The Holidays Are Here

    The holidays are not just on the way but here. There are meals to plan, presents to wrap, trees to decorate, cards to get out, and oh the holiday cheer you must do it all with. Right. So let’s get real, it’s a tough situation but one to be enjoyed by keeping it simple. One dream we all have is to get it all one and to plan a fabulous holiday party for family and friends. One where they simply cannot imagine how you have pulled it all off and still look to put together.

    People who come to my house are surprised that I can pull it off with five pets, three kids, and a crazy household. Here’s the deal, I send out an invitation through Evite and I start arranging the set up the week before, do a two hour clean up the day before, order take out that night and spend the day of setting up last minute food and the drinks. I keep decorating easy by walking into a party rental place, ordering everything from the tables, chairs, linens, dishes, centerpieces, bar needs to the paper napkin. I pick them up the day before and set it out after that final clean up. This takes all of the stress of hunting around the house for things you can pull together and the cost in minimal. The set up takes about two hours. Sometime between the decoration decisions and the party I sit down and make a playlist of about two hours for the background music. I know that some of you look at that two hour clean down bit and panic because sometimes our homes need more than a two hour clean up. Here’s the deal, call in a service to do it for you. If you live here in Fresno, I highly recommend Stephie’s Cleaning Service. Trust me, if you keep it simple and cut some crazy corners you can enjoy a holiday party. I promise.

    A moment about the menu, please keep it simple. If possible do an evening after dinner party so you are serving single serve items. Another idea is to simply have a wonderful dessert selection. I keep appetizers simple with a selection of good cheese, bread, fruit and meat. I go to my favorite little places and buy finger foods. I generally do not spend a lot of time in the kitchen for these events. I am a very good baker so I will do two items of my own if serving desserts and then buy the rest from my favorite places. Do not feel the need to prepare everything yourself. We don’t want you being bitter Betty in the kitchen while your sweet husband gets to work the room.

    Everyone wants to talk drinks and here’s my formula for success. No more than five selections and the same goes for the bar. If you are going to serve alcohol then have one signature cocktail, two white wines, one red wine and a good bourbon for a winter party. This combination has always worked for me and the guys are happy. A very important detail to remember is to have two great drinks available for people who do not want to drink anything with alcohol. I do a cranberry cream and an orange mint seltzer. Coffee and hot chocolate service always and serve them from large electric urns so they are self-serve. You can rent these along with the party items.

    The day of the event, keep things simple with a schedule. In the morning plate the food, cover and refrigerate what you have to. Next, set up the bar glasses and serving needs for the food. Set out candles everywhere you can safely and be sure the lighter is handy. Walk around the room to inspect and chill the booze. Get dressed, put on some music, light candles, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy.

    If none of this appeals to you, then call me. We have professionals who can handle an intimate evening whether it is for twenty people of a few hundred.

Holiday Party Full Coordination Special

Guest Count up to 30 People $400.00
Guest Count up to 150 People $1000.00