Make sure you’re prepared to party

Warm weather tends to unleash the party spirit.

So it’s helpful to have a stash of merrymaking basics on hand so you can spontaneously invite friends over after work.

Take a cue from party planners, who keep their supplies together in a closet, drawer, cabinet, basket or plastic box. With this method, they don’t have to make any mad dashes to the store.

“The key is that guests have no idea that everything was thrown together at the last minute,” says Kim Ho, co-owner of You’re Invited in Overland Park, Kan.

Ho tries to always have these non-alcoholic staples: coffee, tea, water and lemonade. She also stocks club soda, cola and orange juice because they’re fine on their own but can be used for mixed drinks, too.

When it comes to alcohol, Ho thinks it’s best to have a few standards such as vodka, beer and a bottle each of red and white wine.

Having the ingredients to make one type of cocktail, such as margaritas or mojitos, also is a good idea.

Food should be a cinch. Ho likes storing nonperishable items such as popcorn, nuts and olives.

She prefers serving hors d’oeuvres you can eat with your fingers. That way no utensils or extra work are required.

“Of course, you can never go wrong with chips and salsa,” says Michele Crumbaugh, event consultant for Party Patch in Independence, Mo.

Balance all those salty snacks with something sweet, such as M&M’s.

Ho is constantly on the lookout for good serving bowls. Ones made of melamine plastic are great for indoors and outdoors because they don’t break easily, look attractive and can be cleaned in the top drawer of the dishwasher.

Cloth cocktail napkins are best because they can be reused, although they can be hard to find. (Darn, you might have to go on eBay again.) Crumbaugh keeps a stack on top of her coffee table.

The easier-to-come-by dinner-size napkins are too bulky for company.

To set the mood, Ho likes to use a few strands of indoor/outdoor lights.

The ever-popular paper lanterns come in smaller sizes that work well inside the house.

Since she thinks everything looks better by candlelight, Ho hordes white votives.

Keep a few favorite CDs in the same place as background music.

Ho suggests avoiding music by one artist or band. Instead, go for more variety with a movie soundtrack.

Usually, conversation can be enough entertainment.

But having a deck of cards in plain sight and then playing can get quiet people talking.