School is starting next week for many Northeastern children and this is such an exciting time. Between finding out who the teachers are, making new friends and figuring out what to wear for the first day — there's hardly time to enjoy the last few days and nights of summer vacation.

The night before the much anticipated first day of school, throw a back to school dinner party for your little students. It'll certainly set aside any nerves or reservations they have about jumping back into the pool of education. A few years ago Stephanie (aka the How-To Hostess) threw a terrific back to school dinner party for her nephew filled with inspiration.

She used sheets of lined paper as the tablecloth and even folded them in fancy and fun ways to hold the utensils. The centerpiece Stephanie made was simple because she incorporated supplies that any back to school family will already have. Her menu was casual and easy, but typed up as you would for a fancy dinner party.

Don't forget, you want this back to school dinner party to be something really special. Special treatment before the first day of school never goes unnoticed. You can see many more photos of this party on Stephanie's old blog, Modern Renaissance.

(Images: How-To Hostess via Flickr)