How to Be the Perfect
Low-Stress
Featuring Phyllis Cambria, Party Expert
The
primary reason to invite someone to a holiday gathering is to include them, as
a guest, to share in your happy time. From the invitation to the thank
you note your guests comfort must be considered. But that doesn't mean
you have to tie yourself up in knots trying to make everything perfect. Just
keep in mind these suggestions.
·
Successful
stress-free parties don't just happen, they take planning. If you plan ahead,
you can eliminate most of your anxieties. Just think through every step of your
party from your guests' point of view to ensure that no detail was missed.
·
Be
sure that you answer every question a guest may have on the invitation. In
addition to when, where, why, include dress code, gift policy, times for
special presentations, phone number of the event site for baby sitter.
·
Provide
clear directions and if necessary, a map.
·
Make
sure you have sufficient parking spots or hire a few young, licensed drivers to
act as a valet service. If you live near a public parking area, you can suggest
guests park there and then have one or two cars available to shuttle guests
back and forth.
·
Clear
away any snow or ice from your walkway. Use sand or cat liter to create a
no-slip zone. (Salt can damage your concrete.)
·
Remember,
this is a party, not a visit from the Inspector General. You don't have to
clean every nook, cranny and closet. Clean the areas where guests will gather
and close off the doors to your less "hospitable" areas. Lower the lights, light some candles and enjoy. Or, get your whole
family involved in the clean-up. If they worked hard to make the house
presentable, they're less likely to be careless and get it dirty before your
party starts.
·
Keep
extra towels and toilet tissue in your bathroom. If you're using paper guest
towels, crumple one up and toss it into a nearby waste basket so guests will
know what the towels are for.
·
Guide
guests to the entrance with clearly visible signs or guide-items such as
balloons or lights to lead guests right to your door.
Lead them from the lobby to the banquet room with signs or greeters.
·
Have
an official greeter at the front door to ease those awkward moments when guests
arrive and are not sure of just what to do next.
·
Clear
out a closet or rent a coat rack. There's little that's more frustrating to a
guest than having to dig their coat out of a pile on a bed.
·
Make
sure guests are offered some type of food and a beverage within a few minutes
of arrival.
·
Control
music volume and room temperature.
·
Limit
the use of scented candles in a crowded room, especially those with heavy
scents which can become overpowering and alter the taste of your food. (Never
leave lit candles unattended and place only in areas where they can't be
jostled.)
·
Provide
name tags as an anxiety-reliever when the guests do not know each other or are
distant relatives who have not seen each other in quite some time.
·
For
sit down meals, assign, if not a specific seat, then a particular table so that
your guests need not wander about with food and beverage in hand.
·
Reserve
seats for elderly, parents with small children or otherwise challenged guests
if you are not planning on seating for everyone.
·
At
large parties, serve from both sides of a buffet and
call table numbers to decrease the wait on line. For standing-room-only meals,
cut foods to bite-size requiring only a toothpick or fork.
·
Clear
off table tops or provide small tables so guests will have a place to rest
their food and/or drink. Or use plate holders designed to carry food and a
beverage in one hand.
·
Be
prepared to serve a variety of delicious and attractive non-alcoholic drinks
such as fruit juice spritzers, punch "without
the punch," or Martinelli's Sparkling Cider for
your tee-totalers or designated drivers.
·
Pay
attention to guests' dietary needs. For instance, if you know someone is a
diabetic, include sugar-free desserts or fruit along with your more traditional
desserts. Since so many people are on a
low-carb or vegetarian diet these days, be sure to
have plenty of complex carbohydrates (whole wheat pasta and breads, green
veggies, sweet potatoes and so forth) on your buffet with lots of protein items
to ensure every guest can find something delicious to eat.
·
This
is also true of your beverages. In addition to diet soft drinks or club soda,
offer guests an assortment of drinks including low carb
varieties such as Coors Aspen Edge beer.
·
If
the party is moving along well and everyone is having a great time, relax and
enjoy yourself. But if you find that the energy level is down and guests are
getting restless and a little bored or if you want to do something a little
different, have some other activities to encourage guest interest. For
instance:
o
Arrange
a photo swap if you have a large number of friends and family members who
repeatedly get together and might want to share duplicates of pictures from
past events.
o
Tour
your city's best holiday decorated homes and attractions.
o
Start
a sing-along of carols. If you're guests are game, "take your act on the
road" and go caroling in your neighborhood.
o
Go
ice skating or build a snowman if the weather permits.
o
Start
your own traditions. Bring out the video camera or tape recorder and interview
your guests. The tapes can then be given to family members unable to attend or
you can start your own family/friend history book to be shared and updated over
the years.
·
The
holiday season also brings out strong charitable feelings in many people. Give
them an outlet to share those feelings with others in need. For instance, you
might consider doing some altruistic deeds as part of your celebration.
o
Invite
guests to bring an unwrapped toy that can be donated to the Toys for Tots or
other charitable toy drive.
o
Ask
guests to bring some non-perishable foods which can be donated to a local
shelter, food bank or house of worship.
o
Contact
your local American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, church, synagogue or
o
Don't
forget the children. Very often they get lost in the shuffle or become
overwhelmed with their own gifts. Let them participate by donating one of their
new or gently-used toys, books or clothes to another less fortunate child.
o
Children
also can be entertained by making ornaments for their own tree or to be donated
to a charity.
