Hosting a holiday party ranked 7th in 2007’s Top 10 Most Stressful Holiday Activities, up from 10th place in 2006 in the annual Holiday Stress Survey. (FranklinCovey). Most plan to attend approximately three parties during the holiday season. Almost three-fourths of those surveyed prefer to host a party at their own home. (Sears)
During the busy and stressful holiday season, events and parties blur over each other as the season passes. But one of the easiest methods for hosting a memorable party is also one of this year’s hottest trends: personalizing the party to your guests. Tailoring menus, beverage selections and decor to the delight of guests is sure to impress no matter the size of the gathering. Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, the Entertaining Expert and author of the new book Tablescapes (Gibbs-Smith), will give tips that make for an unexpected and unforgettable experience.
Personalization holds the key to keeping your party fun and fresh for your guests. A personalized menu and unique beverages let people choose exactly what they want. Inexpensive and personalized ornaments are perfect as a place card and make excellent party favors. If friends are throwing dinner parties, throw a brunch or dessert party with a variety of foods and coffees, allowing people to pick their favorites. With Kimberly’s advice, the aspiring host or hostess will learn how to throw a fun and easy holiday party everyone will remember.
In this segment Kimberly will discuss: Creative decor ideas like inviting your guests to sign inexpensive ornaments instead of a guest book, innovative personalized place settings and party favors like framed photos of guests enjoying the party make for a memorable event. Easy food and beverage options like a coffee bar that serves up everything from a rich espresso to a frothy cappuccino will suit individual tastes.
With a talent for making the ordinary, extraordinary Kimberly Schlegel Whitman has taken her original and clever take on parties and created an entrepreneurial empire. Kimberly has published a number of books that are meant to inspire passionate party planning. Her business has been featured in Vanity Fair, the Wall Street Journal and Modern Luxury. She has also served as an Arbiter of Taste and Style and Entertaining Expert on The Early Show and the Tyra Banks Show. Kimberly received an Honors degree in Art History from Southern Methodist University.
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The funding sponsor of this segment is NESCAFE.
