CUISINE
CLEVER TIPS FOR PLANNING A HOLIDAY SOIREE
The Clever Connoisseur
By GINA CHEATHAM
Celebrity chef Donatella Arpaia’s gourmet
and holiday collections warm up any room.
The holidays are a perfect time to catch up with family
and friends. But it takes time to plan a party. And the
cost! Especially with those long Christmas lists. Here are
some tips to throw the perfect soiree without breaking
your holiday budget.
Choose a Theme
Whether it be a song you heard, a movie you have seen,
or simply a vision imagined, capture the thought and
bring it to life. Let your mind run free and think outside
of the box.
Location, Location, Location
Home is where the heart is, so let’s start there. De-clutter,
re-arrange, and make room for your guests. And if you
live in a multi-dwelling environment, reserve the party
room or a unique open space in the building for little
to no cost. Or with a little collaboration, there’s always
the chance to partner with a business that welcomes
the patronage and opportunity to showcase their space
and wares to potential clients. There’s no need to spend
money renting a space if you don’t have to.
Invites and Invitations
You will never go wrong when you choose quality
over quantity. Therefore, select your guests with the
same thought in mind. Top pick goes to those who are
guaranteed to mix, mingle and have a good time. And to
further decrease your costs, send invitations that fit with
your theme from evite.com. Think small, intimate, and
festive – besides, everyone can’t dance at every party.
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Libations and Nosh
This is not a sit-down dinner, but rather an eclectic
selection of delicious small bites served with fun, easy
snacks such as roasted nuts, olives, dried fruits and
berries. Choose three to five hot and cold items, and
stray away from more costly selections (i.e., seafood
and fish). Plan on serving approximately six bites per
person per hour. And if cooking is not your forté, consult
a local culinary graduate who is eager to practice his
or her skills and impress potential clients. Choose one
inexpensive white wine and one red wine - that pair
well with the food, and offer a festive signature cocktail
made with a house liquor of choice. Do not worry about
providing a full bar, this is a posh gathering, not a club –
sip, sample and enjoy.
GAZELLE STL
Tunes and Vibes
No better time than now to get plugged in. Save yourself some money and be
your own DJ. Download all your favorite tunes onto your MP3 player, create
a party playlist, plug it in, play, and move the crowd. Think about it, who
knows your guests’ taste in music better than you? Just make sure you have
enough music to play for the duration of the party and that your speakers are
strategically positioned throughout the venue so everyone can hear and enjoy
the music.
Atmosphere and Ambiance
Add that extra touch to the aesthetics of the room and dazzle your guests
while keeping with the theme. Start by turning down the lights and lighting a
few candles. Not only do they provide the perfect ambient lighting and come in
just about any color, shape, form and size, they are inexpensive as well. Use a
simple glass bowl as a centerpiece, and adorn it with a wreath, a bit of ribbon,
bows, feathers or a touch of bling. Place a couple of vases of uniquely arranged
fresh seasonal flowers, fruit or ornaments about the room. Plus, you can eat the
fruit when you are done. Your friends are going to think you have gone into the
interior design business for yourself.
Swirl and Twirl
Now that all the hard work is done, circulate and celebrate with your friends. It
is easy to get caught up in all of the preparations involved in throwing a party,
so once you have made all of the introductions, keep the conversations moving,
exhale and have fun.
Gina Cheatham is the host and co-producer of “The Daily Mix” entertainment
news show on STL TV, as well as a lifestyle specialist and owner of The Clever
Connoisseur, an affordable luxuries products and services brand. Like her on
Facebook, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, watch her on YouTube, or check out
her website at www.ginacheatham.com.