Holiday Party Planning Tips

Have I told you all how much I LOVE the holidays? The crisp autumn air, the golden hues of leaves that have changed colors, the beautiful decorations that adorn homes & churches, and of course the fall & winter fashion that gets to make an appearance. What I love most about this time of year are the many holiday parties & get-together's that give me a chance to be surrounded by family and friends who I love and who love me. Tis the season for celebrations of every kind so if you're planning to host one of your own consider the following...


The Date
*Between Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa there are multiple days in December that your guests may typically reserve for their loved ones, church or temple so be mindful of the date you select if you want all of your invited guests to show up.

The Cost
*You will generally pay premium pricing for holiday affairs that are catered on the weekend. There are only 4 weekends in the month of December which means your caterer may have multiple social & corporate clients all vying for the same date. If possible, host your shindig during the week to not only save on the cost of food but on the alcohol bill as well since most of your guests won't drink as heavily mid-week as they'll have to get up the next morning for work.

The Decor
*While red & green are always a safe choice, you can create beautiful designs with a rich palette of gold, silver & ivory, a sparkling palette of silver, blue & white, or opt for the bold & classic combination of black & white.

*Affordable DIY centerpieces can include glitter-dipped pinecones, crystal manzanita trees and hurricane vases filled with cranberries and topped with a tea light.

The Rest
*Imagining a winter holiday without holiday lights is pretty hard to do. If you won't be using traditional holiday lights for your party, keep other lighting options in mind. Multiple candles & votives can give your home a warm winter glow while amber gels & pin spotting can help create that same ambiance for larger affairs.
*Hot cocoa with marshmallows and chocolate chip cookies are holiday favorites that are a hit with both young & old. If you aren't planning on serving either of these treats, consider using these scents to welcome your guests into your home, office or even cocktail hour. For intimate affairs a nice scented candle will do the trick, larger parties may require a professional service such as Scent Events.

Whether your holiday party is large or small, remember to keep the comfort of your guests {and your wallet} in mind and you'll be off to a great start.