Holiday Parties

by Andy Lake

Holiday parties fall into a few categories, casual and formal and then depending on the holiday can go on from there. Greymount residents have thrown their share of parties and many of those were holiday parties. This how-to-guide is only for holiday parties and will not guarantee the arrival of a star, nor the arrival of the mime. The holiday season starts with Halloween, moves on to Thanksgiving, climaxes at Christmas or Hanukkah or the winter holiday of your choice, and the final bang is New Year’s Eve. You should pick up tons of tips to having a successful themed party.

Halloween parties are typically casual events with tons of food, music and of course, costumes. A few decorations, such as the jack-o’-lantern, and costume trunk are all that’s needed besides the usual party gear such as food, entertainment and guests. For those picky party goers, check out online catalogs for new and improved costumes and objects. A Halloween party is best thrown after dark-it’s spookier, but a daytime party will work as well-just have it in a dark room. For thrills put out a few jack-o’-lanterns and have a horror movie playing in the background for special effects, who knows, maybe the Grim Reaper will decide to see what all the fuss is about.

When having an affair for Thanksgiving, one usually goes formal. Formal can mean formalwear or really elegant casual wear, no jeans! Everyone must eat together so that all can reflect on why they are thankful and spend time with loved ones. The meal of course is the juicy turkey available through the catalog and perhaps some punch. After the meal, everyone then spends the evening watching sports-only if you have the new satellite dish, or playing volleyball. This party is usually low key and reserved for family members and close friends.

Christmas parties can be casual or elegant, depending on the number of guests and what the family can handle. A small daytime party for children to exchange gifts or for relatives and friends to gather and talk for a while is good for the family on a budget. Just decorate with a Christmas tree, mistletoe, etc and order a fresh turkey for dinner so no one has to cook. If you want more people, consider a casual block party with tons of turkey, or even just hire a caterer, and don’t forget the tree and festive music. If you have more resources or are upper class, an elegant dinner party can be enjoyable. This party should be invitation only party, if not ordering the turkey, a butler or robot can serve the meal or hire a caterer, however since the party is invitation only, it should be small, but make sure that everyone eats at the same time and at the same table. Christmas parties have more resources in the standard catalog such as the favorite mistletoe, Christmas tree or plate of fresh baked cookies and are more fun because of the gift giving. If a guest, I recommend paying attention the unpredictable story behing the holiday. Those residents that celebrate Hanukkah, a menorah is available in the standard catalog, however other items will have to be imported. In spite of the lack of objects, Hanukkah celebrations are usually family affairs with a few close friends. So have an invitation only dinner each night and share your tradition with the rest of the neighborhood. If a guest, I recommend paying attention during the prayers of blessings and the exciting story behing the holiday. Also growing in popularity is Kwanzaa, also a multiday festival ending with a huge feast on the 31st of December. So break out the turkey, call a caterer and invite the entire neighborhood to celebrate!

A New Year’s Eve bash is strickly for the adults, strickly for the party-lovers. This party is casual and BIG! Hire a caterer, you don’t want to cook for this crowd, have a few self service bars and of course the beloved punch. Once you have the food down, get the entertainment. An electronic dance floor, DJ Booth and dance cages should provide tons of fun, make sure to have comfy chairs and sofas for guests and Porto potties-you don’t want them mucking up your families personal bathroom. Now, just wait till the stroke of midnight to kiss your sweetie.