Your husband calls to tell you that his boss has asked him to have the office over to your home next week for the office holiday party. Can you handle it like a pro?
The answer is yes. And, here’s how. But, remember, most AMAZING ideas are really not new, but borrowed and tweaked. And remember — don’t freak out.
What you think is a mess or mistake will probably not be noticed by anyone but you. Follow these easy ideas, provided by The University of Alabama’s Susan Newman, to make your ‘holiday party’ seamless and stress free:
- Get an accurate count on the number of attendees, and pad it for those people who forget to RSVP; people rarely do anymore.
- What is your theme? Each year, there is a “hot” color. Visit pantone.com/coloroftheyear. See if you can incorporate this year’s color into your design.
- You can arrange those flowers. You just need a vase and a metal frog in the center. This “frog” is not an amphibian, but it has little metal spines to hold flower stems upright. Your local grocery store has great bunches of floral at great prices; most bunches are 3 for $10.
- Send out an invite to get people excited about your party. The invite sets the tone and mood for the party. If that is not in the budget, then try online for trendy, inexpensive invites. My favorite is paperlesspost.com. It’s very budget-friendly.
- You don’t have china for 50 guests? There are awesome plastic wear items that look like real china, but you get to toss it out and not have to worry about washing those dishes. Check it out: http://www.divinedisposables.com/modules/cart/navigate.php/cart_nav_id/44
- Christmas ornament balls are so budget friendly and can be bought in bulk. You can place them just about anywhere in your house, like in vases, trays and bowls.
- Battery operated lights are also a good alternative. They are more expensive, but you don’t have to look for that outlet, and you can place them anywhere. They come in many assorted colors and can be simply placed in a vase to make a statement of their own.
- Fresh greenery is always the best. It puts the smell of the holiday season in your home. All big home improvement stores offer tree cutting when you buy a tree. The branches that are cut off are complimentary. Place this greenery around your door, on your mantel or around the base of your arrangement. It definitely sets the mood and smells fabulous.
- Make your whole house smell like the holidays by simmering orange peel, cranberries, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract and water. Leave it on the stove on simmer.
- Lastly, make your menu simple and delicious. Small bite size pieces work best. Also, make sure to have vegetarian options. Don’t try to make impossible things when all that people really want are good and wholesome, yet satisfying, foods.
Newman is the events coordinator for UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce.
