It's easier than you might think to create a great personal party theme for someone special. Caterer and event planner Kelven Book of Canard, Inc., in Manhattan, offers his Rule No.1: "Think about or find out what the person really enjoys."

When the husband of a New York socialite hired Book to "do something special" for his wife's 40th birthday, Book spoke at length with his client to glean as much information as possible about the wife's interests. "I learned that the guest of honor adores the 1950s, that she's crazy about designer handbags, and that she loves to be pampered. So I suggested a '50s-era 'Girls' Night In.'"

'50s-style dress—The party wasn't a secret, but some of the details were kept under wraps, to add an element of surprise. Guests were invited to dress in styles popular in the '50s. And the guest of honor was asked to keep busy outside her apartment on event day so Book and his staff could set up.

Food, flowers, and '50s touches

The night began with a seated dinner for 20 of her closest girlfriends. Among the guests were women who had been friends since childhood and others who had become friends through their kids' relationships at school or because the women worked together on fundraising events.

Book chose a pink-and-white color scheme to create a traditional "girlish" look. Dinner was served at a large wooden table, with rented chairs to accommodate the entire group. Plain white rented dishes were mixed with the hostess's heirloom flatware. Book also purchased checkered placemats in pale pink, ivory, and white to match the white linen napkins the hostess already owned.

Pink peonies—Floral arrangements consisted of fragrant pink peonies displayed in vintage ivory-colored Fiestaware drinking glasses from the host's collection.