For me, this includes lots of friends from college (Go BLUE!) coming in town and everyone scrambling to see as many people as possible. Needless to say, we usually end up at a nightclub.
Now that I've joined the "Quarter Century Club", I think something different is in order...
So this post is for all of my friends and other "twenty-somethings" who are planning their first Holiday Gatherings (aka get-togethers)...
1. When: Pick a date two-weeks in advance, this gives you time to plan and get everyone on the bandwagon.
2. Who's In?: We live in a hi-tech/social networking society. Twitter, Facebook, Text, LinkedIn are great tools, but a phone call is still the most personal.
3. The Pre-Clean: Clean the home prior to having people over. Put away "unmentionables" and all the fragile items you are afraid that your guests could possibly break. Pre-Cleaning makes it much easier to clean up after the party. Make sure all the dishes are clean and in their proper place. Then you have an empty dishwasher/sink to fill with party dishes.
4. Food: If you are doing potluck --(1) think long and hard about WHO you will ask and WHAT they should bring. If you know Sharon is always late, don't have her bring plates... (2) Remind friends a few days before of which dishes they are responsible for. If you are supplying all of the food, make sure you know everyone's dietary restrictions. Have SOMETHING there for the vegetarians.
5. Entertainment: There are three things that always work, (1) deck of cards, (2) Taboo, and (3) Wii...they never fail. Try to keep the conversation away from politics and religion if you know you invited friends with conflicting views.
6. To Drink or not to Drink?: If you want to serve alcoholic beverages, serve them early and put them away at least 45-60 minutes before you are ready for people to go home. Also monitor your friends, you know who's getting drunk and who's not. This will minimize the number of people who need to spend the night while maximizing safe, sober drives home.
7. Entertain while you work!: If you politely clean up (gather glasses/cups, condense food containers/trays) while entertaining, this will make your clean up A LOT easier after all the guests leave!
8. Plan B: If all else fails and you are absolutely exhausted, (1) pat your self on the back for throwing a great party, (2) have a glass of wine (or sparkling cider), (3) put up the food (if there is any) and leave the rest for the morning. Hey, we're all human right?
Again, have a SAFE, HAPPY, and BLESSED Holiday Season!
p.s. Don't forget to send your organizing questions to lauren@bespokenspaces.com! Your question may be the next post...
© BeSpoken Spaces 2009
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