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Need Help Cocktail Party Planning?

May 16, 2013 By Comments
1950s cocktail party

Photo courtesy of NinaZed

I always feel a bit of extra stress whenever I am planning a party. As a person that plans events for a living, I am constantly asked “how to” planning questions from friends and family organizing their own parties. The latest round of questions was all about cocktail party planning and tips to ensure an enjoyable and delicious time. As it happens cocktail parties are my most favorite parties to organize. They are easy peasy to plan, filled with fun and pretty low cost when it comes to the budget.

The three main recipe fixings for a traditional yet successful cocktail party is; planning, friends and the menu. Cocktail parties are a great way to catch-up and have some plain old friend fun. Classically a cocktail party lasts for about three or four hours and incudes a scrumptious array of food and of course cocktails while providing the opportunity to enjoy friends.
Really the secret to any great party is when the stress free host has just as much fun as the invited guests.

Cocktail Party Planning Tip One – It’s All About the Planning

Enjoyable parties don’t happen by accident. When it comes to planning we all want to throw the best possible party. And even the most basic of parties require some pre-thinking and foresight. By taking the time to think ahead and then mix it with a bit of planning and creativity, will provide the perfect combination for a stress free party experience.

First and foremost ask yourself; what kind of party do I want to throw? And once you’ve answer that question and decided on formal and elegant or informal and laid back, you can begin the planning process. As mentioned, planning and preparation is the key to any party’s success. And when cocktail party planning and looking for an effortless experience, it is essential to track all and I do mean all, the require items and tasks on a checklist. Be sure to take into account the theme, food, beverages, rentals, decorations and entertainment, and every other thing needed and then determine a budget. And a checklist and budget are definitely no good unless you put it to use.

Cocktail Party Planning Tip Two – It’s All About the Friends

An important part of cocktail party planning is creating the just right guest list. For so many reasons it’s crucial to make and be true to a guest list; first to ensure no one is missed, second so you don’t go over budget and third so the number of guests you invite can in deed fit the space.

It goes without saying you want to invite a group of likable and interesting people, that love socializing over good food and drinks and enjoy a groovy shindig. In part party success depends on guests that are outgoing, gregarious and able to engage in stimulating conversation. So make your list and yes check it twice, consider the different people and their personalities, how they will or won’t intermingle and ask yourself, are they the right fit for this party or not. Good guests make for a good party and compatibility is definitely the name of the game to keep the conversation flowing and the party entertaining. Compatibility is definitely the name of the game to keep the conversation flowing and the party entertaining. Don’t forget good guests make for a good party.

Cocktail Party Planning Tip Three – It’s All About the Menu

A great thing about a cocktail party is the guests are able to socialize while at the same time enjoy a beverage or more and a bite. When talking menu my first bit of advice is to follow the KISS rule, keep it simple silly. Simplify the menu and don’t make thing too difficult for yourself. If you think you have to be all things to all people and provide a huge variety of fixings’ you will end up spending too much and generating way to much work. With enough time even if the budget is tight you can create a wonderfully delicious yet simple spread. So be creative with your menu options and make life easier while helping to control costs. Consider serving easy to make (and delicious) hors d’oeuvres and appetizer platters. And keep in mind guests will forgo dinner and load up on party hors d’oeuvres and it is the task of the host to balance it all out, providing enough food without having lots of leftovers. Typically I plan for at least ten different kinds of hors d’oeuvres and assume on average a guest will consume 10-20 pieces.

Of course when throwing a cocktail party it is imperative to have cocktails. When it comes to the bar, we all have the fear we’ll run out of something. So we think we have to overstock it with every single thing and lots of it. So not true! A good bar should be stocked with wine and beer and a variety of liquors and fixings to make your friend’s favs as well as the in-style drinks. Remember the bar should be set up and ready prior to the guests’ arrival. And don’t forget about extra, cause you will need it ice, glassware, garnishes and plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. Once you have an idea of the bar set up you will want to estimate the amount of supplies necessary to accommodate your guests. On average each guest will consume two drinks within the first hour and then one drink every hour after that.

