Celebrity party planner serves top tips for Cancer Research UK’s Dine@Mine

This Christmas, Cancer Research UK has enlisted the help of party planner to the stars and author of ‘The Party Bible’, Liz Brewer, to devise a foolproof guide to throwing a Dine@Mine Dine@Mine festive bash that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

A Dine@Mine party is a fantastic way to enjoy an evening with friends whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK’s life saving work. Instead of bringing a gift for the host, guests are asked to make a donation to Cancer Research UK.

Liz’s top tips show how to celebrate in style and raise money to help beat cancer by hosting a fabulous get-together in the comfort of your own home. Eliminating long taxi queues, overpriced restaurants and cold weather, not to mention ensuring a very exclusive guest list, staying in is definitely the new going out!

From start to finish Liz explains how to make your soiree the social event of the year by sharing party secrets which have delighted her A-list clients such as Dame Shirley Bassey and Ivana Trump. And with handy budget tips, not even the dismal economy will dampen the festivity.

Cancer Research UK’s Natasha Dickinson said: “Entertaining friends and family over the festive season can be overwhelming but by following Liz Brewer’s helpful guide, you are sure to be a top host.

“Every Dine@Mine event is different so you can choose whether you want to have a tea party, a casual gathering or a full blown banquet. With every guest donating to Cancer Research UK, you can help fund vital research into cancer by having a great night in with friends!”

Cancer Research UK will send party hosts a Dine@Mine fundraising pack which includes invitations, place cards, a donation form and a Dine@Mine guide for planning a successful event.

For more information or to register a Dine@Mine event log on to Dine@Mine or telephone 08701 60 20 40.

Liz Brewer’s Party Tips 2008

• Preparation is very important. Dream the entire event in your mind from the beginning to the end then write a plan with all the main points, relevant ingredients and vital details. Keep it simple and pay attention to the details.
• Give your party your own personal touch and create a theme. This is always a great ice-breaker as it gets the party going and gives guests a reason to start up conversations. It does not have to be too dramatic, the following are simple, fun ideas: ‘Dress in the Christmas Spirit’ or ‘Dress with a touch of mistletoe.’
• Select your guests with care. Avoid party bores – leave these to another occasion or preferably a one to one, otherwise some of your guests may be landed with them! If the guest lists needs an injection of new blood then ask some guests to bring a new friend.
• Decide on your budget and stick to it. If something proves too expensive, improvise. If you’re strapped for cash, get together with a group of friends and plan a joint party.
• Get help. It’s far more fun to ask friends if you cannot afford professionals. Similarly, at the event it also gives them a reason to circulate among the guests, offering drinks etc.
• Create your own fun and quirky invitations. Remember it is the first impression that counts and the invitations need to ignite people’s imaginations, so give this a great deal of thought. For example, for a great Christmas invitation make a simple cracker with the invitation inside!
• Make certain everything is prepared before the guests arrive and get help from friends and children of friends in order to make certain you can act as the host AND enjoy the party. If you’re not enjoying your party, it is more than likely others won’t either.
• Be prepared for breakages or casualties, e.g. mops, dustpan & brush, first aid.
• Drinks – There comes a time when people drink purely because they are thirsty so remember to have ample supplies of water and soft drinks available.
• It is the duty of the host to make sure people are introduced and are circulated. How often do you find yourself in a room filled with people you don’t know? Not many have the confidence to introduce themselves, so as a host, do your duty and get mingling!

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 7061 8315 or, out-of-hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264 059.

About Cancer Research UK

• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK’s vision is to beat cancer.
• Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer.
• Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients.
• Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is being made and the choices each person can make.
• Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest impact in the global fight against cancer.
• For further information about Cancer Research UK’s work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit our homepage.