We know how stressful planning the perfect holiday party can be. While it’s fun to invite friends and family, orchestrating an event with a colorful theme and food that will please the masses can be a daunting task.

Take the guesswork out of your next party with the help of Basking Ridge party planning pro Dawn Sandomeno and her party blueprints.

Dawn is co-founder of PartyBluprints.com ä, the first ever website to provide e-party plans, and author of the PartyBluprints Blog (www.partybluprintsblog.com), a “real girls’” guide to home entertaining which received a “thumbs up” from Good Housekeeping.

She is also a regular expert contributor on various party and entertaining sites and she does this all from the comfort of her home with her kids.

“I left Wall Street so I could be with my kids-I didn’t want to miss any of that,” said the life-long Jersey girl. “Even as an event planner, we had to work a lot of weekends so my partner Elizabeth and I decided to make an online portal with downloadable event plans. The Party Blueprints blog came next, making it so much easier to communicate ideas quickly.”

At the PartyBluprints blog, you will find seasonal tips and trends for entertaining in style.

Learn how to transform your table into a winter wonderland or mix the perfect holiday cocktail. Forget scrambling in your cookbook for a menu; there are full-course options at your fingertips at the site.

“We believe the most effective (and fun) way to approach entertaining is to start with a plan to stimulate the five senses. Pay attention to all the elements of your party and make sure they enhance, not detract, each one (consider it a symphony for the senses): the food, the tablescape, the music, the lighting, etc. If you achieve the right balance, your guests’ senses will be satisfied — resulting in relaxed and happy guests and the perfect party environment!”

Tags: NJ party planners