If only it were as simple as popping open a bottle of Champagne. But as every hostess knows, lifes myriad celebrationswhether they come in the form of a big holiday blowout or a small birthday partyrequire planning and effort to pull off. And in the midst of all that hors doeuvre making and centerpiece arranging, it can be easy to lose sight of what youre actually celebrating (whose birthday is it, anyway?). Real Simple Celebrations is filled with smart solutions to take the hassle out of entertaining. Each chapter is dedicated to a different occasionsuch as Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, a childs birthday partyand guides you every step of the way, from inviting the guests to cleaning up after theyve gone. With its handy checklists, foolproof game plans, practical advice, and truly doable ideas, Real Simple Celebrations will make all your parties a lot easier to pull off. So you can stay focused on what youre celebratingand, more important, why.