By Rob Hard

Source: The Balance

If you’ve been tasked with planning the annual employee holiday party for your company, follow a few basic guidelines to get the most out of your special event and can help you reduce costs without impacting its quality. By carefully evaluating the best way to approach and execute this holiday party, you can create an experience that not only boosts company morale but also increases employee satisfaction and retention levels across the board.

It’s important to start with the basics—what theme should the party have, where should it take place, how many people are coming, when should it happen, and what food and drinks will be served during the occasion—before moving on to specialized planning and eventually event execution.

The Basic Elements of a Holiday Company Event

Of course, like any other event or project, you need to create a project plan that identifies the event details for the employee holiday party. Theme, venue, time, date, guest count, food and beverage selections, decor, and event agenda must all be considered before you begin to execute your event.

Every good party needs these core elements to be successful, but not everything has to be set in stone before you begin to execute on getting your needs met (like securing a venue, booking a caterer, or planning an agenda).

Although there are many ways to approach these decisions, and decisions for higher-level ideas like theme and timing often fall on executives of the company instead of the event producer, it’s best to work with a team to decide which details are right for your specific company.

Choose the Most Effective Time to Hold Your Event

The best time to hold an employee holiday party is probably during the lunch hour. Historical holiday party data from Winston Battalia shows a growing trend to this decision, reflecting that more than two-fifths of corporate events take place during the lunch hour.

Unfortunately, not everyone may have the opportunity to participate in the event because someone must stay back and answer customer calls and inquiries. But a lunch hour event allows the organization to control costs and reduces the obligations on employees’ personal time and commitments.

If the organization isn’t hosting a lunch program, then they will host an evening event, which allows more employees to attend, but can often come with higher costs, depending on which evening of the week the event is held.

So how do you get the biggest bang for the buck? While some may think that Friday is the best day to hold the event because most employees will be off for the weekend, Friday is the most popular day of the week at restaurants and other venues—the most expensive time. Few organizations will want to consider Sunday evening, so it seems the next best option may be Monday night.

Consider Hosting a Party in the Off-Season

Instead of defaulting to the annual Christmas or Thanksgiving party, why not consider hosting an event that’s specifically for employee appreciation, when no other holiday is coming up on the company calendar?

Early October and late January are great times to hold an annual appreciation party as you can find an increased availability of off-site venue options, save money on catering expenses, and potentially get better deals on party packages during this event off-season.

One drawback to creating an annual appreciation party instead of celebrating the common annual holidays is that employees might not remember this as a tradition as well as they do Christmas or New Year’s parties. You’ll want to make sure to build hype around the event if it’s not a traditional holiday party.

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By Margaret Bristol

Source: Good Housekeeping

‘Tis the season to eat, drink, and be merry, but sometimes playing hostess can feel more like a burden than a blessing. We asked our Good Housekeeping Institute pros and a few party planners for advice on how to throw the perfect holiday soiree — minus the headache.

Mix Self-Serve Cocktails

Source: The Study

Tree lightings, caroling, gift giving. This time of year brings a lot of time-honored traditions with it, but none so treasured as the holiday get-together.

Still, as any seasoned party host will attest, planning the perfect holiday celebration — with decor that looks like it could have been ripped from an issue of Architectural Digest, and a menu that rivals something concocted by Thomas Keller — isn’t a walk in the park, and living up to expectations set by the ghosts of parties past can be daunting.

Looking for some tips and tricks on how to elevate the annual at-home holiday party, we asked some of our friends (each an expert entertainer) for advice on everything from decor to flowers to menus to music. Consider this your guide to making your holiday party the coveted invite of the season.

Here are some playful and elegant holiday  center pieces and table top ideas for the celebratory weeks to come!

Create a winter wonderland in the center of your table. Place a minature shrub or tree in the center of your table. Cover the pot with a piece of brown paper and a ribbon. Lay faux snow around the pot of the plant and sprinkle some onto the leaves of the plant. (Buy the snow that has a bit of sparkle already built in to catch your guests’ eyes!) Lastly, place a glass dome over your mini winter wonderland.

https://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com/winter-wonderland-wedding.html

Have some old garland or ornaments away in storage? Fill a festive bowl filled with various ornaments and garland in one color make an elegant centerpiece for any holiday. This centerpiece not limited to Christmas. You could fill your bowl with blue, gold, white, or silver ornaments for a wintery chic look.

https://relishcaterers.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/656c6-aball3.jpg

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Source: Relish

Weddings can induce some crazy behavior. Emotions are high, families are thrown together, and everyone must conform to a tight schedule, not to mention the shenanigans that ensue when there’s an open bar involved.

