Monday, December 17, 2012

5 Quick and Easy Tips for Stress Free Holiday Entertaining


Yesterday morning, I woke up to some pretty fabulous news: my article, "5 Quick and Easy Tips For Stress Free Holiday Entertaining", had been published on Los Angeles Black Parent Magazine Online (insert happy dance and excited squeal!!!).  

I decided to post it here on my blog as well because their are some great tips in there that will not only help you save money and time, but also help you get through the planning with ease!


  1. Make a List and Check it Twice: I am the queen of lists! They keep me organized (and I even get a thrill out of checking things off as I complete them!)  Make a “to buy” list and a “to do list” and keep them with you when it’s time to shop for the party.  Writing things down ensures that you will not forget anything and is the #1 way to save time by eliminating multiple shopping trips.

  1. Use What Ya Got:  Chances are you have a box of ornaments and old decorations packed away.  Break them out and figure out how to repurpose what you already have!  You can use last year’s ornaments to fill up an apothecary jar, vase, or serving dish.  Add a decorative ribbon and voila…you have a quick and easy table centerpiece.  The key here is to get creative and use items that you already have to spruce up your home décor.


  1. Who Says Smaller Isn’t Better:  Instead of spending countless hours in the kitchen preparing an elaborate, multi-course meal, why not serve an array of mini foods?!  “Light bites” are a popular trend right now and will save you a load of time.  Consider foods that can be prepared in individual serving sizes so that guests can grab them and keep it moving.  This will help to avoid a pile-up or long line in your kitchen/serving area.

  1. Put Your Signature on It:  Signature drinks are a great way to spice up any party! Create a festive holiday cocktail, give it a fun name inspired by the theme of your party, and prepare a drink station for your guests to fill up.  This is a great time saver, as the drink can be made in batches and stored away until it is time to replenish.  It also cuts down on the cost to fully stock a bar.

  1. Keep the Kids Busy: Designate an area to keep the kiddos entertained in a separate area from the adults.  Consider setting up multiple stations for the children to get creative while having fun.  Cupcake/cookie decorating, Gingerbread House building, or a card-making station are just a few ideas that will keep the kids busy and amused for the evening. Be sure to have a chaperone on hand to supervise and assist.
 PTE Wants to Know: What stresses you most about entertaining during the holidays?  What other tips can be added to the list to make planning a holiday party a breeze?

XOXO,

Nikola 



Nikola Ahaiwe is a Los Angeles wedding /event planner and owner of Platinum Touch Events, a boutique event planning firm servicing southern CA. To  learn more about Platinum Touch Events, please visit our website and become a fan on Facebook to stay connected.

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