It is true a cocktail party can be one of the easier parties to host. The majority of work can be accomplished long before the party guests arrive. So when it’s party time the host can enjoy the party along with the guests. Don’t forget a successful cocktail party one that has that perfect combination of planning, friends, food and drink. It falls on the host to be sure the cocktails, nibbles and conversation is a rockin and a rolling and before you know it your party will be filled with lots of laughter and fun.

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Eco Friendly Party Planning Where Less Becomes More!

April 30, 2013 By Comments
Green shade

Photo courtesy of Visual Artist Frank Bonilla

This weekend I helped a friend with her eco friendly party planning and the experience was special. About four months ago she approached me and asked for some assistance. She wanted to plan and host a birthday party for her significant other and her idea was to throw a rocking bash in the most eco friendly way as possible. She continues to inspire me daily as she is a big proponent of the three R’s; reduce, reuse and recycle, all in the effort to help reduce the excess that can end up in the garbage.

Parties are all about indulging, pampering and treating the guest of honor in an extraordinarily special way. When you think party planning you think about all you can do; plotting, organizing and shopping to create just that kind of an event. But when party planning strategizing, so many of us don’t consider the importance of being green, reducing consumption and utilizing environmentally sound resources.

The Key to Eco Friendly Party Planning!

As we went about organizing the celebration making and executing the party decisions; for invites, food, drinks, decorations and the like there was one major stipulation. The plan was that after the party guests had enjoyed, consumed and departed and clean-up was completed we would be left with only one bag of garbage. Yep you heard it here; the strategy was after all was said and done to incorporate only reusable, recyclable and compostable elements so that our only souvenir would be one, one bag of garbage. I for one was incredibly skeptical and didn’t think for one second it could be done. But that didn’t stop us from trying and I’m happy to admit I was wrong and we were able to accomplish our plan. And this experience really did change the way I think about being green when it comes to executing parties and events.

One of the more important factors, I did learned was that when it comes to achieving a successful eco friendly party; the key is planning, planning, planning.

Tips to Get Started Eco Friendly Party Planning

You can easily plan an eco friendly, tasteful get-together without giving up on any of the style, pleasure and joy. With some thought and preparation, you can throw a fabulous party that is not only eco friendly and good for the planet but is as equally enjoyable for your guests. So say so long (for a night) to your garbage can and hello to party planning tips:

Invitations – There are all sorts of ways to invite guests while at the same time saving the planet and staying green. Use that newfangled invention, the phone and call or go the paperless route and send invitations by utilizing your favorite site like Evite.com or Punchbowl.com. Or just log onto the computer and send out an email with all the details. For my friend’s party we went the way of seed paper, we outlined all the details on wildflower seed paper, hand delivered them which can be planted after the party.

Decorations – When it comes to decorating at an eco friendly party a bit of creativity will go a long way. As a substitute to running out to the store and spending more money; why not reuse decorations from previous bashes, integrate items from around the home, go with real plates, glasses, cutlery, table linens and napkins instead of going the paper or disposal route and if due to size going the disposable direction is imperative be sure to check out the eco friendly types. And what about utilizing the natural light whenever possible, using local potted plants, flowers and actual fruit and vegetables for centerpieces and to beautify. Try and keep away from disposable almost anything when possible, as it almost always ends up in the trash. When it comes to eco friendly decorating, a good recommendation is to consider cloth in place of paper and paper in place of plastic. It is surprising how many different ways there are to reuse, re-purpose and recycle things that at some point were believed to be garbage.

