Are Bad Parties the Status Quo?

I don't know about you but when an invitation to a party lands in my box I get excited.  Or at least, I used to... Lately I've had to lower my expectations as to what a good party should be.  Let me be clear - my friends all throw great and amazing parties - ones that people die to get invited to.  But corporate networking parties have become something totally different.

Those parties used to be filled with food, drink and good company.  Now they are filled with anyone who can fill the space, there is little food and long lines at the bar.  All of which are big Rabidon'ts in my book.

Take, for example, a very dis-TASTE-ful event I attended the other night.  It was the series finale to a cooking competition show and the host was none other than a television network who's boss just happens to be a popular mouse.  Receiving the invite two days before the event should have been the first clue that this party was going to be a bust.

That's one of my Rabidon'ts - Don't invite guests at the last minute.  I mean, you had to have known you were going to throw a party.  But I digress....

Upon arriving to the venue (a very popular, trendy mid-town hotel) we were left to fend for ourselves to find where the party was located.  There was no signage and not a person in sight to direct us where to go.  Luckily we figured it out quickly and filed into line like cows to the slaughter.  And, when we did encounter the first person we saw who looked like they knew what they were doing, there wasn't a smile in sight.  These twenty something girls looked like they would rather be watching the Bachelor finale than doing their job.

Rabidon't - Don't be rude.  Smile - while you may not like your job - you're the first impression to the party.  If you are miserable, what kind of message are you sending to the guests who are waiting in line.

That was another thing - the line... I can't stand attending an event where you have to wait in line and be grilled like you want to get into Marquee to party with Lindsay Lohan (not that I ever would mind you)  They had one girl (yes, she was miserable) checking off names for about 200+ attendees.  When I went to give her my name she snapped "first only".

Rabido - When throwing a party where a guest list is needed be sure to have at least two to four friendly people quickly checking off names.  Keeping guests waiting and being a bitch will only sour their welcome.

By this point my partner Michael and I desperately needed a drink and I was happy to see a large bar that was well manned.  "Finally something positive" I thought to my self only until I realized I had to pay $40 to get cocktails at a party where the invite stated to come and enjoy a party filled with drink, food and an opportunity to mix and mingle with the cast.  Never in all my years have I been invited to an industry event where I had to pay for my own drinks.  And, as if that wasn't enough, I noticed we had to pay for our own food.  There were no passed appetizers, no passed signature beverages...You had to pay for everything.  And that my friends isn't even the best part!  There was a VIP area for cast members (remember there was the opportunity to mix and mingle with them) where they stayed huddled being served food and drink while the rest of us had to fend for ourselves.

So, to sum it up. we were invited to a party that was hosted by a major television network, run by inexperienced, unhappy staff, where the invite over promised and under delivered.

And, unfortunately, this event doesn't stand alone.  Over the course of the past several years I've attended many wedding or event planning related parties where the food is scarce and the bar almost doesn't exist.  I fully get these events cost money... But when did it become okay to over promise and under deliver?  If that was the way I ran my business I would be out of business... If you can't fully deliver to an industry where this is what we do for a living then just don't throw a party.  It's unfortunate that we as event planners and event attendees have allowed this to become the status quo.

So the question is this: will industry parties keep this status quo or will they change?

I know one thing is for sure, I'll never watch that dis-TASTE-ful show again!

Until next time...

Cheers!

Taking the stress out of planning for the Holidays

I don't know about you, but I feel like am totally behind the eight ball with Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Perhaps it's the fact my family is doing Thanks-mas this year…You know Thanksgiving and Christmas all in the same day.  The main reason is because we can't all be together this year for both holidays so we are combining the two.  In August it seemed like a good idea, but today my family is having a bit of a panic attack trying to get everything done.

So how do you plan for the holiday season without losing your mind (or in my case hair)?  Over the years I've collected a few do's and don'ts when it comes to getting ready for the holiday season and I thought I would share them with you.  I like to call these my Rabido's and Rabidon'ts…It might be a corny play on my name, but it works!

Rabido - Take a deep breath, get a pen and paper or, if you're tech savvy, get out your tablet.  No matter what, start a list.  I always do when I'm planning a party or prepping for a holiday.  It helps me think clearly and stay organized.

Rabido - When creating your list write out what you want your menu to be.  This will help you stay focused so you don't end up with too many carbs and not enough proteins.  Could you imagine forgetting about the turkey? Good Lord that would be a smack down if I ever saw one! 

