The quickly-approaching holiday season will present many opportunities for get-togethers with family and friends as kids come home from school and workplaces take a break. This is the time to create a new tradition. It may seem daunting, but with careful planning and a few deep breaths, hosting a winter-season gala can be fun and actually relatively simple.
Pick a Theme
The first step is to choose a theme, such as “Welcome Winter” or “Party Before We Get Snowed-in”—the idea is to make the event fun and memorable. There are no wrong choices—opt for a formal event or one that is much more casual. Regardless of which direction is chosen, it is important to set a dress code and communicate it clearly to all invitees. Letting everyone know what is expected in terms of attire is the best way to avoid a guest being embarrassed by showing up in jeans with everyone else dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns.The dress code decision must be tied to an overview of the guests; the chances of a good turnout can be significantly improved by hosting an event that will appeal to a majority of the invitees. If the folks on the list are known for spending most of their time both at work and at home in t-shirts and jeans, a black-tie event may not be something they’d enjoy, and they may not have an appropriate wardrobe, possibly making a Hawaiian Shirt Festival worth consideration. On the other hand, if those on the list are frequent patrons of the opera or local playhouse, a “Dress to Impress” theme might result in a high percentage of “Yes” responses.