Sarah Pease, a well-known New York City proposal planner, has been planning weddings since 2008 with her company Brilliant Event Planning. She’s seen everything from the “bridezilla” stressing about every detail to guests showing up in white — a major faux pas.

Pease shared a list of 10 ultimate wedding guest “don’ts” with Business Insider.

Don’t deviate from a schedule

“It’s not a very sexy idea, but planning can really impact your day and the happiness of everyone there,” Pease said. “If you’ve got to be at the church by 6 p.m., the bride has to leave the hotel by 4:30 because it will take her a half-hour to get into her dress. The hair and make-up people need to know that everyone has to be done by 4:45 so they can help the bride get into her dress. And so on.

“If you’re helping or attending, stick to the timeline so the bride only has to worry about her schedule.”

Don’t wing a wedding speech

“People who say they’re just going to wing it crash and burn every time,” she said. “You wouldn’t show up to a half-marathon without training, so don’t show up to the wedding without a prepared speech.”

“And keep it short,” Pease added. “A five-minute speech is long. Hit three general ideas. Don’t ramble. In my experience, you’ll get on a tangent and then start talking about something uncomfortable.”

Don’t wear anything resembling white if you’re not the bride

“The bride should be the only person wearing white,” Pease said. “There’s always at least one person, man or woman, who shows up to the wedding as a guest wearing white or a color too close to white.”

Don’t stiff the bartender

“You should still tip the bartender even at an open bar because they’re making your drink right there,” she said. “It’s a nice service and they’re there for a long time.”

Don’t get drunk

“This is really up to each person, but there’s this idea of ‘wedding drunk’ that I find useful,” she said. “Basically, don’t become a hassle for the bride and groom.”

Don’t complain about the food

Wedding food is notoriously bad, but Pease advises sucking it up. “The rule of thumb is, ask yourself will this upset the bride and groom. If the answer is yes, you shouldn’t do it.”

“You could have a Michelin chef cooking for everyone and some people would still complain,” she said. “Just focus on what’s good about the wedding, like getting to celebrate with friends and family.”

Don’t monopolize the bride and groom

“Cocktail hour is a great time to spend two minutes with the couple,” Pease said. “Don’t track them down and try to spend 30 minutes catching up. If they did that with all 200 of their guests, they’d run out of time.”

“The best thing to do is say a quick congratulations,” she said. “You can always schedule a phone call or lunch with the bride or groom for later.”

Don’t get too aggressive with the bouquet toss

“You’ve either got a wedding full of single girls or possibly some divorcees,” Pease said, “but either way emotions can run high if you think about it as a literal sign for who’s getting married next. I like when there’s an alliance to flip it to a girl who really wants it.”

“If guys want to get in on the action, by all means go for it,” she added. “Just be gentle. Don’t tackle anyone. It’s not a contact sport.”

Don’t buy a gift the couple didn’t put on their registry

“Going off registry is always a contentious subject,” Pease said. “Some people think an off-registry gift is more personal or heartfelt. But honest to God, people really just want the stuff on their registry. That’s why they picked it.”

“But if you do choose to go off registry, cash is a better option than an alternate gift,” she told us. “I prefer cash gifts where the giver says, ‘Here’s x-number of dollars for a helicopter ride in Hawaii, close to where you’re honeymooning,’ or ‘Here’s something to put toward your new mortgage.’ Something like that to give the money a purpose.”

Don’t steal souvenirs from the wedding decorations

“Always check with the venue before you grab anything,” Pease advised. “Don’t ask the bride and groom, but you can ask a waiter or a wedding planner.”

“Sometimes, depending on something like an agreement with a florist, you can take the whole centerpiece,” she said. “Other times, the vases are rentals or the flowers are being donated to a local hospital the next morning. It’s always best to check.”

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By Cambria Bold

Source: The Kitchn

There’s a special feeling that comes over you when you’re halfway through the perfect dinner at a friend’s house. She always manages to do this, your friend — make you feel like the evening could go on forever and you wouldn’t mind. Her last dinner was like this, too. You just really enjoyed yourself, and you’re not sure how she did it. Was it the food, the lighting, the people? You didn’t feel the need to pull out your phone even once, and that never happens.

