New Year's Eve 1999 is the party of the century -- and you haven't even started to think about it. Nicole Williams Smith has some tips on how to catch up.

With under six months to go until the "party of the century'', many are beginning to ponder were and how they want to usher in the Year 2000.

If you are toying with the idea of hosting a soiree and you haven't already started planning your New Years Eve bash, you'd better get moving for the countdown started several months ago in the race to secure the best party venues, caterers and suppliers.

Several of the Island's top restaurants, like La Coquille and Fresco's, are already booked for private functions for New Year's Eve 1999.

And many local caterers have already been snapped up by well-organised hostesses.

"We are fully booked,'' said Siegmund Gsaller, manager of Flying Chef. "We still have people calling, but we are completely booked. I don't know why people wait till so late to start booking.'' Over at the Little Venice Group, the catering division is only taking bookings for food deliveries since it cannot guarantee that staff will be available to work on New Year's Eve.

"I don't know if anyone can guarantee providing decent staff for New Years Eve,'' explained a spokeswoman. "You just don't know if anyone will show up and for us, getting the restaurant staff in is the priority so we are only taking food delivery bookings.

"And we already have a few bookings.'' If you can't get a caterer for the big night and you don't mind slaving over a stove, you can still pull off throwing a millennium soiree for your friends and family.

While you may be able to make do without a caterer, there is one thing that no great New Year's Eve function can do without -- champagne.

According to Marc Morabito of Frith's Liquors, New Year's Eve revellers had better start hoarding bottles of bubbly in case of a shortage.

"There has been an increase in sale of champagne,'' said Mr. Morabito. "In fact sales are buoyant.

"But we have been told by our suppliers that everyone has been only allotted so much and when that runs out, well, that's it.'' And Mr. Morabito admitted that the store could be sold out of the sparkling beverage before December 31.

"It is possible, if things keep up at this pace that we could possible be sold out of it by New Year's Eve,'' he confessed. "Let's put it this way, I wouldn't want to be without a couple of bottles of champagne tucked away when December rolls around.'' No party is complete without some great music and if you want to literally dance like it's 1999 -- and 2000 -- you had better book a disc jockey or some musicians now.

DJ Craig (Bubbles) Darrell said he had already received five calls requesting his services for various New Year's Eve functions.

"The first call I received was in March,'' he chuckled.

Even the rental agencies have started receiving orders for party equipment like chairs, tables and tents.

"We do have standing orders for New Year's,'' explained Douglas Howe of Bermuda Rentals. "And the smart ones have already started booking for galas.

"We have also noticed that the parties are getting more and more lavish. We are booked to do three balloon drops already for New Year's Eve, but we can do many more.'' And Mr. Howe urged the public not to leave their preparations to the last minute regardless of when they are throwing their bash.

"Lead time and setting a budget is very important,'' he said. "You'd be amazed how many people come in on a Tuesday for a party that is on the Saturday.

"For New Year's you should have booked everything with us by September 30 at the latest. And if you are having the event outside, arrange to have a site visit before ordering your tent.'' Party of the Century Whether you're entertaining a few friends and family or 200 revellers, be sure to make it a night to remember from the very start with creative invitations.

The perfect invitation can spark anticipation in your guest and subtilely hints at what is in store for the big night.

Once you've piqued your guest's interest with an invitation, be sure to follow through with a creative theme and decor.

Some possible party ideas as suggested by the Millennium Party Book, 1001 Great Ideas include: Masquerade Party: Invite guest to dress up as famous figures from the 20th Century; A Dragon Party: As the year 2000 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon celebrate it in Oriental style; Time Capsule Party: Invite guests to bring a small item to help fill a time capsule; A Tree Planting Party: Help the environment and make your mark on the plant by planting a tree to commemorate the millennium; and Silver and Gold party: Ask guests to creatively incorporate silver or gold into their attire -- they can be covered from head to toe, or simply don one item.

With the help of napkins, plates and glasses, fabric and flowers you can transform even the most simple room into a welcoming place to usher in the Year 2000.

And as with the other aspects of your party planning, don't leave the decorative touches until the last minute.

"The sooner they come in the better,'' said a florist at Just Roses, even thought the Paget flower store had yet to book any orders for New Year's Eve.

"If it is a substantial party, we will treat it like a wedding and we only do three big events on a given day,'' she added. "The latest anyone should come in to order arrangements is November, because Christmas is a busy time to begin with.'' Year of the dragon: The Year 2000 is also the Chinese Year of the Dragon and therefore a great theme for a New Year's Eve party. With a little imagination your soiree can be a night to remember for your guests.