Rabido - Use your list to "shop at home".  I always do this…I first shop my cabinets to see what food items I have and what I need to get.  Living in a New York apartment doesn't afford me a lot of space so I don't have room to over purchase ingredients. I then write down what I need (or don't need).  This saves on time in the grocery store and most of all it saves on money!  I then shop for platters, bowls, glassware, napkins etc.

Rabidon't - Do not purchase new glassware, plates, silverware or other table top items!  Mix and match what you have.  It will make your table eclectic, save you time and again save you money!

Rabido - Use what you have at home.  Anytime I am looking to decorate my tabletop I look around and use what I have at home.  I work to use items such as vases, candles, etc that can be reused from holiday to holiday.  For example, do you have burgundy candles from last Christmas?  Use those for Thanksgiving and then keep them out for Christmas this year.  Or do you have glass vases you can fill with cranberries and acorns for Thanksgiving and then fill them with ornaments and peppermints for Christmas?  Reusing what you have saves you time and money.

Rabidon't - If you're in a time crunch and you are already on the cusp of panic mode, when creating your list and menu don't try new décor ideas or recipes.  The last thing you want is a décor idea that takes too long (and flops) or a recipe that doesn't come out right.  If you're inclined to try something new do it weeks before your party.  This way you can work out the kinks…

Rabido - Get organized!  Lay out all your platters, bowls, and dishes and begin labeling them with sticky notes.  Turkey for the platter, mashed potatoes for this bowl and green bean casserole for that baking dish.  This way you can see what you have and what you might need to borrow or purchase.  Trust me…it sounds crazy, but you will be relieved at the end.

Rabido - Don't be afraid to delegate.  So often we want to come out like the hero of our own dinner party only to find we are just barely staying above water. Asking your guests to help out in some way shape or form will greatly reduce stress, time and money. But remember, when you delegate be specific and don't be afraid to ask someone to bring the wine, pie, mashed potatoes or whatever.  Chances are your guests are going to want to bring something so why not assign what they should bring. This keeps things organized and it prevents too many bowls of mashed potatoes!

Rabidon't - By all means if something goes wrong in the kitchen or if someone spills wine on the couch take a deep breath and let it go.  Often I find myself ready to explode, but when I take a deep breath, laugh and stay relaxed I find my guests do too and they enjoy the party that much more.

Rabido - Clean up as you go.  Sounds simple, but I always clean as I go when I cook.  This way when it comes time to sit for dinner I know I don't have a mess to clean up after. Again, this saves time…and we all know time with guests is the most important thing.

Rabidon't - don't go crazy with cleaning your home before guests arrive. Give it a quick dust, vacuum and wipe down the powder room.  You'll end up doing a deep clean after guests leave anyway so why go nuts before they arrive?

And my final Rabido - be a guest at your own party.  Relax, smile and enjoy!

I hope you find these holiday prep tips helpful and until next time - Happy Holidays!

Cheers!

Easy Party Clean up tips

When I started entertaining guests in my home, I always hesitated because I dreaded the aftermath when I had to clean up.  Over time I have developed my own routine to help make the cleaning easier and therefore, the entertaining more enjoyable.

Recently I shared some of my tips for cleaning up after a party with Redbook.com.  Check out the link below and  let me know some of your secrets for easy cleaning after a party!

13 Party Clean up tips from the Pros

Happy Entertaining!

Cheers

To give or not to give? That is the question…

Very often my clients ask the inevitable question; should I give a favor? My response is stay away from “things” but give something you can eat! Food is always a hit.

Recently for a 40th birthday party guests left with a piece of cake and a black and white cookie inside a simple brown box. You can accessorize with different colored ribbons and a personalized note card.  

Don’t give something just because you feel obliged. But if you decide to, be sincere and have a purpose.

I will let you in on a little secret; most guests don’t expect anything more than throwing the party! 

Until next time......Cheers!

Planning an Oscar Party?

I love the Oscars and think it is great to get together with friends to watch the Awards.  If you are like me you are always looking for new ideas to make the party unique.

If you need some new ideas for your Oscar party tune in to Fox Live today at 12:45PM to get my ideas about  food and cocktails for this year's awards.  You can also find my ideas at Celebrations.com.

Cheers!

Tips for Avoiding Pre-Party Stress

Does entertaining and planning a party stress you out? Worry no more! Check out my 8 tips on 

Celebrations.com! They'll make you entertain like a pro!

Cheers!
Shawn