True hospitality is subtle, as I’ve written before. You don’t realize you’re getting it until after you’re already feeling totally comfortable. One way to figure out the secrets of a superb host? Start with the end result, the good feelings that you, the guest, experience. Here are five things a good host makes you feel, and how they (slyly) do it.

1. You feel totally relaxed and comfortable.

The evening is well underway, and if your shoulders could talk, they would say “Thank you for finally removing me from your ears!” You’re mingling without obligation, you’re talking without feeling self-conscious, you’re laughing because, well, laughing is the best and something as funny. You may even be dancing. And you’re doing it all spontaneously! (And no, it’s not because of the alcohol.) What is happening?!

How your host does it: It starts with the basics, like making sure the house is clean and playing good tunes. After that, it’s all about fine-tuning. Everyone has a different definition of what’s comfortable, but a good host creates a vibe that works for anyone. It may be lounge-y and informal or glammed up; it may be communal or funky. But she lets her guests know what to expect, if necessary, and then helps them tune their inner stations to the vibe she’s working.

2. You feel pampered.

Someone just helped you put your stuff down and is now offering you a cocktail, while your host just came around the corner with a plate of appetizers. Your friend ushers you out to the patio, where she tells you to chill out for awhile while she finishes up in the kitchen. You offer to help, but she refuses. Not a chance, she says. Go enjoy your drink!

Out on the patio you settle into an Adirondack chair, which she’s plumped with a squishy pillow. The setting sun sends pink streaks across the sky. You put on your sunglasses, lean back, and take a sip of your Old Fashioned. You think you hear music, but it may just be in your head, since you are clearly in a movie scene right now. A bird chirps. And another guest strikes up a conversation.

How your host does it: As outlined above, from the moment you walk through the door, your host has set up the Path to Pampering. There’s a place to put your things (or someone to take them), something to eat and drink, somewhere comfy to do it, and someone to talk to while doing it.

That in and of itself is good enough for most people, but a good host keeps it coming. The cooler gets refilled before you even notice it’s empty, appetizers are replenished, a new wine bottle corked and set on the table. All the while the music keeps playing, and you never, ever have to ask for a roll of toilet paper. (There’s a full basket of readily available TP in the candle-lit bathroom.)

And yes, the pampering extends to accommodating special diets, but even there your host has a few solid options. How can things get any better? Well, at this point…

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By Nicole Stevenson

Source: Dear Handmade Life

My favorite karaoke bar in my town closed down last year. Although I love karaoke, I’m not a diehard karaoke junkie but a few times a year I get this itch that can only be scratched by a night spent singing singing off-key in front of dozens of strangers. I found myself deeply missing my favorite spot to do just that. The place I went to was a Chinese restaurant with a big back room that became a standing room only karaoke bar every Thursday night. I missed the smells of pork lo mein and crab rangoon sneaking in from the kitchen. I missed the middle-aged woman in the matronly dress who would come there alone and sing the most quietly lovely version of Nina Simone’s ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ every week. BUT I didn’t miss the troves of drunk girls screeching songs like ‘You Oughta Know’ until my ears were ringing. I also didn’t miss having to wait three hours to sing one song.

A few weeks ago my friend who shares my love for karaoke was visiting and we’d planned to check out a new spot to sing. As the day wore on we were tired and she suggested created our own karaoke bar in my backyard. We spent the next five hours (much to my neighbors dismay) barreling through every song we’d ever wanted to sing but didn’t sing when you’re at a bar you’re lucky if you get to belt out a few songs. It was awesome not to have to wait to sing, pay for drinks or be embarrassed when we sang off key or had bad timing.

If you get the karaoke itch like I do or are looking for a fun activity for your next backyard BBQ or birthday party, you should totally throw your own karaoke party. It’s way cheaper, chances are you already have most of what you need and you can do it whenever you want. Best of all you won’t have   to wait very long to sing or sit through tearful renditions of ‘Unchained Melody’ unless of course that’s the song you pick.

WHAT TO GET:

-iPad (like this)
-Stereo with aux input (I LOVE this one – it’s super retro)
-Stereo cable that connects an iPad to a stereo (like this)
-Microphone (this one is inexpensive)
-Amplifier (like this)
-Snacks
-Beverages
-Some props like wigs, hats, glasses and scarves
-Random musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, harmonicas or toy instruments (this pack is inexpensive and has a bunch of different kid’s instruments)

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By Anna Watson Carl

Source: Huffington Post

People tell me all the time that they are intimidated to host a dinner party. They’re not sure what to cook, worried about their lack of space, and afraid it will be a ton of work — so they end up going out to a restaurant (again). I want to demystify the process as much as possible, because honestly, cooking a meal for friends is one of the most rewarding things in life.

