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Holiday Party Planning Tips

Here we go again…holiday party planning time is just around the corner! Throwing a holiday party is all about fun…friends and family, festive decorations, and joyous time spent together.  If you experience anxiety or get nervous when it comes to making sure everyone has a good time, relax! With a little bit of organization and a few unique ideas, making memories at your party is easy!

Here are some handyHoliday Party Planning Tips!

The Venue

Many local restaurants, hotels and other meeting venues would provide an elegant backdrop to your holiday party. Some will host parties as small as 10 people! With all the hustle and bustle around the holidays, many party planners love the idea of having someone else handle the food, the decor and the cleanup. Or if you would prefer, you can host an elegant party in your home. Choosing the right venue can make all the difference for the atmosphere you want to create for your holiday party.

Invitations

Invitations set the tone for your get-together before anything else. Be creative with them, and as clear as possible about the start and end time, dress required (if any), and be sure they get out two to three weeks before so your guests have time to plan ahead.

Decorations

For the holiday season, candles and white lights are an inexpensive and elegant way to play up any theme! Natural greens, season fruits and vegetables and a bit o’ ribbon create simply stunning centerpieces or wreaths, and grace your mantel like nothing else. Inexpensive tea lights and candles are always a good bet for setting an elegant and festive mood.

(The most popular caterers know that a can of silver or gold spray paint can create magic with old or odd-shaped candle holders, vases…even foliage and fruit for your centerpiece.)

 Eats

Unless your party is a sit-down dinner, you’ll want to have plenty of snacks, appetizers, and hors’ dourves ready to go! Whether you’re planning to offer a more substantial menu or intend to stick to simple fare, put out several cheese platters, each a little different: some with fruit, baguettes and a delicious spread, some with crackers, apples and mustard… A crock pot filled with pre-prepared cocktail meatballs or chicken wings is a great way to stretch your menu.

 Great Music

Even if there isn’t a drop of your killer punch or a single cookie left, they’ll stay for the music! Gear your tunes to your guests, but don’t be afraid to mix it up, and include plenty of holiday themed music!  Have a plan in mind ahead of time for how and where to move that furniture around so your guests can dance.

 

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Holiday parties are a great opportunity for giving. Add a ‘cover charge’ to your invitation that includes a small, unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item to be donated to your local Salvation Army, Red Cross or other non-profit.

 No Holiday Budget Busters

Don’t have a huge party budget? Not to worry! A little creativity and your guests will think your event was created from beginning to end by your own personal event planner! Party food doesn’t need to break your bank…

For original article visit:  http://www.saratoga.com/holiday/party-planning.cfm