Fans of Real Simple magazine will find plenty to like in “Real Simple Celebrations: Easy Entertaining for Every Occasion,” (Time Inc. Home Entertainment, $27.95). The beautifully designed book is crammed with ideas for all types of parties, from Thanksgiving dinner to a summer barbecue.

Some readers might quibble with the words “simple” and “easy” in the title – there are certainly a few suggestions that require a bit of planning and elbow grease. Still, if you’re the kind of host who likes to put a personal touch on your parties without spending hours polishing silver or hand-lettering invitations, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. (For one example, check out the cute handmade invites to a cheese party – a few squeezes of a hole punch give simple invitations some cheeky flair.)

Real Simple even has included templates for many of the projects on its Web site at realsimple.com/ celebrations.