Tips to host holiday parties with ease

By Shelley Widhalm

The Surveyor

Hosting a holiday party can be stressful from the social, financial, and time-management pressures, but there are a few great ways to get festive without feeling overwhelmed and out of control.

Start by planning ahead to square away as many details as possible and to avoid being overworked the day of the party, scurrying about doing everything last minute. Prepping weeks in advance helps prevent last-minute errand runs or trips to the store to restock low food and beverage items.

The key to creating an event is to plan, organize and keep to a theme, important for the invitations that need to be sent out and for table settings and décor. The theme can be a color scheme like burgundy and forest green, seasonal fruit like cranberries or pumpkins, a holiday song, or things associated with cold, like snowmen and snow akes. Selecting a theme helps create cohesion in a room or space and ties the party together, even if it’s just two or three key decorations — if they are set up hodge-podge, the party might otherwise feel disjointed.

Once the theme is set, create invitations accordingly, making sure to send them out early. A good time is around Halloween when seasonal calendars start filling, particularly during the few Saturday nights in December. Giving guests advance notice ensures those who want to attend won’t make other plans. Good etiquette dictates they need at least three weeks’ notice for an event, according to The Emily Post Insti-

Tips to host holiday parti with ease

tute. Now that the invites are out, make a list to keep track of everything that needs to be purchased. Determine which steps need to be taken and the time needed to carry out each step to create a loose schedule, back timing from the date of the event. If the party is large, delegate tasks by asking family and close friends to help and be sure to include them on the invite list. Assign them roles, such as helping with the arrangements or aiding in the kitchen. Next, select a menu, ideally aligned with the chosen theme. Start with what’s already in the house (this applies to party supplies and decorations, too), checking the refrigerator, pantry and cabinets. Then make or purchase the rest, choosing items based on the occasion — a dinner party re uires a plated meal, while late-night festivities might call for appetizers, finger foods and desserts. Shop for ingredients two weeks out, saving the fresh items, like produce or cheese, for a final trip one to two days before the event. Avoid making everything from scratch, which can be time-consuming, instead choosing a couple of signature dishes to show off to guests. Be sure to supply enough food and beverages to not run out, leaving guests hungry and thirsty. Picking the items up on the event day might be inconvenient, causing someone to have to leave the party, and some stores might not be open if the hour is late. Set up the food and beverages at stations where it’s best for guests to socialize. Instead of putting the items in the kitchen, place them in different locations, allowing for guests to move around and mingle. Add some music, but there’s no need to hire a deejay. Buy some wireless speakers and use an app like Spotify or Pandora to create a playlist fitting to the party theme or incorporating holiday-themed songs, giving more time for other tasks, while also enhancing the festive mood. Make sure there are plenty of trash cans, preferably one per room, to simplify and speed up the cleanup. Lastly, once guests arrive, give them a warm welcome, greeting them as close to their arrival time as possible. Show them the nearest bathrooms and provide a place for a coat check, designating an area for coats, bags and purses such as a bed or the front closet. With proper planning and organization, a festive holiday party can be created that will add cheer to any calendar. Once the party is over, send out thank you cards, reminding guests of what they enjoyed about the party and letting them know you were glad they were there.

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN BERTHOUD • 2021 Berthoud Weekly Surveyor 6 Three very different and cozy getaways for e holidays

Whether you’re looking forward to soaking at a hot springs destination, traveling with the family to a ski resort, or just curling up with a good book this holiday season, these three towns are a good choice for the holidays.

Grand Lake, Colorado

This Colorado town may be known as a summer playground, but it is a charming winter destination. From the snowmobiles parked in front of Sagebrush BBQ & Grill to the hearty souls sitting out on the frozen lake ice waiting for a fish to bite, this town is a winter wonderland.

Western Riviera Lakeside Lodging offers several options for a winter stay all on the shores of Grand Lake which freezes completely over each winter. There are cabins, a motel, as well as two multi-bedroom apartments perfect for groups or families.

All of these properties are in town and guests enjoy a short walk to coffee shops, restaurants and shopping. The brand new Wild About Birds store has everything from bird projects to keep the kids busy during a family vacation to bird seed, bird figurines, bird earrings and much more, all birdy-related, of course.

If you have dreamt of doing it in the winter, Grand Lake makes it possible. From ice fishing outfitters who will drill the hole in the ice and bait your hook, to outfitters who will rent you a snowmobile, it’s here. The Winding River Resort even offers sleigh rides, just like those on Hallmark cards.

If you’d like to burn a few calories, strap on snowshoes and take a number of hikes around the area. VisitGrandCounty.com has a list of the snowshoe and cross-country ski trails that are open in 2022.

To get a real sense of what Grand Lake and the surrounding area went through, and continues to go through, due to the Troublesome Wildfire, visit Troublesome Stories at 315 Pitkin Street in downtown Grand Lake.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

What’s better than snow collecting on your head while soaking in a hot springs pool? Not much. This, and more, can be yours with a stay in Glenwood Springs.

There are many hotels in Glenwood Springs, but two of the most unique are Hotel Denver and Hotel Colorado. With a style that blends modern and historic into a comfortable aesthetic, Hotel Denver has been welcoming guests since 1915.

Across the river from the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, it is within walking distance of everywhere you want to be in this quintessential Colorado town. Grab a calamari taco at Slope & Hatch or sit down for excellent Indian food at Marsala & Curry. Find the perfect winter read at the Book Grove or enjoy a warm drink at Bluebird Cafe.

Next to the famous hot springs pool, is one of the state’s most stately buildings, Hotel Colorado. Dressed to the nines, complete with turrets and blonde and red brick, presidents and other notable people have stayed within these walls. At 128-years-old, the hotel is looking better than ever, and looks even nicer when decorated in lights and shrouded in freshly fallen snow.

The Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is a must during any trip to town, whether by train, plane or automobile. Open year-round, this is the largest hot springs pool in the world. Its size means there is plenty of room for everyone. There is even a spa at the hot springs for those guests wanting a soak and a massage.

Twenty-five minutes away is one of Colorado’s most

Surveyor Columnist

Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer

family-friendly ski resorts, Sunlight Mountain. Check for Ski, Swim and Stay specials every winter.

Vail, Colorado

If a few powdery turns are on the agenda, head to Vail. Not only is it the largest ski resort in Colorado, it is iconic throughout the world as a ski haven.

Antlers at Vail may not be directly in the middle of the action of Vail Village, but its riverfront pool deck more than makes up for its quieter location in Lionshead Village. While this heated pool and two adjacent hot tubs are fabulous in the summer, they’re a delight when snow is falling.

This is condominium living, and Antlers can even provide condo meal deliveries prepared by the property’s own Chef Barry. This is an excellent way to feed the entire family without having to hassle with reservations during the busy holiday season.

Vail boasts 5,317 skiable acres, and that is 2,169 more acres than the state’s second-largest ski resort, Keystone. Whether it’s bombing down blacks or spending the day playing in the Back Bowls, this is a resort with skiing available for every level.

Lionshead Village is a short, free bus ride away from Vail Village where shopping until you drop is readily available. The Village boasts such names as Gorsuch and The Pet Boutique. Vail is extremely dog-friendly, with Fido allowed in nearly every hotel in town, including Antlers at Vail.

Colorado is an international winter destination, but we are lucky enough to live here. Why not explore the state’s offerings this holiday season?