THE first car is arriving. At least one guest then, thank goodness - only 49 more to show. Gilt-edged invitations, crates of champagne, rooms cleared ready to be trashed, a silk carpet to roll up before people start hammering cake into it, catering sufficient to feed a small nation - so much has gone into arranging the day.
Yet all the host can do is throw a tantrum and say she would rather watch Dumbo.
December 1 marks the launch of the events of the year: children's Christmas parties. Even a poor economy does not appear to have wiped the grin off sticky chins, according to organisers. This year's crucial trend? Justify all that extravagance as a reward for months of hard slogging through the recession.
So first, location, location, location. Do not raise your blood pressure with trips to places like Ocean Park or Macau, unless numbers are small. Think instead about booking a function room in your apartment building or at a hotel, or about hiring your child's playschool for the day.
If you are holding the party at home, put away most of the toys to avoid arguments. Get rid of any animals for the day. Make the place safe.
Keep the party short and time it for just after lunch, to avoid children tucking into food straight away and launching into an ear-piercing sugar-high. Keep the food out of the way until then, but do not serve it so late it interferes with meals or bed time.