Host a Spring Luncheon

Greet guests with buckets of flowers on the front porch or in the foyer. Play up the rainy-day theme by adding bright umbrellas and rubber boots, if you or your kids have them. In the party room, string paper parasols ($6 to $24, lunabazaar.com) from the ceiling with adhesive hooks. And be sure to dress up tabletops with fresh blossoms, in vases that range from small to large.

Nope, no Doppler radar here: These outlooks are strictly astrological. Buy blank cards and customize them with guests' astrological forecasts. Find each guest’s horoscope for the month from a website such as astrostyle.com (ask for everyone’s zodiac sign beforehand). Cut and paste the horoscopes, then glue each inside a blank card and present to the partygoers.

No need to cook up a storm. Instead, prepare light yet tasty fare that's easy to make and easy to eat on a lap. The soup can be served in pretty teacups and saucers that can be balanced without much effort.

• Bacon and Leek Tart
• Carrot and Onion Soup
• Angel Food Cake With Lime Drizzle (shown)
• "Stay Dry" Vodka Martini