Food – What you serve at your environmentally friendly party can have a huge effect on the party’s over all eco footprint. And when it comes to planning an eco friendly party menu it all starts with the food so first and foremost think seasonal and think local. It has been said purchasing locally produced foods is one of the greatest things one can do to be green. And by going with “in season” locally sourced food will certainly make a difference to your bottom line and save you some buckaroos. There are many ways to reduce our environmental influence on what we are eating and drinking by being aware of packaging, greenhouse emissions and the use of fertilizers and pesticides, make a point of understanding how and what is produced and grown in your area. If you cater your party choose a caterer that is eco friendly and uses organic and local ingredients.

Waste – Set your game plan to zero waste. The whole point of an eco friendly party is to generate as little waste as possible. During the party make it easy for your guests to recycle by setting up recycling and compost bins around the party space. And when clearing up be sure to take time to sort things out and put them in the appropriate bins. And when everyone has departed and it’s time to clean up; shun severe chemicals and use only green cleaning products

You can definitely make a statement by making the right eco friendly choices. Just ask Glad.com where they say “Small changes can make a big difference. Like when you reduce landfill waste at your next event to just one bag, and send the rest to recycling and composting.” It’s easier than you think to plan a party and stay environmentally conscious at the same time. We can all help eradicate excessive waste by utilizing items that we already have and that can be recycled, reused and re-purposed.

 

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Interested In becoming a Party Planner?

April 23, 2013 By Comments
cartoon diva party planner

Photo courtesy of TLC

Like a lot of planners at one point in my career I was fortunate to experience being a party planner. Frankly, the majority of my work in this industry has been as a meeting and event planner organizing conferences and meetings tackling all the ins and outs it takes to plan successful scenarios. However at a time due to circumstances I zigged instead of zagging and veered off and was able to expand my circle, knowledge and experiences.

As luck would have it, I spent a smattering of time as a wedding planner and a party planner and enjoyed almost every minute of it. And during that time not only was I able to brush up on my skills and learn a lot I was able to gain some insight into other areas of the planning business.

What is the Job of a Party Planner?

The job of a party planner is to organize and manage parties and shindigs of all sorts and sizes from small to large. A party planner is responsible to arrange and oversee each and every element from the theme to the location to food and more. And while you get to meet lots of great people and the job can look more than exciting from the outside looking in, in reality it can be extremely challenging, stressful, time consuming and hard work.

A Party planner is required to use their vision, resourcefulness and creativeness and take a client’s ideas and concepts and transform them into a dream party and while you put out a lot you really do get so much more back.

Learning, Education and a Party Planner

When it comes to party planning this is a career that doesn’t command an infinite number of traditional educational requirements. And while obtaining some credentials will definitely assist would-be planners acquire the basic expertise, guidance and instruction needed for success. Some of the most important party planning tools are hands-on experience, networking and old fashion common sense. In order to get some hands-on training and experience and become more skilled there are huge benefits in working for an established party planner, at well-known parties and events or at party venues on a voluntary basis. Volunteering is the best way to acquire some of that much needed experience and know how. And network, network, network! Talk with industry professionals, make connections and create a network of folks you can trust and depend on when you need support, have questions or just need a shoulder.

As well there are copious amounts of help available from; books and blogs, tutorials and seminars, lectures and courses to help a newbie and hopeful planner get started and gain information.

The party planning and event planning business is one of the quickest growing businesses in the marketplace. Everyone thinks a party planner has the best and most exciting job ever. But like most things, it’s not as dazzling as it seems. Bear in mind like so many areas of expertise, success doesn’t come overnight it takes a lot of hard work, flexibility and experience.

 

 

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St. Patrick’s Day Party Fails (Comedy Video)

March 15, 2013 By Comments

Happy St. Patrick's Day cloverSt. Patrick’s Day officially started in the early 17th century. It’s recognized as an official holiday in Ireland (naturally). Even here in North America, it’s an official holiday in Newfoundland, Canada. Of course on March 17th of each year we all become a little more Irish – and green.

What is St. Patrick’s Day about?

When we think of St. Patrick’s Day, the more common items that pop into our minds are the green food and green beer. Yes, it’s pretty much the only day of the year where it would be considered acceptable to drink green beer and eat green food. It really is a celebration of all things Irish.

