Entertaining without
Stress
by Patty Sachs
As the holiday season
approaches and our calendars begin to fill with socializing commitments, that
all-too-familiar feeling of stress may appear in our lives.
The traditional plans to
enjoy the company of friends, family, and associates, blended with the rising
number of party stores and special events companies, points to a trend of more
frequent and elaborate get-togethers. This accelerated social "whirl" can be
loaded with stress for both the guests and hosts. However, don't toss your
enthusiastic party plans into the wastebasket. You can plan an admirable
gathering of those near and dear that won't launch you into a "stress mess". You
can opt for a more casual event given at an unorthodox time with a clever twist.
Read on!
Non-Traditional Theme Parties
AFTERNOON HOLIDAY TEA
TASTING features lovely, light refreshments served with a variety of herbal teas
and recorded music ranging from the soothing to the spirited. For a unique
surprise, open up the dance floor for elegant, au courant tea dancing.
Suggestion: Attach a decorative tea bag trimmed with ribbon to your
invitation.
WEEKEND HOLIDAY POTLUCK
BRUNCH. Plan an open house and serve the food buffet style. You can provide a
hearty main dish, fruit and vegetable juices, and coffee, while you ask your
guests to bring pastries or fruit to round out the menu. This easy-to-implement
gathering will inspire warm and friendly conversation while pleasantly
interrupting the hustle of the busy season. Suggestion: Exchange token gifts
appropriate for use in the morning hours.
WEEK NIGHT DESSERT &
COFFEE BREAK. Can be an after-shopping event that features sampling special
coffees and "brought to share" dessert delicacies. Perfect idea to relax and
catch up with friends and family. Suggestion: Exchange sweet gifts or
participate in a cookie/candy swap.
AFTER WORK WINE &
CHEESE SOCIAL for fellow employees, friends, associates, or clients. Offer light
pre-dinner fare such as wine, mineral waters, soft drinks, cheese, crackers, and
fresh veggie appetizers. Your guests can spend as little as half an hour mixing
and mingling for a bit of holiday cheer. Suggestion: Invite your neighborhood
wine/spirits retailer to set up a new product tasting.
CASUAL CHAT 'N HOLICARDS
can be a lively and productive session of card addressing, stuffing, sealing,
and stamping in a workshop atmosphere. Set up large tables with good lighting
and ample snacks and beverages. This plan allows guests to pitch in and do their
favorite part of what is usually a monotonous and tedious chore. For guests that
do not ordinarily send cards, provide the supplies for extra elegant
one-of-a-kind greeting card creations. Suggestion: Provide rubber stamp art
supplies for some lavish finishing-touch envelope decorations.
ARTS & CRAFT HOLIDAY
PLAYTIME requires a similar workshop set-up for guests who will bring holiday
and decorating craft projects. Suggestion: Craft pros can be prepared to
entertain by giving a short demonstration of a favorite
technique.
ROLLICKING WRAP SESSION
where a Santa's workshop atmosphere is sure to prevail. Each guest brings one
type of ribbon and paper-enough to wrap all of their gifts. The supplies are
then pooled and your guests can create fabulous work-of-art packages dressed in
a variety of glorious papers and adornments. Suggestion: Fortify busy elves with
delicious "gabbing and grabbing" food and drink. Also have a roll of craft or
butcher paper available for large bulky items.
You will have a lot less
work, worry and expense if you do some creative party pooling by bartering for
equipment, labor, and talent with others. This year, be the cool, calm
host/hostess who will actually have fun at your own party and enjoy an abundance
of holiday spirit-stress-free!
Recommended book: The South Beach Diet Parties and Holidays Cookbook: Healthy Recipes for Entertaining Family and Friends
by Arthur Agatston.
The famed Miami Beach cardiologist who has helped millions of people
worldwide to lose weight and eat healthier with his best-selling South
Beach Diet books now addresses the special challenge that can undermine
anyone’s willpower—the irresistible lure of diet-busting dishes at
festive occasions. His new book provides choices, putting a healthy twist on
favorite entertaining meals for every occasion, whether it’s a family
Christimas Eve dinner, a Thanksgiving feast, a Passover seder, a
football fest in front of the TV, or a backyard barbeque with the
neighbors.
Info/Order this book
About The
Author
Patty Sachs is an event planning expert and
author of these party-planning guides: "Weddings Parties &
Celebrations', "52 Totally Unique Theme Parties" and "Don't Wait -
Celebrate!" as well as . Patty is a consultant to the event and party
industry, speaker and workshop presenter to thousands at conventions and
industry events. She is a frequent media interview expert and performer in
entertainment productions on special request. Visit her website at www.pattysachs.com.
| Comments () >> |
 |
 |
