I Love Parties
http://www.setthestageforsuccess.com/articles/26689/1/I-Love-Parties/Page1.html
Denise Kennard
Denise is the co-owner and administrator of Competent Care Home Health Nursing in Costa Mesa, California. She has over twenty years of experience in home health nursing, in both bedside care and managerial roles. Denise is a member of California Association for Health Services at Home and serve in two committees. She is also a member of National Association of Women Business Owners and the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.By Denise Kennard
Published on 02/6/2009
I love parties! Relationships grow when people celebrate shared
blessings. In our household, we love to entertain and spend time with
friends. Even my ten-year-old loves the social interaction; he's earned
the nickname "Activities Director." We find that parties can just
happen—friends show up on the spur of the moment—or that parties can be
elaborate and planned.
I love parties! Relationships grow when people celebrate shared blessings. In our household, we love to entertain and spend time with friends. Even my ten-year-old loves the social interaction; he's earned the nickname "Activities Director." We find that parties can just happen—friends show up on the spur of the moment—or that parties can be elaborate and planned.
At work, I have found that our teamwork is enhanced when we take time to celebrate special occasions. Most of our work festivities are of the more informal type, although formal, uptown celebrations are great for special occasions. Our formal parties are usually hosted in a restaurant, which involves less corporate planning; our informal events often have a theme (Christmas, New Years, ethnic, medieval, etc) and are great fun to plan together as a group.
Here are a few things that I have learned over the years.
1. Take it outdoors!
An outdoor setting can be the perfect place to have a large or small gathering. A local park, the beach, the lake, even a library garden makes a great location for a celebration. If kids are involved, this gives them room to spread out, to run and play in a safe setting, and the parents still have room to visit and talk. It makes clean up easier too! Just be sure to be near decent restroom facilities and have enough seating. If you have guests bring sports equipment, you will probably have little time for the party games you have planned.
Make sure you have a rain date or a covered spot to congregate in, if you choose a day when the weather might not cooperate. If you are planning a work party, reserving a covered area will also give you a place to make announcements, give awards, and so on.
2. Have plenty of food!
Everyone knows that cookouts make for great parties and great food. This gives the men something to do as well. If you get more than one grill going, you'll have all kinds of experts on the job. You will probably get restaurant quality food too. Build up a repertoire of tasty, prepare ahead side dishes (pasta, fruit, garden, veggie salads are perfect and healthful too), and you'll be ready for easy entertaining.
If you are expecting a lot of people at a work event, consider finding a caterer to help with all or a portion of the food.
3. Don't stress!
Almost everyone loves an opportunity to party. The more you stress, the harder it will be to enjoy your guests when they arrive. And the harder it will be for them to enjoy your celebration. While an uptight hostess chills a party, a relaxed, happy hostess gives the party its warmth.
I hope your new year is full of memorable events and plenty of opportunities to celebrate!
At work, I have found that our teamwork is enhanced when we take time to celebrate special occasions. Most of our work festivities are of the more informal type, although formal, uptown celebrations are great for special occasions. Our formal parties are usually hosted in a restaurant, which involves less corporate planning; our informal events often have a theme (Christmas, New Years, ethnic, medieval, etc) and are great fun to plan together as a group.
Here are a few things that I have learned over the years.
1. Take it outdoors!
An outdoor setting can be the perfect place to have a large or small gathering. A local park, the beach, the lake, even a library garden makes a great location for a celebration. If kids are involved, this gives them room to spread out, to run and play in a safe setting, and the parents still have room to visit and talk. It makes clean up easier too! Just be sure to be near decent restroom facilities and have enough seating. If you have guests bring sports equipment, you will probably have little time for the party games you have planned.
Make sure you have a rain date or a covered spot to congregate in, if you choose a day when the weather might not cooperate. If you are planning a work party, reserving a covered area will also give you a place to make announcements, give awards, and so on.
2. Have plenty of food!
Everyone knows that cookouts make for great parties and great food. This gives the men something to do as well. If you get more than one grill going, you'll have all kinds of experts on the job. You will probably get restaurant quality food too. Build up a repertoire of tasty, prepare ahead side dishes (pasta, fruit, garden, veggie salads are perfect and healthful too), and you'll be ready for easy entertaining.
If you are expecting a lot of people at a work event, consider finding a caterer to help with all or a portion of the food.
3. Don't stress!
Almost everyone loves an opportunity to party. The more you stress, the harder it will be to enjoy your guests when they arrive. And the harder it will be for them to enjoy your celebration. While an uptight hostess chills a party, a relaxed, happy hostess gives the party its warmth.
I hope your new year is full of memorable events and plenty of opportunities to celebrate!