Here in North America, and especially in the more Irish cities such as New York and Chicago, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a parade followed by the usual fun fair at a local pub. And, as green is synonymous with Ireland, everything about St. Patrick’s Day decorations has to do with green. In Chicago, even the water goes green.

Of course when there is a little more cheer than normal involved things can, how shall we say this, sometimes get carried away. In the video below, from Huffington Post, take a look at some of the more humorous aspects of St. Patrick’s Day. Pretty safe to say that perhaps the people here were enjoying themselves a little too much.

From all of us here at Plan an Event, we wish you a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Try not to become part of next year’s video compilation. But enjoy yourselves!

 

 


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Valentine’s Day, Fun, Love, Parties and More!

February 14, 2013 By Comments

Photo courtesy of Images by John “K”

This time for year it’s all about romance and love. And depending on where you are in life you’re either looking really forward to it or you want to avoid it at all costs. So if you’re single or part of a couple you’re either thinking this  sucks or is the bees knees. For some, Valentine’s Day is all about hearts and flowers and brings an onslaught of romantic gestures, gift giving and dinners and the pressure is on to make this day extraordinary for their extra special one. While for others today is all about ignoring and avoiding. First and foremost we are all special and deserving of amour not only today but the rest of the year as well.

Valentine’s Day Parties – Why Not Rock Your Singleness!

So if this year you are rocking your singleness why not take the bull by the horns and throw a deserving singles party night. Invite the single people in your life and make the evening all about joy and fun, friendship and affection, laughter and glee. Or why not try a newer trend when it comes Valentine’s Day and parties, the Anti-Valentine’s Day Party otherwise known as the  I Hate Valentine’s Day Party. This is definitely not a sympathy soiree but really more of an uplifting fun fete. From the very beginning with the invitation, make your intentions and the party mood crystal clear. As I’m sure you could guess this party is all about opposites so take the “anti” theme and carry throughout. Red becomes black, romantic food becomes comfort food, dreamy decorations become sarcastic and mocking, love songs and music become sad and anti-love songs, you get the picture.

For an “anti” party my friend threw last year she urged the guests to bring pictures, letters and souvenirs of past love and we actually held a ceremony that concluded in the burning of the past. Let me just say it was one of the best parties ever. Really I am telling you I can’t remember a day where I laughed that hard. I often write about parties that were unforgettable and this one truly was.

Valentine’s Day Parties – Fun, laughter and Friends!

Take it from me, don’t let this commercial day of giving bring you down, February 14th is all about love and happiness and you don’t have to be a couple to partake. In honor of today and with thanks to the talented Bryant Oden before you know it you will be getting into the mood with this cute and funny Valentine’s Day song.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

 

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Kids Birthday Party Planning

January 24, 2013 By Comments
happy birthday written in the sand

Photo courtesy of Markus Unger

When it comes to parents, their kids and celebrating it’s all about kids birthday party planning.

A friend recently asked for some tips to help her plan her kid’s upcoming birthday party. It made me think back and remember when I was just a wee tot and the best birthday parties were at home, a bunch of friends were invited over and then the fun would begin. Party games in the backyard, a bucket of KFC with the fixings and a basic (and I do mean basic) loot bag, oh the fun. To this day when I look at old pictures they still make me smile.

Kids Birthday Party Planning – It’s Has Everything to do with the Planning

Kids really do love a great birthday party. And organizing your kid’s birthday party can be a fun filled experience for everyone involved. With a bit of imagination, resourcefulness and preparation you can create a special celebration that will be treasured for years to come. It seems gone are the days when kids birthday party planning was easy peasy. These days a kids birthday party is not a last minute, take care of it on the fly, affair. It takes organization and a whole lot of planning, planning, and planning.

With all that’s involved with planning for a kid’s birthday party the power to make it as easy or as difficult rests in our hands.

Kids Birthday Party Planning Tips – Budgets, Conversations and Themes – Oh My!

