For the Perfect House Party, Avoid these Mistakes

Overdoing decorations or themes. Enhance your home with adequate trimmings without overwhelming it. Strategically place decorative pieces where they give the best visual effect and lend the proper mood to the area. Your party should be the theme; not the adornments. Don't deck your halls to the point where guests get tinsel-tied each time they take a step. Balance and arrange decorations for everyone to enjoy; not just the first who arrive or the last who leave. Include the seated and the standing.

Overlooking food preferences. Consider all your guests when planning your menu. Provide an array of food and drink choices for everyone; Dieters, Vegans, Drinkers and Non-drinkers. Search the internet for Cocktails, Mocktails, and a variety of other GREAT RECIPES . If you're not sure what kind of substitution you need to make for one of your guests, check with them beforehand. They'll be thrilled that you asked, and will be happy to share their favorite recipe with you and others.

Putting your food out and forgetting about it. Try to serve food throughout the duration of your party. Especially if cocktails are offered because your guests will need to "feed" their drinks. Instead of setting everything out at once, have various trays brought out in intervals. This way, food stays fresh and  your guests stay intrigued over the wonderful surprises that keep coming. They'll also stay "upright" since you're constantly giving them something to nibble on as they sip their drinks (if you know what I mean).

Cleaning only the public areas of your home. Include your personal areas when tidying up for your party; even if you plan to entertain in only one room. Don't leave personal items lying around and clear medicine cabinets of anything you don't want "accidentally eyeballed" by your guests. And most of all...

Forgetting to enjoy yourself. Give yourself enough prep time to grab a nap or just relax 30-40 minutes before your guests are due to arrive so you can greet them with a smile that's fresh and sincere. Days before your party, arrange for cleanup assistance so it's not on your mind as you watch the dishes stack up. Remember, this party is just as much for you as it is for your guests. So enjoy the fun!

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What festivities are you planning over the holidays?

Tips for a Stress-free Holiday

Save decorating time and money this Thanksgiving. Use these tips throughout the holiday season (and also get a jump on Christmas):

1. Use white Christmas string lights to drape around the room; the mantle, tables, shelves or even add to plants.

2. Create an illuminating centerpiece with 12 clear votive candle holders. Tie a ribbon around each one and make a bow. Form a circle with the candle holders; bows facing out to give it the appearance of a wreath. Add white votive candles or use other colors that coordinate with your table. A smaller arrangement can be used for cocktail or end tables. Keep out for the holiday season or give them away to guests as they leave.

3. Create taste, function and visual appeal using small, well-shaped pumpkin gourds. Scrape out the inner meat to make pie or soup. Then create soup bowls from the shells. Or fill a large, hollowed-out pumpkin with flowers and use as table decoration.

4. Too busy for your usual workout? Try slipping in some exercise ahead of time and give your kids something to occupy their time as well:

• The day before or early Thanksgiving morning, take the kids for an early morning walk around the neighborhood.
• Turn your walk into a nature-gathering hike and round up colorful leaves, pine cones and small branches from holly berry trees.
• When back inside, lay the leaves out to dry completely. Have the kids create personalized place cards out of the leaves by inscribing guests' names in brightly contrasted marker colors. Place at each person's setting. Decorate tables, shelves and the mantle using the remaining treasures found during your walk.

Use these tips to adorn your house naturally, keep you in shape, and keep the kids occupied while you plan the greatest Thanksgiving Celebration your family has seen.

Put Life Back into the Dying Workplace Party

Do you cringe when you think of the dreaded holiday party at work with its age-old themes and done-to-death menus? If you're tired of the same old stuff, chances are your co-workers are, too. So stop the dread and make things better instead. It doesn't take a lot; just interest, an open mind, and a plan to have fun.

Jump on the planning committee if you aren't already there. Initiate holiday plans early because this time of year brings with it lots of vacations and you don't want anyone to miss out on the fun. Which brings us to the next thing...

Be sure to include everyone...yes, even the "Ebeneezer Scrooges". Include them in the planning process before they have a chance to dampen the holiday spirits of others (probably because their own spirits are in the dumps). Find out what they like to do and ask them to do it. If they enjoy baking, ask them to share their special dish; if they sing, get them to lead the group in a festive song of the season. They’ll be less likely to spread their holiday 'jeer' and will probably feel better for it…everyone else will.

Schedule games, gift-giving or other inclusive activities for later in the party, preferably toward the end. This reduces the “break-and-run after breaking bread” effect. 

And don't play the same games year after year. Rotate them for variety. Personalize regular games with workplace facts or a festive twist. Try something like musical chairs with the staff singing holiday music in place of a CD. Appoint a 'conductor' to signal the stopping points. Or play Win, Lose or Draw the best _____. You can fill in the blank with a work-related theme. 

Celebrations aren't just for celebrating families. They're also times for hope and gratitude for the blessings we have; and the workplace is a blessing. Treat it as such.  

Don't just think holiday; think fun. Be a joyful example; inspire joy throughout your team. You may just find yourself part of a miracle by making next year's party-planner out of this year's Scrooge. It's worth a try.

~~Tell Tammy

What're your holiday party plans this year? Please share with us by posting a comment below.