Mr D texted this morning to inform me he had got my invitation.

I had sent him and 20 other select friends beautiful white embossed cards, requesting their attendance at a little Christmas soiree I'm hosting.

Even though I've mastered the group invite tool on Facebook (and Facebook for that matter), my mother always told me that if people are going to take your party seriously, then formal invites should be posted. And nothing says that my party is the not-to-be-missed-event-of-the-festive-calendar than the gorgeous Smythson numbers I spent a fortune on last week.

Not that it has done me any good. Mr D declined my invitation as he has 'other commitments'. Typical. Oh well, as they say the show must go on - or in this case the party and I've got some serious preparation to begin. Starting with the most important element - the drinks.

According to my friend Erin, it's not about champagne this year, or even tumblers of neat vodka on the rocks. Apparently, you can't beat the party power of a rum punch which is to include gallons of guava juice and Green Island 151 rum - the rum-drinkers choice du jour. All served in a cut-glass crystal bowl and drank out of china teacups. Hopefully this Jamaican liquidation will get everybody dancing, as I'm not quite sure I've mastered the art of a fine punch and my measures are known to be a little haphazard at best...

Next on my 'to do' list is the food, glorious food. I have ordered canapés from caterers to the 'haves and have-yachts', Admiral Crichton. Simple.

Entertainment-wise, my friend Dan who's a DJ in Ibiza told me the key to any good party is to let everyone get involved in the musical choices. I've requested everybody bring an iPod with a five-song playlist, which I will rotate throughout the evening. The playlist theme is 'Back to the 80s'. Hopefully, this will reveal some interesting musical choices!

I am decorating my flat with strings of popcorn, astonishing snowball wreaths made by Joanna Rivers, bowls of dried pomegranates and lots of Pine Scented Christmas Candles from Diptyque. Oh and the obligatory mistletoe artfully hung from my doorframes.

Finally, the dress code is 'formal attire'. I want men in suits and women in long dresses. Though this request does have a purely selfish motive, I want a chance to wear the new Notte by Marchesa appliqué draped gown I spent most of November's salary on. And the hidden benefits of wearing a long dress? Not having to worry about waxing your legs. Something I've forgotten to do, as I've been too busy planning this party! Ooooops...