Entertaining can be easy and fun even during the hectic holidays. This time is a chance for us to share our homes (our beautifully decorated homes) with our loved ones. Don’t let your fears get in the way of a wonderful chance to visit with dear friends and family and make lasting memories.
- Put together a folder to keep recipes, invitations, and inspirations for your party organized and handy. I do this for every party I plan, trip I take, room I decorate and garden I plant. It always helps.
- As soon as you think of the theme of your party and date of your party start working on your party invitations. You can either design them yourself using your computer, or with the help of a graphic artist or printer. If you are on a budget look for old postcards that may work with your theme and create your own “custom” invitations for nex to nothing.
- Plan your menu. If you don’t cook start looking into your catering options. Especially during the holidays, caters book up quickly.
- If you are planning to give out party favors shop now and gift wrap them in paper to coordinate with your decorations. Put them away until it is time for your party and then place them in a basket near your door so your guests can take one on the way out. During the holidays, a Christmas ornament is always a thoughtful gift that will become a keepsake and reminder of your party and friendship for years to come.
- Pick out your music and purchase any new cd’s you may need for your party. During the Holidays it is not the time for steel drums, always coordinate your music to your event.
- Polish silver, set table, arrange flowers, set up bar area day before- it is much easier to be creative when you are not stressing out that your guests are about to arrive any minute.
- Cook anything you can in advance, try and select menu items that can be made 1 or 2 days ahead so you can enjoy your party and your guests can enjoy you.
- Put out your outfit the night before make sure it is wrinkle free and ready to go. And of course it must compliment your theme party!
- If the holidays are too busy for you to entertain and you can’t seem to fit it in but you really would like to show off your beautifully decorated home then try to entertain the week after New Years. It’s more relaxed and it is a great way to extend that wonderful holiday cheer a little bit longer!
Enjoy!
