So you are about to host a party, and you need to get food, decorations and serving platters. But where do you begin? Well, one expert says you should start by staying home.

“You would be shocked at what you already have in your home,” says Michele Ammon. “You don't have to spend a lot of money, and that's what I help people do. I point out what they already have and what you can use.”

Ammon is a party stylist who’s helping New Yorkers entertain the idea that most of what they need for a party they already own. From pots and pans to upside-down garbage cans and baskets, she can help show you how to turn your buffet into an incredible display.

“When somebody new comes into your home they see things completely different, and that is what I do,” Ammon says. “I might find an old flower pot and make use of it, a trash can, an article of clothing, a shoe - things like that that people will say, ÎWow, I never thought of using that for a table display for a party.’”

She calls it tablescaping; like landscaping, but on your table. She says flat trays on a table look, well, flat. But elevating things creates a cascading look, so Ammon turns things upside-down and covers them with whatever material you may have, even if it’s just a bed sheet or an old curtain.

“The fact that she took my pots and pans out of my kitchen, at first I was thinking, ÎWhat is she going to do with this?’” says client Amy Nicholas. “And the fact that she used them in such an inventive way to make the food look so much better, it’s just incredible, really.”

Ammon also says most people buy too much food. But when you know how to display it well, you will see you don't really need as much as you think. What you will need is flowers - these help fill in the table.

Once you get your table set, it’s then time to set the mood. For this, Ammon says candles are the way to go.

But if you don't have candles, my favorite tip is to simply hollow out the middle of a sunflower and stick a votive candle inside.

Another great tip; she says if you are hosting the party and plan to give a gift, use your gift as the display, like a wagon for a baby shower, or hang the clothes over the buffet.

Ammon is available for consulting, tablescaping or full party styling. Her services start at around $200.

Knowing how to plan a party that will save you time and money gives you a whole new reason to celebrate.

For more information, visit www.micheleammon.com.

- Jill Scott