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Party Planning - Throwing the Perfect Holiday Bash
Throwing the Perfect
Holiday Bash
(ARA) - As the holiday season
approaches, it's time to hang the lights, dust off the
china, pull out your favorite recipes and get set to throw
the perfect bash.
Although nearly half of Americans report experiencing stress
during the holidays, according to a recent Gallup survey,
holiday entertaining should be an enjoyable form of
self-expression.
"Whether you're
having the in-laws over for brunch or hosting an elaborate
cocktail party with co-workers, entertaining can be simple
and fun if you plan ahead and take inventory of your
belongings," said Robert Zollweg, creative director for
Libbey Inc., a leading provider of tableware products.
"Everyday household items, such as martini and wine glasses
as well as forgotten dishes, can be transformed into elegant
conversation pieces, making it quick and easy to make a
lasting impression on your guests."
For your next holiday gathering, try one of these simple
tips from Libbey:
* Cut down on the holiday chores by throwing a
themed
holiday pre-party with friends, such as a bake-off, tree
decorating or gift wrapping party.
* To engage your guests, set up a do-it-yourself bar.
Instead of the old standby, make it a hot cocoa or eggnog
bar. Offer different liquors, toppings and recipe starters.
* Take photos of guests throughout the night. Use them for a
holiday scrapbook or send them to your guests in their
holiday card.
* Set up a station where guests can make their own wine
charm. Have on hand a variety of charms, ornaments, stones
and beads. It also makes a great keepsake.
* Play old holiday movies on a projector or flat screen with
the sound muted. This makes for a simple and fun backdrop.
* For an easy centerpiece, fill a clear bowl with greens,
kumquats, oranges, crab apples or multicolored glass
ornaments. Finish with holiday greenery or seasonal white
flowers.
* Fill drinking glasses - stemless wine glasses work great -
with decorative stones, then place a tea light inside. Or,
turn traditional wine glasses upside down and use them as
candleholders. Use different heights and group them together
for an elegant look.
* Use clear martini glasses or margarita glasses to serve
eggnog, desserts, sorbets, condiments or other side dishes.
* Fill beer pilsners with nuts, mints and other candy and
use ribbon to tie a bow at the stem. Place glasses
throughout the house so guests can munch while mingling.
* Broke a saucer? Missing a plate? Create a festive look by
mixing and matching patterns.
* Create custom glassware by painting a simple pattern onto
a plain wine glass, using egg whites and a small paintbrush
- immediately sprinkle fine sugar over the egg-white
pattern.
* An inexpensive way to dress up your party is to pick up
some specialty barware like unusual martini glasses or
stemless wine glasses.
* Invite early, at least four to six weeks in advance, since
calendars tend to book up fast during the holidays.
For more information about tableware products, visit
www.libbey.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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