Birthday Party Budget – The sooner you get started planning the simpler it will be to maintain a budget. There is nothing worse than planning a fabulous party only to find the budget does not support the plans. Most kids have little or no concept of costs and budgeting. So to avoid any kind of disappointment be sure to plan your money and create a budget. Amazing parties can be organized on any size budget. For it to be effective, not only is it important to create the budget you must follow it as well.

Birthday Party Conversation – Spare time does seem to be at a minimum these days. And it probably would be way easier to just come up with birthday ideas, create a plan and organize the party you think would be the bees’ knees for your kid. But wait the kid celebrating this special day will definitely have some thoughts about the party they want. So have a conversation and wherever possible include them in the planning process. Find out what they want when it comes to the party elements; theme, decorations, food, loot bag and guest list. This conversation will be the key to the party’s success and a very happy kid.

Birthday Party Theme – When it comes to finding that just right birthday party theme, if you can imagine it, you can create it. From princess to superhero, from cartoon characters to TV personalities the list of possibilities is endless. Talk with your child and find out what they want, what they really, really want. Let your child have a hand in picking the birthday party theme and once the theme has been decided on have it flow through every part of the celebration. Choosing a party theme will take this party from ho-hum to out of this world.

Kids Birthday Party Planning Tips – Party Plan, Guest List and Decorations – Oh My!

Birthday Party Plan – Once you have established the budget, had the conversation and selected the theme, lay down a plan. Plan everything from A to Z. And I do mean everything from the date and time to the location and decorations to the food and activities. If you start early and lay down a plan you will be sure to remember and include each and every detail. And with a plan you can start purchasing and creating all the supplies needed. Once the party date arrives you will have accomplished all the party objectives and goals and will be ready to go.

Birthday Party Guest List – When it comes to the guest list, we always want to invite each and every friend our kid has ever had. And really for birthday parties bigger isn’t always better. The number one rule for a kid’s party and the guest list; is to invite the number of guests that corresponds with the age of the one celebrating. Have your child help put together the guest list. And remember you always want to be able to oversee the number of guests invited. And help yourself by keeping a list of the yeses along with any special needs and requests.

Birthday Party Decorations – When it comes to birthday parties, ambiance is a very important part of the plan, some say it’s everything. A party definitely isn’t a party without creating the mood. So go big on the decorations. Use your imagination and creativity to set the tone and add to the party atmosphere. You can easily create that party feeling with balloons, streamers, banners and all kinds of party decorations.

Whenever planning a kids birthday party the ultimate goal it to plan the best possible party while at the same time have it be a most enjoyable and stress free process. Talk to your child and picture what you both want and create from there. Allow enough time to get it all done and remember there are lots of shortcuts and help available.

 

 

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Tired of Christmas Party Planning? Enjoy These Holiday Pranks.

December 27, 2012 By Comments

Tired of Christmas Party Planning Enjoy These Holiday PranksWith the big day behind us, many of you are relaxing and enjoying this time of year with family and friends.  All the Christmas party planning has been executed and, by now, mostly completed.  And you’re probably pretty tired of party planning (now you have an idea of a party planner’s job year round).

We won’t mention New Years Eve parties just yet…

So sit back, relax and enjoy our compilation (from our friends at Just for Laughs) of innocent Christmas pranks. A comedy video that’s all in good taste of course.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

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Holiday Party Planning and Some Great Tools to Help!

December 13, 2012 By Comments

Photo courtesy of chiaralily

‘Tis the season and all that jazz! Ask any party planner and they will tell you when it comes to a successful party success is definitely in the details. And when it comes to details success is in the planning, planning, planning. Especially during the holiday season when time is at a minimum and before you know it you’re throwing something together at the very last minute. So by taking the time to first consider the party type as well as the who, what, when and where of party planning and planning ahead will absolutely save you time, energy and yes stress.

