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Planning Creative Holiday Parties
by Lillian Vernon
“You’re invited . . .” are always popular and welcome words around the
holidays. If you’re like me, you love to host a party. But if you’re a
hostess with the “least” amount of time, a party is a lot of work.
Entertaining requires considerable planning and preparation because
there are so many things to do.
Think about the parties you’ve attended and what made them special. Was
it the food, guests, laughs, decorations, ambience? The parties I liked
best were the ones that touched me in a personal way. A special party
creates lasting memories for you and your guests. No matter who is on
the guest list, the basics of organizing a party are almost always the
same. What’s different is how you customize the details. Here are my
tips to get you started:
* Make a master list of what must be done a month, week and day in
advance and don’t forget the day-after cleanup.
* Decide what kind of menu you want as far ahead as possible and whether
you want a sit-down dinner or a buffet. Think about every course from
hors d’oeuvres, to appetizers, salads and dressings, breads, entrees,
vegetables, desserts and beverages. Always include some healthy and
low-calorie selections. Prepare and freeze whatever you can, so you
don’t have to do it all in one day. Home baked cookies and brownies can
be stored in tins; roasts, cooked the day before, can be served cold.
Nibbles like crudités can be chopped and stored in plastic bags in the
refrigerator. Order specialty items from the florist, butcher and
bakery, and extra chairs and tables in advance.
* Buffets are usually easier than sit-down dinners. Avoid anything that
can spoil when left out for hours. Utensils and napkins should be
available everywhere there is food and drink. Tie silverware and napkins
together with festive ribbons and a candy cane. Buy paper napkins with
fun and witty sayings or personalized with your name or initials on
them. Decorate tabletops with spray-painted gold pinecones, holiday
ornaments and candles.
* Make or buy plenty of ice cubes and place them in a large galvanized
tin bucket decorated with a big red ribbon. Using food coloring, make
festive red and green ice cubes. To cut down on misplaced glasses and
wasted beverages, buy holiday wine charms for every glass. For coffee or
tea, use colored sugars or rock sugar stirrers instead of regular sugar.
* Before the party starts, place cloves, cinnamon and orange peels on a
baking sheet in the oven. Set on a low temperature for an hour; the
heavenly aroma will fill your house for hours. Mull spiced cider in a
large pot on your stove for a warm winter drink with a holiday
fragrance.
* Make your guests feel welcome from the instant they arrive. Line the
driveway with luminarias and decorate the front of your house and lawn
to set a celebratory mood. Place a guest book at the front door for
expressing sentiments.
Family Parties
Ask guests to bring a family photo to make a personalized ornament for
your tree. Childhood photos make great place cards for a sit-down
dinner. Begin a family album, highlighting favorite recipes, anecdotes,
pictures, and memorabilia. Include a family tree with small pictures.
Parties for Neighbors
Enlist at least two outgoing guests to help you make introductions.
Instead of gifts, organize a future neighborhood activity where everyone
can pitch in such as a spring planting, a summer block party, an Easter
egg hunt, or autumn leaf raking. Give gift certificates of time to each
other, offering to shovel snow in the winter, take care of pets while
someone is vacationing, or baby-sit a newborn so parents can have a
night out.
Parties for Co-workers
Organize a “Secret Santa” giveaway or ask your guests to bring funny
gifts for a grab bag. Holidays are a good opportunity to meet the
families of co-workers. Plan activities that allow everyone to mingle
and learn more about each other. Ask guests with special talents to
entertain. An aspiring magician can perform magic, someone who has a
great voice can read “A Christmas Carol,” and someone who likes to sing
can lead the caroling.
The goal of a holiday party is to put everyone in a festive mood and set
the tone for the coming year. With advance planning and preparation, the
host will be relaxed and everyone will have a good time!
About the author
Lillian Vernon is the founder of the Lillian Vernon catalogs and
www.lillianvernonproducts.com.
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