful venue for weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, parties, concerts and corporate events.

Purple Piranha
Purple Piranha offers an extensive range of high quality invitations and stationery to match every important occasion, providing a broad selection of print applications that caters for many tastes. Purple Piranha sources its paper from mills across the world and features exclusive American designs unavailable through any other suppliers in the region, ensuring it delivers stellar service every time.

Smooth Operator
Event management specialists, Smooth Operator combine first class contacts and a passion for delivering high quality service to create the perfect party. From incredible decorations to magical lighting and amazing music, Smooth Operator guarantees seamless management of your big event, and takes care of planning every detail.

Linda Abrahams & Co.
Linda Abrahams is a long established family business specialising in invitations and stationery, offering innovative, original and unique designs guaranteed to impress your guests. From invites and envelopes to seating plans and place cards, the team delivers a friendly, professional service, working with you to create the perfect bespoke stationery package.

Mobile Beauty by Daniella
Allow Mobile Beauty by Daniella to make your skin party-perfect during the festive season. From relaxing facials and soothing beauty treatments to waxing and complete pamper packages, Mobile Beauty by Daniella brings a collection of beauty essentials direct to you. As an extra treat, there is also two special offers to choose from, making this festive season even more fun!

Pergola Photo
Does looking for novel and elegant entertainment with impact make your head spin like a dreidel? Pergola Portable Party Photobooths with bespoke décor offer unlimited digital prints, reprints and enlargements on the night. Great for Chanukah and Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties? Of Course! They also make a fun fundraising tool.

Flowers by Karen
Flowers by Karen is welcoming the festive season with a brand new range of table displays, as well as providing full room dressings and supplying beautiful seasonal bouquets that are perfect for family gatherings. The Flowers by Karen team delivers an expert bespoke service garnered from years of experience, ensuring that your home is beautifully decorated during the party period.

Avenue 2 Beauty
Avenue 2 Beauty introduces the amazing new Hollywood Lashes, extensions that will make your eyes look gorgeous for all parties, from weddings to birthdays, holidays to Bar Mitzvahs. The Avenue 2 Beauty team also delivers post-party treatments using 100 per cent natural ingredients that will soothe and replenish leaving you ready for the next night out!

Bliss Spa
Bliss Spa delivers tranquil, bespoke pampering in glamorous surroundings, offering you a stylish destination to kick-start the festive season. From express nail treatments and stunning makeovers to spray tans and soothing massages, let Bliss Spa take care of your party look.

Production Light & Sound
Production Light & Sound is skilled in providing sound and lighting for parties. With over 20 years’ experience, Production Light & Sound offers high quality, professional service and bespoke packages to match whatever requirements you may have for your party. >From equipment hire to full event management, any venue can be transformed with the latest sound and lighting technology.

Four Seasons Interiors
Looking for a must-have party gift? Visit Four Seasons Interiors on Street Lane for a wealth of quality products for the home, ranging from new cookware ranges to beautifully designed furniture. Special offer: purchase a Fissler crispy steelux classic fry pan and receive a glass lid and turner for free (worth £30) – offer ends 24th December 2009.

Share Jewellers
Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise... is the hot tip for fashionistas this season! Key trends for Christmas 2009 have been tipped at chunky knits and the return of the little black dress. But whether your dress is a vintage Versace from the eighties or a Primark classic from the noughties, everyone can experience some A-list glamour by adding a touch of sparkle.

David Share from designer jewellery and giftware boutique Share says: “With charm bracelets being such a popular accessory throughout 2009, we have an extensive selection of charms, perfect for the Chanukah celebrations and Christmas Parties. Pandora, Thomas Sabo and Molly Brown have released a variety of seasonal charms to help give your LBD the x factor.”

For the ultimate gift for 2010, why not grab a four-leaf clover and bring good luck to your loved ones for the New Year.