For many planning a holiday soiree is the high point of their year. And who doesn’t want their party to be the best and brightest. Organizing and hosting a holiday party for your friends and family does not need the expertise and skills of a high-powered, A list professional planner. With some pre-planning, a bit of elbow grease and some great planning tools you can easily wow even the biggest of critics.

Holiday Party Planning with the Evite Party Budget Calculator

How many times have you heard; do we even have a budget for this? Holiday celebrations are exciting and enjoyable but frankly can be costly to host. When planning a party that bottom line is always forefront in our minds. With each party planned the feat of finding that perfect balance of how much to spend without literally breaking the bank can be so frustrating. Well now staying within a budget is as easy as one, two, three. Evite has a great handy dandy party tool, a Party Budget Calculator, to help. You simply enter the details, party style, number of guests and the party duration and poof the Evite Party Calculator will provide an estimation of expenses. Remember when it comes to holiday party spending it’s not how much you spend it’s how you spend it!

Holiday Party Planning with the Evite Party Planning Checklist

With Christmas and New Year’s Eve just around the corner everyone’s stress levels are snowballing. In a snap, party planning can easily become a hectic, all-consuming and nerve wracking situation. Repeat after me; this is the year to enjoy, not agonize and worry, about what is missing. A Party Planning Checklist will help you to set your priorities and schedule your time, allowing for a fun filled evening when it comes party time. A checklist will ensure you have thought of every single thing and will provide for a well-planned, stress free experience. Just enter the party information and the tool will provide a list of tasks with the matching due dates. And then just check off the items as they are accomplished and by the time the party arrives all the work will be done. Rumor has it the secret to party success is being prepared so in an effort to remain stress free and enjoy these special times a party planning checklist will be your best friend.

Holiday parties are special occasions to spend quality time with friends and family. So if you’re one who wants to relax and enjoy once it comes time to party then don’t forget to utilize that great resource, the internet. Right at your fingertips and there to help when it comes to creativity, ideas, templates and all things holiday party. So when the night arrives you and your guests will create memories to be remembered for a lifetime! Season’s Greetings!

 

 

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A Cool Tool for Your Christmas and New Year’s Eve Party Planning

December 12, 2012 By Comments

Bright Settings Set the Table AppAs the holiday season is now upon us, many of you are planning on hosting a Christmas or New Year’s Eve party. And many of those parties will be dinner parties.

Christmas and New Year’s Eve Parties Are a Time for Friends and Colleagues to Gather

This is the time of year where many people turn into part-time party planners. After all, what’s Christmas or New Year’s without having to attend some fun and festivities. Now, with the help of a tableware setup tool, you’ll be able to set your dinner table exactly like professional event planners. No more worrying about which fork to use and where to place the spoon.

A Party Planning Tool from Bright Settings

Bright Settings is a national table and linen rental company (they have also expanded to screen and digital printing). On their website they also have a category devoted to tools. One of those tools is a tableware setup application.

Here’s how Bright Settings’ tableware set up works:

Basically, once you know what you’ll be serving at your party, you check off all that is applicable. Then hit the “set the table” button and presto, a diagram with the appropriate way to set your table is displayed. This is a perfect tool for anyone that wants to ensure that they are setting their table properly for the meal that they will be serving.

So why not take a little bit of stress from your Christmas and New Year’s Eve party planning by utilizing the tableware set up tool. No more second-guessing which utensils are required for your menu.

 

Disclaimer. Bright Settings does have a banner ad that runs on this website. However, I stumbled across the tableware set up page as I was reviewing their website. Without their knowledge, I thought that this was such a great valuable tool that I just had to write a post about it.

 

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Hanukkah Party Planning

December 11, 2012 By Comments

Photo courtesy of Cayusa

December is here and we have officially entered that special time of year. When everyone seems to be in a good mood and ready to party at the drop of a hat. Whether it’s Christmas or Hanukkah, hosting or attending, we are all in the spirit to celebrate.

