Now that Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, Mardi Gras, and even Presidents’ Day have gone by in a flash, it suddenly seems like a long time till the next excuse for a party.

Why wait? There are going to be days, good and bad, when you feel you need a celebration. Be ready for them – stash some party supplies in a drawer or box and pull them out when the time comes.

Good things to have in it:

• A colorful paper tablecloth and napkins. These are really cheap just after a holiday.
• Paper or foam plates, matching the tablecloth, or at least in bright colors. Just throw them out when you’re done. The earth will forgive you this once.
• Disposable cutlery and plastic wine glasses, even if you’re not having wine.
• Food that will keep, takes no prep, and still seems kind of fancy: Artichoke hearts, croutons, canned shrimp, pudding cups in your favorite flavors, jars of olives.
• Any entrée you can microwave or “just add boiling water” to. This is only if you’re ambitious enough to serve a meal. (You could keep frozen dinners around for the same purpose, but food in the fridge tends to get eaten for everyday meals.)
• Soft drink mixes (I’ll leave the hard stuff up to your taste).
• Decorations – candles, artificial flowers, or something else for a centerpiece.

Nobody’s going to mistake this for a formal occasion, or mistake you for Martha Stewart, but if you’ve brightened the day for your family or friends with these festive touches, the party’s a success.

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