How to Simplify Holidays and Still Have Fun

Throwing a holiday party brings an inevitable level of pressure, no matter how nice the occasion. The key is to decrease that stress by preparing yourself for what is to come and anticipating how to deal with potential mishaps. The bottom line: it's a party, so have some fun--but never overlook the power of a great plan! Here are ways to pull it off.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Have a signature cocktail. Preparing a signature cocktail, whether it’s a Lychee Martini or a Pomegranatini (see my web link in Resources below) is a wise holiday tip because it’s beneficial for you and your guests. When there is a batch of holiday cocktails, guests are likely to go for the special. This eliminates the need for a whole selection of cocktails and mixers, which is cost-effective. It is also a time-saver because you only need to make one large batch in pitchers, and you are done.
   
   * Just be sure to anticipate how much your guests will be drinking, and based on your selection, have the bar stocked with the necessary ingredients.

2. Have plenty of colorful, fresh food accents to keep the party lively and refreshing. As long as you're creative and colorful, you won't need to do much work. Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the best. Arugula with toasted pinenuts, bresaola and shaved parmesan is a staple at all of my parties. All of the items are store-bought, fresh and require little to no preparation (although your guests won’t have any idea). Making fresh buffalo mozzarella (which you can find in water at Costco) with fresh sliced tomatoes and fresh basil is another quick and easy dish with a big wow factor. Mixing leftover herbs with salt and pepper and unsweetened butter is another great accompaniment to fresh bread. These are just a few festive examples that take no time, look great and are as delicious and beautiful as a slow-cooked meal.

3. Be conscientious of lighting. A good governing idea is to always keep your guests in mind when preparing for the evening. Make sure the lights in your house are dim and have some candlelight. No one wants to see themselves in daylight at night. Maybe they had a bad day, they’re tired and have black circles (my bags under my eyes have their own bags) and they don’t want to be under a magnifying glass. Low lighting with no overhead light makes for a better event.

4. Carefully plan out your music ahead of time, and make sure your selection fits the theme of the party and the crowd attending. Know your guests, trust your judgment and use good taste. Don’t just rely on some satellite TV music, and stay away from your iPod’s party shuffle. Believe it or not, Banana Republic or Starbucks music choices are often good ideas for background music. If you are dancing or have a theme, then hand-pick what you like. I am Type A, but I have a running list of songs in my Blackberry, so if I need to draw upon it, I have it. Also, using your iPod and creating your own compilations for different occasions is a great idea. It keeps you on top of things and prepared in case a live band or DJ falls through.

5. Be creative with your floral accents and décor. From floral decorations to edible arrangements, you're going to need aesthetically pleasing exhibits for your guests to appreciate--and you don't need to spend a lot.
   Filling beautiful glass bowls with apples or a mixture of apples and pinecones can be as nice as a floral arrangement. Depending upon décor, I often do the same thing with bowls of lemons or limes. Sometimes I’ll take a variety of cheeses from Trader Joe’s or Costco and label them individually (Ikea is a great place for card holders and cards). The different colorful cheeses served on a wooden board with assorted breads provide a great centerpiece that serves a dual purpose.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget about the party after it's over. Clean up as soon as possible and get the rented furniture returned immediately. It will alleviate your stress level and leave you with a better feeling about how the party went.
• Remember to store things that you may be able to use for a future event.
• Help your friends out; let them know what worked and what didn't. Sharing advice will lead to better events for everyone in the future.
• Remember that you're the host, and so you need to use your judgment when it comes to guests leaving the party. If someone has had too much to drink, give them a bed to sleep in or arrange for a designated driver. Nothing ruins a great party like a bad aftermath.
• SKIP THE RED WINE. There is no need for you to ruin your holiday by turning your white couch pink. It happened to me; it was a disaster, and I really wasn’t happy to have to replace my couch. So keep your guests in mind for the night, but don’t forget to keep yourself in mind for the nights to follow.
• Don't make people watch videos. Period. No one but you cares.
• Don't play the song "Celebration" by Kool and The Gang. I hope I don’t have to explain this. It is simply the cheesiest song of all time, and my cue to leave an event.

[missnice104]

on 10/16/2008 Thanks for the preparation ideas! I appreciate them!

[Haoie]

on 10/10/2008 Parties: Always fun. Except before and after.

[Supersuzer]

on 10/9/2008 Mmmm! Love the pomegranatini concept! A little kick to those antioxidants. Also appreciate your wisdom re monitoring drunken guests and not playing "Celebration" or videos! Torture!

[triciagoss]

on 10/9/2008 Wonderful tips!

[kohuether]

on 10/9/2008 These are such great tips and a very well thought out article. I love entertaining too and look forward to incorporating some of your tips!