This past weekend I attended a Hanukkah party and not only did we enjoy ourselves thoroughly we also learned a bit along the way. When we arrived it was clear that this shindig was all about family, friends and celebrating. The party was all about the eight day festival of Hanukkah, the customs and traditions, the food and yes the fun.

Hanukkah Party Planning – What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a special way to gather friends and family to share traditions and celebrate. Customarily friends and family are invited over to rejoice by exchanging gifts, eating, saying the Hanukkah blessing and most importantly lighting the menorah.

The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah is recognized as the eight day winter celebration, the “Festival of Lights”. Hanukkah celebrates; the phenomenon that came about when the one day supply of lamp oil burned for eight days, it rejoices and celebrates the triumph of the Macabees and the rededication of the Jewish temple.

Hanukkah happens on the 25th day of the month of Kislev on the Jewish calendar. Based on the Roman calendar this occurs sometime in November or December. Each and every night for eight nights, a Jewish family lights the menorah. On the first evening one candle is lit and on the second evening the next candle is lit and so on and so on. And each following night, one extra candle is added up to the eighth and final night. This very important tradition is a great part of the celebration of Hanukkah.

Photo courtesy of drurydrama

Hanukkah Party Planning – One, Two, Three…

Having a Hanukkah party is a wonderful way to share in the holiday traditions with those you love. From delicious food to fun activities from beautiful decorations to the ultimate in joy, when autumn hits the love and magic of Hanukkah is just around the corner. And whether this is the first or hundredth Hanukkah party you’ve hosted, there is, of course, some long established, time honored food and activity traditions you’ll want to ensure you have.

Decorations are an important part of the celebration. Be sure to adorn and decorate the space with the traditional colors of Hanukkah; blue, silver and white. Don’t stress, Hanukkah party supplies are plentiful and easy to find. Really Hanukkah party supplies are just like any other typical party decorations; they’re just themed around Hanukkah. In addition to balloons, banners, signs you will find everything you’ll possibly need to decorate; napkins, plates, cups, tablecloths and the like all designed with Dreidels, Menorahs and other holiday adornments and embellishments. There are so many possibilities to choose from. The party I attended this weekend had blue and white lights hung around the interior of the home adding that extra oomph!

Food glorious food! When it comes to Hanukkah and party food the first word that comes to mind is “traditional”. During Hanukkah it’s traditional to eat foods that are fried in oil and made with cheese. So watch your cholesterol, when it comes to the party bill of fare, the delicious potato latkes, jelly filled doughnuts and cheese appetizer, all on the menu and always a treat. And there are lots of classic foods that have over the years become popular to serve including slow roasted beef brisket, chicken liver pate, vegetable kugel, butter cookies, sweet honey desserts and don’t forget about the chocolate gelt (money)!

Games and Activities are a must when it comes to Hanukkah celebrating and ask anyone spinning that dreidel is an absolute. A dreidel is a four sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. After making a bet with chocolate gelt, each player takes a turn at spinning the dreidel and depending on the letter it lands on the spinner follows the directions; taking some or all of the pot. The game is played until one player has won the entire pot and is the winner. And what about, the self-explanatory favorite “Hide the Chocolate Gelt” a fun and entertaining game for kids of all ages. Really who amongst us doesn’t love finding and stocking up on some delicious chocolate coins. And don’t forget about conventional board games too or this is the perfect opportunity to create new game traditions of your own.

Hanukkah Party Planning – Thinking of Others!

The party I just attended had an extra special touch that I loved. The host asked each guest to bring an unwrapped toy to help those less fortunate and not able to celebrate in the same manner we were about to. After the party the host not only donated the gifts to a charity they matched the amount of gifts providing an amazing hall for others. I will forever include this touch in my future holiday party planning.

In the midst of all the craziness of the holidays, it’s very easy to lose sight of the real reason for the get together. In the truest sense it’s all about family, friends and faith. By keeping this in mind and with some pre planning, attention and effort you will host a most wonderful Hanukkah party that will be remembered for days to come.

 

 

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