Your Place or Mine?

The most obvious site for a gathering—especially a small one—is your own home or the home of a friend or relative. Just fire up the barbecue grill in the backyard and you're in business. Your gathering can be almost that simple.

But before sending the invitations, ask yourself if you have adequate bathroom facilities for the number you wish to invite. What about parking within a short walking distance?

If your event is held outdoors, you may wish to invite your neighbors to join the gathering. That makes them part of the fun and less likely to complain about noise.

You may also want to rent a tent for shelter against the sun or rain. A tent can promote a feeling of togetherness by serving as a gathering place for meals, toasts, stories, introductions, etc. If you don't rent a tent, make sure your home and garage are big enough to accommodate everyone in case of rain.

If your property meets all the requirements, you may feel right at home staging your event at home. Put up a welcome sign in front with the theme of your gathering. That will assure them that they've found the right place.