Tuesday November 22, 2016
It's the most wonderful time of the year!You want to celebrate the season with family and friends, but with the holiday merely weeks away, landing a role opposite of George Clooney sounds easier than planning a holiday bash. Does it not? Well fear not! These primo party planning tips will have you singing carols over eggnog in next-to-no-time (and for little money too), all compliments of our professional party planner.
Sweet and simple
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to go over-the-top to make an impression. Something simple and understated can wow your guests too.
Try sticking to a single color palette or theme. Mix matching patterns are “in” right now, but be careful not to go overboard. You want your guests to leave with holiday cheer, not a holiday headache.
Although a clear glass vase or bowl filled with ornaments is an easy go-to for table décor, let’s be honest - it’s a bit overused (ok, a lot!). Think outside the box. Try substituting jumbo Christmas bulbs, glitter-clad pine cones or jingle bells instead for a fun and festive alternative!
As the saying goes, “eclectic is the new black” (or something like that). Sure, symmetry and precise coordination can create a dazzling ambiance for your party. However, it’s not always practical on your checkbook to buy brand new matchy-matchy items. Instead of having the exact same patterns or shades of red everything, impress your guests with your super-trendy decorating skills that incorporate variations of sizes, shapes and colors to set the mood.
Get the word out
In the spirit of keeping it simple, e-cards are typically free and track the responses from your guests in one spot (less for you to do). You can even carry your party theme over to the e-card in many instances. And while it may be less traditional, pretty much everyone has email and most even read their email on their phones. So it’s not only easy for you, it’s easy for your guests.
If you’d like to be a little more traditional and snail mail your invites, check out sites like etsy.com for trendy DIY printable templates. Or if leaving the printing to the pros is more time friendly, several discount printing websites are available, like vistaprint.com, that help you design, print, and even deliver, your invites for you.
Plan ahead
Create an inspiration board on Pinterest to help you organize your ideas. Proceed with caution though. If you’re one of those people who are easily distracted and indecisive, then I advise you stay off Pinterest so as not to overload yourself! In this case a simple to do list can help you organize your ideas.
Do as much prep work ahead of time as you can. Plan a menu. Chop veggies for the crudité, slice cheese for the cheese platter, prepare the décor. Having the work done ahead of time will allow you to enjoy your party and schmooze with your guests instead of slaving in the kitchen while everyone else reaps the benefits of your hard work!
Enjoy!
Cue victory dance - you did it! Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Go ahead and pour yourself a cocktail, fix a plate and enjoy the company of your guests! You’ve earned it.