Ss 021916

Guide to Special Occasions

a blank slate media/litmor publications special section • february 19, 2016

32 Guide to Special Occasions • News Times Newspapers, Friday, February 19, 2016

Choosing the right restaurant for your party any dishes, and hosts won’t have to find time to clean their homes top to bottom like they would if they were to have a party at home.

Such a reality makes a dinner party at a local restaurant a lot less stressful for the hosts. There are a number of things to emphasize when looking for the right restaurant to host the next dinner party.

PROXIMITY Whether entertaining family and friends or a business dinner, the restaurant where you will be gathering should be easily accessible to all people who plan to attend. A centrally located restaurant that’s only a short drive for guests and hosts alike is ideal, as it cuts back on the time people will spend driving to and from the restaurant. Try to accommodate those guests who don’t drive by choosing a restaurant that’s accessible via public transportation.

Getting together with family and friends for a good meal is a great opportunity to reconnect and share a few laughs. Though such gatherings have traditionally taken place at private homes, today’s busy adults are increasingly turning to restaurants to host their mini reunions. Restaurants don’t require hosts and guests to wash

PRICE Perhaps the only downside to hosting a dinner party at a restaurant is that such gatherings tend to be more expensive than parties at private residences.

Hosts should first determine who will be paying the bill. If everyone has agreed to pay their own portion of the bill, this gives you a little more flexibility

when choosing a restaurant. If you, as the host, intend to pick up the tab for everyone, then you might want to find a nice restaurant with reasonably priced entrées. A five-star restaurant might break the bank, but you might be able to find a three- or four-star restaurant that’s still elegant and more affordable.

If each guest intends to pay for his or her own meal, discuss with guests how much they would like to spend before making a reservation. Once you have an idea of what everyone is willing to spend, you can start to narrow down your options.

MENU The menu is an important thing for hosts to consider when choosing a restaurant for their next dinner party.

Many men and women adhere to certain diets or lifestyles that restrict what they can and cannot eat, and you will want to find a restaurant that can cater to as many of your guests’ needs as possible. Discuss any dietary restrictions with your guests before you begin the process of finding a restaurant. If the responses are slow to come in, you can still go ahead with your search, but look for restaurants that offer vegetarian and gluten-free fare.

When examining the menu, take into consideration any offerings for kids if any guests are planning to bring their children along. Kids tend to prefer chicken fingers and fries over filet mignon and baked potatoes, so the restaurant should have some menu items for young children if kids will be joining in the festivities.

ACCESSIBILITY When looking for a restaurant, try to find one that’s easily accessible for any older guests who might not get around as easily as they used to or any guests who might have a disability that requires handicap accessible seating and restrooms. Many restaurants can fill both of these needs, but it’s still up to hosts to ask in advance so all guests have a comfortable evening. The parking lot should not be too far away, but if it is, ask the restaurant manager if valet service is available for those guests who might prefer it.

A dinner party at a restaurant with family, friends or even professional colleagues often makes for an enjoyable evening for guests and hosts alike. But hosts must consider several factors before ultimately choosing where they and their guests will dine.

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34 Guide to Special Occasions • News Times Newspapers, Friday, February 19, 2016

Preparing a home for entertaining

H

osting a party at home is a cost-effective way to entertain. But inviting friends over can be a lot of work, as the host and/or hostess is responsible for all aspects of party preparation and cleanup. While party hosts often must wait until the day of the party to tackle many of their responsibilities, they can get a head start on preparing their homes for their guests.

THE CLEAN-UP It may seem counterproductive to clean prior to having everyone over, but it is a necessity if you want to present your home in its best light.

The goal is to give the home the appearance of tidiness.

Every surface need not pass the white-glove test, but attention should be paid to any rooms in the house where guests will be spending time.

Begin with the rooms that will be occupied the most. Ensure that they are free of clutter. If you do not have time to put every piece of décor back in its rightful place, simply put misplaced things in boxes or baskets and store them out of sight until you can sort accordingly. Quickly vacuum the main entertaining area and wipe down any dusty surfaces.

While cleaning, pay special attention to the bathrooms, which will be subject to significant foot traffic. Spend ample time cleaning the bathroom because you want to present a clean, sanitary space.

In the same vein, make sure the master bedroom is neat.

Put on your best comforter and ensure the bed is made.

Unless you lock the bedroom door, expect at least one guest to mistakenly wander into the bedroom.

SEATING You will want to have enough seats for the majority of guests to be comfortable.

Expect at least 75 to 80 percent of guests to be seated at any given time while the remaining guests mingle. Your regular furniture may be able to accommodate a number of guests. If not, bring in seating.

It could mean temporarily moving out bulky sofas in lieu of folding chairs.

If you will be serving a sitdown meal, then you will definitely need a seat and place at the table for each one of your guests. Buffet-style meals and finger foods are often the best option when table space is limited.

SAFETY AND COMFORT Investigate your home for any potential safety hazards before inviting guests. Repair any chipped concrete on

walkways and ensure that railings are sturdy so no one trips or falls. Make sure that there is adequate indoor and outdoor light if you will be hosting your event in the evening. If you will be inviting a person with mobility issues, make sure that the path between the entryway and the bathroom is free of obstructions.

If you have a pet, keep in mind that some guests may be allergic to pets or uncomfortable around animals. In such instances, it is better to tuck away your pet in a quiet, out-of-the-way room for both the comfort of guests and the safety of the animal.

Keep all exits and windows easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Make sure that fire extinguishers are charged in the event a candle or chafing dish sterno gets knocked over.

Have a few seats available outdoors for smokers or those who want a break from the action.

Preparing a home for party guests takes some patience and elbow grease. But party hosts can get a head start on preparing their home to make the day of the party less hectic.

