Holiday Party Planning Guide
by Danielle Bailey

Send a talking Snowman Card.

Bells will be ringing, children singing, and your mother-in-law will be looking down her nose at you because Martha Stewart wasn't your personal decorator. Or at least, that's what happened last year! This year, make her green with envy, furry with fury, stop short only of giving her a honored seat at the children's table – in short, the Grinch who stole Christmas will be extolling your virtues as a holiday party hostess. It's all because you followed a few simple guidelines! Well, ok, so maybe she won't go that far, but at least you'll know you've outdone yourself.

There are a few things to remember when entertaining, but especially during the holiday season when things get so busy it's all you can do to remember your home phone number. First, you need to get a plan. You may wish to download or purchase a party planning guide to have one place to store everything including guest addresses, clipped recipes and décor ideas or more.

Visit Soft Seek for some free downloadable versions. You can also get great party planning guides at bookstores. For an abbreviated version, visit my website at Camden Party Supply and request one via my contact information.

Planners are essential for keeping your mind focused – there are just too many details to have jumbled in your tired brain! Planners will help you coordinate food quantities, addresses for invitations and thank you notes, design schemes, vendor contact information and more. Online versions will even make addressing easier with mail merge functions. .

Decide on a theme to be used throughout your event. Coordinating invitations, napkins, buffet tableware, balloons, and other décor really add elegance to your party. Even if you only plan for drop-in guests, you should have themed touches throughout high traffic areas of your home.

Whether the theme is childhood favorite "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" or a more Victorian "Angelic Inspirations" for Christmas or you're in the mood for fall-themed items for your Thanksgiving table, you'll find everything you need at Camden Party Supply.

©2000 Danielle Bailey

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About the author: Danielle Bailey is a representative of 1800PARTYSHOP at Camden Party Supply and is a home based party and events planner. She has published several articles on event planning over the internet and is the publishing editor of Worknathome@egroups.com as well as the A-Team Express, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of SC newsletter. She is happily married to Don Bailey and they have two sons, Grayson, age 4, and Nicholas, age 1.