| So you want to host a holiday party this year? I | | | | is tricky, as I once bought some Budweiser but |
| have hosted several of these and can offer you | | | | one of my guests went to the corner store and |
| some tips for the planning process as well as for | | | | got what he wanted. You can't please everyone, |
| enjoying yourself during the occasion. Depending | | | | but that's ok! |
| on the type of person you are will depend on | | | | 6. At this point, it is about a week before the |
| how much preparation is needed to make your | | | | party. Send out a reminder to your guests. Start |
| holiday event special to you. For instance, I am a | | | | setting up, i.e., table(s) and chairs, moving stuff |
| stickler for matching everything. My theme is | | | | out of the way. The reason for doing all this in |
| usually traditional, holly berries and all. Paper plates | | | | advance is so you can relax and do only the |
| and cups must match, as well as the napkins. You | | | | minimum required on party day. Otherwise, you |
| get the idea. | | | | will be totally exhausted. |
| | | | 7. A couple of days before the party, head to |
| 1. Prepare well in advance, mapping out your | | | | your local grocer to pick up veggies and fruits. |
| "strategy." This will include plans to send out the | | | | The basic crudites are a must, so don't forget the |
| invite (at least a month in advance), clean your | | | | celery and carrots (baby carrots in a bag are |
| place up (give it a thorough once over) as well as | | | | ideal, as they're already cut up and peeled). Lemon |
| a timeline of when to do what, especially if you | | | | and lime for the drinks, grapes for the cheese |
| plan to make some of your own appetizers. If | | | | and crackers, and anything else that is easy to |
| you only have mostly weekends to spare, then | | | | prepare, serve and eat is what you want. Pick up |
| you will want to do your cleaning a couple of | | | | a bag of ice as well. |
| weeks ahead of time (dusting, vacuuming and | | | | 8. The day before the party is when you can |
| washing). | | | | chop up the celery, cheese, lemon and lime, and |
| 2. Also a week or two before is when you should | | | | store it all in ziploc bags for easy set up the next |
| put up the major decorations, including the tree. I | | | | day. Also, start arranging cups, plates and utensils, |
| usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, | | | | serving bowls and platters. |
| since my party is the first or second Saturday of | | | | 9. On the day of the party, sleep late. Turn off |
| the month. | | | | the heat as it will get too warm later on with |
| 3. If you have any nagging projects that are in | | | | everyone in the house and the oven having been |
| the way (i.e., shredding that mountain of paper), | | | | on and chafing dishes heating. Then, have a friend |
| do so at least 3-4 weeks in advance! | | | | come over in the late afternoon to help you set |
| 4. Save Sunday two weeks before to do an | | | | out the drinks, crudite and dip, chips and salsa, etc. |
| inventory and then buy any supplies or extra | | | | About an hour or two before the party, start |
| decorations you are missing, such as chafing | | | | heating up the appetizers. Guests don't normally |
| dishes, paper plates, napkins, cups, stirrers, plastic | | | | show up on time anyhow. |
| forks, etc. | | | | Some additional information: |
| 5. The weekend before the party, go to the | | | | I don't generally buy desserts, as with the food |
| supermarket or warehouse (i.e., Costco) and buy | | | | and liquor, guests just don't have the appetite for |
| your non-perishables, such as frozen appetizers, | | | | it. Also, guests usually bring the desserts, so the |
| soda, juice, chips, liquor, salsas, dips (or make | | | | only thing I'll put out is some seasonal candy. Have |
| your own), nuts, cheeses, olives, and whatever | | | | a friend put some music together. It helps to |
| else you desire. If you are making some of your | | | | delegate. Having the radio on with commercials |
| own appetizers (I say some because it is time | | | | doesn't do the party any good. |
| consuming, so try to balance buying some ready | | | | Remember to have fun and try not to be |
| made ones), buy those ingredients as well. As for | | | | concerned with every aspect of the party once it |
| liquor, guests tend to bring wine as host gifts so | | | | has started. You worked hard and want to relax |
| do not buy more than one or two bottles. Do get | | | | and enjoy the evening. |
| the basics, such as rum and a good vodka. Beer | | | | |