Advice from the professionals!

Jane Knight and Liz Bird have written a book about organising big group parties.

Although most of the time groups are gathering for fun events, the mixtures of kids, pets and adults of different agaes can be explosive!

The book gives some great tips to make your get-together go with a swing.

Read more about their advice in this article from The Times.

You can buy the book new or used via our Amazon store.


The Big House Party, by Jane Knight and Liz Bird, is published by Pendant Press (£14.99).

Have a ball ... not a balls-up

DO agree in advance on the budget and bedroom allocation.

DO order groceries and drinks online to be delivered in time for your arrival.



DO warn the others of potential flashpoints, such as “I’m on the Atkins diet/We get up at 5am”.

DO be generous with babysitting if bringing children.

DON’T go away with other couples if you know only one half.

DON’T e-mail everyone with a rota of chores. No one likes a control freak.

DON’T do the same chore twice — or it will be yours all week.

DON’T go into a big sulk if everyone else chooses an activity you dislike.

DON’T go on one of these holidays if what you really want is solitude.

Further information:

www.thebighouseparty.com