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36 Guide to Special Occasions • News Times Newspapers, Friday, February 19, 2016

What to look for when hiring a DJ

The success of a social event is often dictated by the activities that keep guests busy. At many parties, dancing is the primary activity. And as veteran party hosts know, who you hire to keep the music flowing and the guests dancing can make or break a party.

When the party is over, guests want to remember dancing to their favorite songs and how the music complemented the event.

A professional disk jockey, or DJ, can be instrumental in setting the mood of a party,

helping to create a festive atmosphere while choosing the right songs to enhance certain moments throughout the event. Here is how to choose a DJ that will fit with your goals and the scope of your event.

WHY HIRE A DJ? One reason many party hosts choose a DJ is affordability. Disc jockeys are traditionally less expensive than bands, and a DJ will have access to a selection of music that spans various generations and genres.

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Some hosts prefer a DJ because they enjoy hearing the real thing instead of a band covering a favorite artist. Whereas a band may be playing their own rendition of songs, a DJ will have the original recordings or particular dance mixes that are familiar to guests. While the music is playing, a DJ may offer some type of entertainment, such as leading guests on guided dances or distributing toys to those on the dance floor.

Some DJs work in conjunction with emcees or party professionals who mingle with the crowd and dance along. These people help guests overcome their inhibitions, encouraging them to dance and enjoy the party.

SELECTING A DJ When choosing a DJ, it is important to first get recommendations from friends and family or to witness in person how the DJ has performed at a prior function. It is always better to choose a DJ who has a proven track record. If guests walked away from a particular party with glowing accounts of a DJ’s work, then that should bear considerable weight as you make your decision. It is one thing to simply play music, but a DJ will need to establish a rapport with the crowd and recognize when to liven things up and get the crowd back on the dance floor. If you are employing a DJ from an entertainment service, be sure to request

that a particular DJ be present at your party.

Companies that farm out work to a variety of vendors may not guarantee that a particular person will provide the music for your event.

You may need to specify the name of the DJ you prefer in writing.

THE MUSIC MIX Talk to the DJ about your preferences as to the playlist. Together you can work out a playlist that will accommodate as many guests as possible. The DJ also will help keep the party on track, alerting guests as to when food is served or when certain games or activities will be played. If ever during a consultation you feel that the DJ is not listening to your suggestions or is unwilling to play the type of music you would like, then this is not the person for you. Most DJs will listen to requests and make suggestions for certain songs that will fit in with the party theme. Remember to mention if any songs should not be played. Depending on the age group at the party, off-color songs or ones with explicit lyrics may be discouraged.

In addition to keeping in touch and working with you on the planning of the event, the DJ should confirm your reservation and arrive early to set up.

Carefully researching your DJ options prior to hosting a party can mean the difference between a successful party where guests had a good time and a dull event that lacked a spark.

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38 Guide to Special Occasions • News Times Newspapers, Friday, February 19, 2016

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40 Guide to Special Occasions • News Times Newspapers, Friday, February 19, 2016

How to connect with the right caterer

Party hosts take on a significant amount of responsibility when they agree to entertain family and friends. When such gatherings are especially large, some hosts opt to hire a catering company to feed their guests.

Catering companies are often associated with weddings and

graduations, but such businesses also can be hired for less momentous occasions. Hiring a catering company for a home party is not necessarily the same as hiring one for a wedding. Couples about to tie the knot often receive a list of recommended caterers from the venue hosting their receptions,

and that list gives them a starting point for their caterer search right away. Such lists are not provided when hosting at home, but the following tips can help home hosts connect with the right caterer for their next get-together. * Seek recommendations.

Just because there’s no wedding planner there to offer advice with respect to caterers does not mean you don’t have some resources at your disposal. Seek recommendations from friends, family and professional colleagues.

If a coworker is tasked with planning your company’s events, speak with that colleague about the nature of your party and ask if he or she can recommend some local caterers who might be able to meet your needs with respect to both budget and menu. * Comparison shop. Even if the first caterer you visit presents an incredible menu that’s within your budget, it still helps to comparison shop, as the catering industry is competitive and you might be able to find an equally impressive caterer who can offer a similar menu for less money. If

your favorite caterer provides an estimate that’s considerably more expensive than the competition, try to negotiate a lower price with that caterer. Caterers are often creative enough to find something to work within your budget, but you will never know if you do not attempt to negotiate. * Ask if the caterer specializes in a particular cuisine or type of event. When speaking with various catering companies, ask each if they specialize in a particular type of food and if they are used to catering specific types of events.

If your party has a theme, then find a caterer who specializes in foods that fit into that theme.

Similarly, you will want a caterer who has experience catering your type of event. Many caterers can effectively handle a range of events, from smaller soirees like a child’s birthday party to more elaborate corporate affairs, but knowing how much experience they have with your particular type of party can provide some peace of mind. * Insist on a tasting. Once you have found the caterer you want,

schedule a tasting so you can experience the caterer’s menu firsthand. Many caterers offer an array of cuisines, and the tasting allows you to narrow down those choices so your menu is not all over the map come the day of the party. During the tasting, ask if the caterer uses frozen or fresh foods when preparing meals. Fresh foods are more favorable than frozen, and the bill likely reflects fresh food prices, so do not hesitate to request that only fresh foods are served at your party. * Get a contract. Every host’s nightmare is inviting friends, family members or professional colleagues over only to have something go wrong with the food. Avoiding such stress is why many people hire caterers in the first place. But that stress is only avoided when hosts get a contract in writing that carefully details what the caterer is providing and when food will be served. Read the contract carefully before signing to ensure the cost and timing of the party is clearly illustrated.

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