simplify your party for the holidays

Tweet

Here are five steps to help with the holidays comming up. Step1 Have a signature cocktail. Preparing a signature cocktail, 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. Step2 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. Arugala 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. Step3 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. Step4 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. Step5 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. When I read these I was ready to give my party. Not a whole lot of trouble and not to expensive. Enjoy