After years working as a personal chef, caterer, and food blogger, I’ve learned a couple of things about throwing dinner parties. One of the most important tips I can pass along is this: PLAN AHEAD. I don’t mean to start planning months in advance or anything, just try and do everything ahead that you can (cleaning, set-up, prep, cooking) so you can relax and enjoy your guests once they arrive.

When I throw dinner parties, I like mixing up the crowd a bit. I love to bring different friends together and watch the worlds collide. As important as the food and the ambiance are, it’s the people that make a dinner party. Though I may recall a certain dish the next day (if it was really good), what will linger for weeks and months are stories told, laughter shared, and new friendships formed.

With dinner parties, I’m a list-keeper. First, there’s the menu. Then the shopping list. Then there’s the to-do list (errands, cleaning, cooking, table, music, etc.), and finally the day of, the cooking prep list. I like to check things off and know where I stand in the process. I actually plan my dinner party menus based on the ability to make things in advance. If I can get the dessert done and the table set the night before, I already feel way ahead of the game. Also, don’t be afraid to delegate. Spread the work around-nobody said you have to do everything just because you’re hosting.

Another few tips for a stress-free dinner party:

• Set the ambiance: light some candles, dim the lights (which helps disguise those areas you didn’t have time to dust!), and have a great playlist going when guests arrive. I’m a sucker for jazz-Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Diana Krall, and St. Germain are all favorites of mine for dinner parties.
• Have drinks and snacks ready when guests arrive. This one is key. As long as everyone has something to sip, and something to nibble on, they are fine hanging out in the living room while I put the finishing touches on the meal. Lucky for me, we have an open kitchen that faces the living room, so I can still be part of the party while I’m cooking. And your hors d’oeuvres don’t need to be elaborate — I usually put out some good olives, a couple of cheeses, and crackers. Or a good homemade dip (like white bean hummus) and flatbread. Keep it simple!
• I’m a huge fan of one-pot dinners, especially in the fall and winter. Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, braised short ribs (basically anything cooked in red wine!), or a big pot of soup can be made in advance and reheated when everyone arrives. And best of all, it can be dished out right from the pot, served with a green salad and some crusty bread to round things out.
• Get some cool vintage bottles to use for water on your table. I use old milk bottles and glass carafes (no need for them to match!) and keep them filled with water during a dinner party so I don’t have to keep hopping up and down to refill water glasses.
• I love flowers, but I’m not a fan of tall arrangements on the table that block conversation. My mom gave me some of my great grandmother’s cosmetics bottles and they make beautiful little vases. I’ll put a single flower in each and line the table with these mismatched vintage arrangements. And I love to put one in the bathroom as well.
• Write your menu somewhere that everyone can see. I’ve got a chalkboard that hangs in the kitchen that I write the menu on, but sometimes it’s fun to have hand-written menu cards at everyone’s place.

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Source: Event Planning Blueprint

We’ve all had big decisions to make, right? Whether it’s about starting an event business, working for an event company, or what kind of clients to work with.

You’ve got important decisions to make about who to work with but you’re torn because you want to plan events. Period. And you wonder that if you plan all types of events, you’re playing it safe so many clients will hire you.

Before we move on, read this if you’re someone who spends any time wondering who your event niche is and who you want to work with.

Because here’s the thing…

I started my event planning business in 2004 from my kitchen table with less than $500 and very little experience. Prior to that, I volunteered for nonprofit organizations and planned a few promotional events for the company I worked for.

When I decided to stop ignoring my passion and take a leap of faith and start my event planning business, I had no idea what I was doing, or what to specialize in and I considered offering all event planning services to all people.

I mean, you have to pay the bills, right?

But soon after choosing my event niche, I was planning events with over 30,000 attendees, working with top international brands, professional athletes, and Hollywood actors.

 When it comes to choosing your event niche, here’s what you’ll learn in today’s video:

• How to decide which event niche is right for you
• About the different types of events and the benefits of choosing a niche rather than offering event services in EVERY type of event niche
• Why it’s important to identify what you’re qualified to do, what you value and what you enjoy doing

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