Celebrating the Season EXCLUSIVE
“ Now it s show time!
have to use a calligraphed tented seating card – be resourceful and inventive and write guests’ names with a metallic magic marker on a holiday ornament, a leaf, a lemon or fruit that complements your color scheme.
’
Dim the lights and light lots of candles. Votives, pillars, and columns – there is no such thing as too many candles.They create instant ambiance and glamour. While candlelight is important, use warm low wattage light bulbs versus cool light bulbs that make you look anemic!
”
If you are doing the cooking and prep yourself, prepare as much as you can in advance. Set the table and do your flowers the day before. Design a menu that will keep you glued to the chair vs. chained to the kitchen stove making brief appearances between courses. Start with a soup that can be poured tableside from a carafe or coffee pourers. Consider serving the main course family style. One pot wonders work really well; this way you have time to enjoy your guests’ company and play host making sure everyone is having a great time. Greet your guests with a fabulous specialty cocktail that can be batched and prepared in advance and give it a fun name to mark the occasion. Set it out on a tray with the cocktail in pitchers, lots of glasses with plenty of ice and garnishes. Since not everyone will love your cocktail, have the usual vodka and scotch with mixes and red and white wine readily available. Now that we have the food and beverage taken care of, its time to focus on the look and feel. There is so much more than decorating a table. First, come up with the big picture. Decide on the color scheme and theme and have it start from the wreath on the front door to the garland over the mantelpiece and - of course — your Christmas tree if you plan on having one. Now it’s show time! Dim the lights and light lots of candles. Votives, pillars, and columns – there is no such thing as too many candles. They create instant ambiance and glamour. While candlelight is important, use warm low wattage light bulbs versus cool light bulbs that make you look anemic! Music is extremely important. Create a playlist for your party; take into account what guests will be doing as the music is playing. If you are still welcoming guests, the tempo of the music should be different than if guests are being seated to dinner. If your whole list is holiday music you will want to shoot yourself after
96
FLUENTIAL NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017