·
Let
family and friends get involved with the celebration. Most people want to
participate and feel as if they made a contribution to the success of your
gathering.
o
Let
them bring along a favorite dish if they choose.
o
Swap
recipes or put together a booklet of recipes of family and friend favorites to
share with everyone.
o
Have
them help decorate the party site.
o
Ask
one or two close friends or family members to volunteer to be designated
drivers to ensure all of your guests arrive safely home, particularly those who
may have over-indulged.
o
Let
one or more guests take turns as the bartender or assist you with cleaning up
during and/or after the party.
·
Don't
stress yourself out. Don't try to do too much. It's not essential that you make
every single dish from scratch. Use mixes and pre-packaged foods. Also, there's
nothing wrong with having some or part of your menu catered. Or bring in
take-out. Just re-plate it on decorative trays and in festive bowls. Dispose of
the take-out "evidence" and take your bows. Guests will remember the
fun they had much more than if you made a peerless pouched salmon.
·
Give
guests a lasting reminder of the fun time they had with a party favor. If you
choose wisely, your favor can serve triple duty as décor, a place card and a
favor. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate or expensive. You can create
many items from natural materials such as pine cones, evergreens, fruits and
nuts or items you find in craft stores. Or take the easy way out. Find
affordable but fun gifts in your local discount or dollar store. (However, the
best deals and your biggest selection will be available in late October or
early November. So plan to shop and buy early.)
·
You
also can shop online from the comfort of your home. You can purchase everything
from décor to food to attire and never have to fight to find a parking
space. Instead, go to our Party Mall
(http://partyplansplus.com/partymall.htm). All you have to do is point, click,
pay and wait. Let the party come to you.
·
If
something goes wrong (and it often does with even the best of planning), take
it in stride. You can immediately deal with the "crisis," but don't
overreact.
o
Spilled
red wine on your couch? Pour a box of salt on the spot. Throw a towel over it
and forget about it. The salt will absorb the liquid and you can vacuum it away
the next day. If there's a residual spot, keep a clean, white, damp towel on it
until you can have it professionally cleaned. Or serve white wine!
o
Guest
break a glass? Sweep up the mess and give the guest
another glass.
o
Worried
about precious heirlooms being broken? Remove them from the party site before
the celebration so nothing can go wrong.
o
Burned
your meal? Make scrambled eggs, order take-out or pizza. It will make for a
great story at future parties and become "party lore."
o
Have
a cranky uncle who really doesn't want to party and would rather watch the
game? Put him in another room, bring him food and close the door. He'll be
happy and so will the rest of your guests.
o
Kids
underfoot? Rent a few videos, give them crafts to make, or hire a babysitter to
entertain the children while the adults have fun.
o
Afraid
of water marks on your furniture? Cover your furnishings with placemats or
pieces of decorative fabric.
o
Someone
over-imbibes? Forget the coffee. You'll only have a wide-awake drunk. Serve
them water, aspirin and ask one of the designated drivers to take them home. Or
simply put them into a darkened guest room until the next day.
Most of all, be relaxed and comfortable yourself, to set the
example for your guests. When your guests are comfortable, they will enjoy
the special plans you have made for them and your celebration will be a
sensational success and you will have been the perfect stress-free host.
RADIO INTERVIEW
Party Planner
Provides Tips on How to Throw a Memorable
The
holiday season is in full swing – and so is the party planning that accompanies
this festive time. And, to help
listeners plan this year’s holiday fete, Phyllis Cambria, co-author of The Complete
Idiot's Guide to Throwing a Great Party and The Pocket Idiot's Guide to
Choosing a Caterer, shares her
recipe for a great party – family, friends, food and fun.
First and foremost Phyllis stresses the
importance of making your guests comfortable – because keeping guests merry makes
for a celebratory atmosphere. Some tips
she has that will be sure to keep guests in a festive mood are:
INTERVIEW
WITH: Phyllis Cambria is a
nationally-recognized, award-winning party
expert, event marketing expert, author
and sought-after speaker. Her
lively, useful and humor-filled seminars and her ingenious and easy-to-follow
advice in books, magazines, newspapers and websites have charmed and informed
audiences everywhere. Phyllis is co-author, with Patty Sachs, of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Throwing a
Great Party (Alpha Books/Macmillan), The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Choosing a Caterer (Alpha
Books/Penguin), and is the author of the Event and Party Planning Careers: The Ultimate
Step-by-Step Guide to Get Started and Succeed (SWP Press). Additional, party planning ideas can be found
at www.partyplansplus.com.
SUGGESTED
QUESTIONS:
·
What are the essential ingredients to creating a
great holiday party?
·
Should hosts find
out what dietary restrictions their guests may have?
·
What types of food
and beverages should be on hand to meet most guests’ dietary needs?
·
What are some fun
activities that hosts can plan to keep the party festive?
·
Are favors
an important part of making a memorable party?
Visit
the PartyPlansPlus Party Mall
Back
to PartyPlansPlus.com party plan list
Visit
WeddingPlansPlus.com