12/07/2022
Tis the season to host and gather!🎄
Hi guys, it's the holidays and there's SO much to share so we're gonna do a couple of posts today! Remember that party I mentioned throwing a few days ago (see previous post and stories). I thought I'd shared a few tips on how to throw a fabulous and PRETTY holiday party...AND how it can also be done on a budget if needed! Everything you need will also be linked in my stories. Let's geaux!
Ok, there are a few key components that make a fabulous party! They are location, invites, entertainment, food, drinks and decor! This may sound daunting and expensive to someone who loves to entertain, but may feel like they don't have the coins. Read below for ways to save, but still "Make It Pretty"! 🥰
* Invites - this is an obvious one, but skip paper and use electronic invite. So many websites have beautiful invites with a luxury look! Oftentimes they're free or minimal costs. Use the free version! Sort invites by price and create inviting wording and hit send!
* Location - save costs and entertain at home! Not only are you saving cost on a venue, but the event is more intimate and inviting. You can still make it glam by asking your guests to wear holiday chic or even all black attire!
* Decor - let's be honest. We want our holiday party to feel festive, but decorations can get really pricey. Here's a tip - Focus on holiday greenery/garland and soft white lights! Green garland immediately puts a festive touch on your home. You can add it to your front door, fireplace, kitchen countertops, and even your powder bath where guests will frequent. If you can't find prelit garland, add soft white lights that twinkle, and you've instantly made your space holiday ready.
* Lose the ribbon if budget doesn't allow. Ribbon can get really expensive. Try using old holiday cards sent from family and friends, and string the cards along your garland. This looks especially nice when hung on a stairwell. Party guests will also enjoy looking at the cards!
* Add a custom touch - custom/monogram touches always make a party special and exude the thoughtfulness of a host. Save by grabbing dinner napkins with your initial. They're still luxurious, affordable and can also be quickly delivered!
* Minimize Christmas tree decor. If you have a large tree, focus on lights and skip the expensive decorations. Again soft white lights. If you feel your tree needs ornaments, stick with one color and size, use it throughout the entire tree.
* If you don't have a tree but want to add something festive, choose three flocked slender trees, but different heights! 9 ft, 7ft and 5 ft. Make sure they're prelit. Cluster the three trees together in a corner, add white fabric to the bottom, and you've got a high end glam look, I promise! Remembered these are SLENDER trees.🥰
* Food - Obviously we need food for a glam holiday party. But let's cut cost by skipping the professional catering.
* First thing is invest in a chafing dish set. You can use the round silver style. They're the perfect size for a party at home. This will also give your event a professional visual.
* Next, save dramatically by ordering quality appetizers from a nice restaurant and have them served as Hors d’oeuvres during your event.
* Hire an event attendant to help serve food or have them walk through event with the hand passed Hors d’oeuvres. This can be timed to ensure you don't run out of food too fast. Ask your attendant to wear a white button up with black slacks for pairing to the event style.
* Find pretty small plates and strategically place light bites and snacks around the home. Dark chocolate almond clusters, seasoned marcona almonds, bite sized desserts. This is a cute little surprise as guests roam the party and it gives the illusion of the event being stocked with food.
* Bartender - every glam holiday party needs a bartender. You're probably thinking now how can I afford a bartender too?! - bartenders oftentimes freelance. Find your fave bartender at your local restaurant or bar and check their availability. Have them make the drinks for your party. For three hours, you can pay them $25/hour and They can also make great tips at your event, which is a great incentive.
* Alcohol - Rather than trying to please everyone in their drink preferences, opt for one red, one white and one cocktail. Choose whatever price point you want these items to be at and stick to it. Unless you already have many different types of hard alcohol on hand it will most definitely be easier to choose one specific drink to serve at your event. This could also go with the holiday theme and be a candy cane martini or a cranberry moscow mule.
* Entertainment - YES, you can have live entertainment on a budget and doesn't have to break the bank! Save costs by skipping the five piece band and focusing on a single entertainer. Scope out restaurants as they always have piano players and musicians! Pick your fave instrument and ask the player if they do private events! For example- my fave instrument is the piano so I asked the keyboard player if he could play at a private party. Instead of paying for an entire band I got an amazing one man show for 5x cheaper!
Hope this list helps you. Let me know below, and don't forget to send my invite! Happy holidays!🥰
