Hot Thoughts - Pass it On
The Cocktail Party
Keep it simple, keep it stylish, keep it sophisticated with a knee length skirt or tailored pants and a stylish top with a little bling. Finish the look with hot heels or fancy flats and you’re ready to shake things up.
The Dinner Party
Wear that little black dress paired with flashy heels. Dress it up or down with accessories depending on the occasion. If in doubt, bring a shrug, scarf and an extra pair of earrings or shoes to adjust from out of sight to just right!
Company Christmas Party
Remember, it may be after hours but the culture of your office should still be taken into consideration on any and every company soiree. Revealing or provocative attire is a definite no-no. It should be “dress for success” even when it is only Santa you’re trying to impress.
Ho! Ho! Hold the tinsel!
When a party invitation calls for “festive attire” don’t feel you need to wear something that is green, red or sporting snowflakes. Festive does mean fashionable with an opportunity to dial it up a notch. Take a simple, black dress and add some bling - like metallic heels, belt or clutch. Or go for a silky Boho top with dressy black pants finished with chandelier earrings and bangles. The festive season is young, have fun!
Say goodbye to boring buffets & hello to tempting tables!
Guests will love to nosh on nibblies, dig into the main course and sample a bevy of tempting desserts when they are artfully displayed on several well-appointed food stations. Traditional buffets tend to create line-ups and bottlenecks whereas side tables, bistro tables or even your coffee table become intimate places for conversation ….. and delish dining.
These chic food stations with their tablecloths, sparkling centerpieces, candles or greenery will add a festive touch to your home’s décor adding to the holiday spirit. You can choose to build on a theme or create a different theme for each table…. just be sure the overall look is oh so deliciously chic.
Name that Guest
Place cards are back in style but with a new twist! Pick a theme and then head to the mall and start your quest! Chocolate is always a hit. Purchase a single truffle in a wee truffle box, wrap a ribbon around it and add a name card. Your guests will love you! Or create an instant keepsake. Purchase ball ornaments in silver, gold or the season’s newest colours then, using transfer letters, available at most stationery supply stores, add the guest’s name. Another idea is to purchase small vases and place a single bloom and small sprig of evergreen or rosemary in each vase. When you’re at the florists ask for their small card holders to insert in the vase to hold a name card. Who needs a centerpiece when each setting is one!
Party Games
Worried that your party may flag? Keep a few simple party tricks up your sleeve. There are lots of games on the market that will keep the party rolling but here are a few simple ideas for a quick fix. Between dinner and dessert have the men move two seats over. It will change up the dynamic and refresh dinner conversation. Here’s another great idea. When people arrive have them write something they think others may not know about them on a slip of paper and drop it in a dish. If the party conversation seems to stall, read one of these slips and see if the other guests can guess who it is. It will keep people guessing and talking well beyond the party!
Think outside the gift box!
Why not make the gift box part of the gift! Keep your eyes open for attractive and re-usable tins, crockery, totes, baskets or even toques. Place your gift inside these totally re-usable containers, add a wee bit of tissue (made of recycled paper of course) and you’ve a truly unique and special gift box!
Let your eco-light shine!
Choose LED’s (light-emitting diodes) instead of incandescent bulbs to decorate your tree and home. They cost a little more but they last much longer and use a fraction of the energy….about 10%! As an added bonus they stay cool to the touch.
Timing is everything!
Put all your lights on a timer so they shine only when it’s dark and go out around bed time.