Holiday Parties - 10 Keys to Success
Want to give the most memorable holiday party of the season?Entertaining at this time of year requires attention to some issues that don't come up at other times of the year.
These ten keys show you how.
These ten keys show you how.
- Plan ahead and be organized.
This is the number one key for success with any party.
Make a written plan for everything that needs to be done for your party and assign each task to a day.
Then make sure you do it on that day. - Allow plenty of time.
Everything takes longer because of the holidays.
There is more traffic.
There are more people in the stores and more inexperienced sales associates to help them.
You need to stand in line everywhere.
Allowing extra time for tasks like shopping will keep you serene. - Do your shopping as early in the day as possible.
You can cut your shopping time by 50% if you avoid the crowds. - Prepare everything as far ahead of time as possible so you aren't cooking at midnight the night before your party because you miscalculated the time.
Set your table one to three days before the party.
Allow yourself that extra bit of time so you can enjoy the process instead of racing the clock at the last minute. - If you are short on time, use pre-made ingredients when you can.
Many supermarkets these days have grilled tri-tip or barbecued ribs in their delis, which can be turned into great appetizers. - Plan for the day before the party, and use shortcuts where you can.
Party preparations always take longer than anticipated, and the last thing you want to have to think about on the day before the party is preparing additional meals.
Include some pre-made dinner items for that day on your shopping list and save yourself from additional stress. - Stay healthy.
Yes, this is much easier said than done, but advance planning is the key.
Keeping a supply of non-perishable healthy foods, such as vegetable soup and healthy TV dinners on hand will mean that you can always have something healthy to eat at a moment's notice.
Apples and tangerines are also great to have on hand because they last a long time in the fridge.
Keep a bag of raw almonds or hazelnuts in both your car and your purse to munch on as you shop.
Grab a bottle of water out of the fridge whenever you leave the house and you're set.
This way, you won't find yourself downing a candy bar instead of a meal because you are faint from hunger and don't have time to eat. - Do what you can and let go of the rest.
Plan, organize, use time-saving ideas, do whatever you can to make your party a success.
But when you run out of time, energy, or both, stop.
Agree with yourself that you have done enough and let go of everything else.
No one but you will even know. - Make sure your guests are available to attend your party by entertaining at off-peak times.
People have lots of invitations at this time of year, and chances are, if you plan a party for a Friday or Saturday night, some of your guests will have prior commitments.
Sunday evenings are a great time to entertain.
You avoid conflicts with most of the other parties that way, and you give yourself the weekend to prepare. - Do something different that the usual holiday cocktail party or open house and your guests will think you are a spectacular host.
Many holiday parties seem to follow the same pattern.
Think about what your guests might need during this time, and provide it.
An After-Shopping Buffet on a Sunday evening gives you a chance to give your guests something unique.
They will probably have been shopping for hours, coping with crowds, lines and noise.
They will be tired and hungry and probably have nothing prepared at home to eat.
Their choices are to stop for fast food on the way home or to go to your house for a relaxing and satisfying meal, great company, and a personalized gingerbread person to take home.
Which will they choose?Yours, of course!It's a no-brainer.
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