Halloween costume ideas

Unless you are a Celtic pagan (and they are out there so I don’t mean to slight them) and a number of others, your New Year comes at the beginning of January. I have collected the phrase “Happy New Year” in several different languages so that you can either impress (or annoy) your friends, or actually use the phrase to someone who doesn’t speak English.

Although the Hebrew New Year is actually Rosh Hashanah (usually sometime in September), you can say “shana tova” at both New Years. For your Spanish speaking friends you can use “Feliz Ano ~Nuevo” with great gusto. What about if you know someone who speaks Irish? You can use “Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit” but don’t ask me how to pronounce it. The Celtic languages always seem to have too many letters to me.

Newyear

Then there are, of course, the French, they who have brought us champagne, brie, and French fries. To them I would wish a hearty “bonne annee” as I drain my glass and nibble on another escargot (with Brigitte Bardot?)

Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection Review

Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection Overview

18 tracks including ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’, ‘The Christmas Waltz’, & ‘Santa Claus Is Coming Town’.

Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection Specifications

Talk about your gifts of Christmas past, The Christmas Collection is a must-have for any Sinatra-phile, right down to its family photos and one priceless shot of Sinatra swinging a golf club next to the tree wearing a Santa suit! Complete with four previously unreleased tracks (some from live TV specials) — including two with Bing Crosby (“The Christmas Song” and “White Christmas”), the 18-song collection surveys Sinatra’s holiday output and its effects are often chilling. Listening to him glide soulfully through Jimmy Webb’s melancholy but romantic “What Ever Happened to Christmas?” or hearing him do his immaculate phrasing on “Silent Night” when he was visibly frail and aging in 1991 are close encounters of a Sinatra kind that are rarely captured on one album. There’s also a delightful “The Twelve Days of Christmas” sung with his kids Nancy and Frank, Jr., from their 1969 record The Sinatra Family Wish You A Merry Christmas and insightful and intimate liner notes by James Ritz, not to mention those magical orchestral arrangements. Here’s a five-star package to remind us that it’s still Frank’s world–we just rent a stable in it. Highly recommended. –Martin Keller

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For our troops overseas, valiantly protecting our way of life, if you have the occasion you can wish one of the locals a gleeful “Sanah Jadidah” with a nod toward Mecca. And, to my wife’s family on Sao Michael on the Azores (some of the best food ever, my wife’s carne guisada will make a grown man cry) I would offer my heartfelt “Feliz Ano Novo”

That’s Happy New Year in six languages. I hope it is of some use to you.

Happy New Year in 6 Different Languages!

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The New Year is fast approaching, and the buzz of New York City’s ball drop will soon be felt again. If the company has not considered the marketing plan for 2011, then you are a few steps behind the competition. Building a strategy takes time and effort, but the results will make up for the effort in the end. To get started, we have compiled a list of ten steps to remember when putting together a marketing plan for custom or portable exhibits for the New Year.

1. Set The Marketing Focus For 2011

Newyear

The most important step when setting the course for the next year is charting the direction to take. The marketing focus directs your business actions throughout the year. Since this is the first step, it is also the most crucial. Even one degree off from the right direction at trade show exhibits means that the company will be way off course for the entire year.

2. Identify The Marketing Audience

The audience is an important factor in the success of the marketing at portable exhibits. If the target audience is senior citizens but the materials are developed for young adults then you are missing the mark of the target audience. Understand the audience being targeted and develop the plan for an event with them in mind.

3. Select Exhibitions To Attend

Once an exhibitor understands the focus and audience, it will be easier to select the best exhibitions. Analyze the demographics of each exhibition and target those that will be best for the marketing strategy. After slimming down the list of possibilities, choose those that provide the most value for portable exhibits and keep within the budget.

4. Put Together The Strategy

When considering trade show booths, keep in mind what needs accomplished at the booth. Do you want the attendees to be drawn in by impactful videos? Would you like to have a semi-private spot for meetings to occur? Remember that strategy must play a role in every decision that is made for exhibitions.

5. Select The Booth Design

How well the planning process has gone affects your ability to choose the right design. Often exhibitors just choose a trade show booth and work with what they have. The most successful exhibitors have a strategy and choose a booth design that fits within that strategy. This may require a custom booth, but the payoff is well worth it in the end.

Don’t Let The Ball Drop

Unlike New York, when the New Year comes do not let the ball to drop. Start planning your custom or portable exhibits now to have success in the coming year. If you do not know where to begin, a trade show exhibits professional will help you get started. Their knowledge and experience will give you the tools to have a successful 2011.

2011: Five Steps To Successful Trade Show Exhibits In The New Year

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It’s 3 months before Christmas and if you want to get away from home during this holiday season, it’s time to make plans to ensure a stress-free Christmas vacation!

Some people may traditionally prefer to go where the snow is, where it’s freezing, and where Santa has no problems wearing ultra-thick clothes.

Chrismas

I recommend going where the sun shines the whole day, where you can frolic on white sand beaches and swim in the warm sea, where you can go shopping in exotic stores wearing only a pair of sandals and Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.

Already excited? Well, read on and find out more about these 5 islands that you’re bound to want to visit during the Yuletide season.

Solitude In Fiji

Explore one of The Pacific’s beautiful and more popular islands, Fiji. Be right on a tropical island and not miss Christmas at all! You can easily go to Christmas-focused community activities if you really miss the yuletide season and experience Christmas with a Fijian twist. And if you really want to get away from it all, just go to the beach or laze in your very own bure ( thatched hut )

Activities: diving, beach, spa, snorkeling, island cruise, wildlife exploration

Ave. temperature during Christmas: 23°F -29°F

Exotic Seychelles

Seychelles was once referred to by British General Charles Gordon as the site of the Garden Of Eden and it’s difficult to disagree with him. Its pristine white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, and exotic blend of flora and fauna can easily make you think that this is the garden the Bible refers to.

Activities: beach, diving and snorkeling, sailing, honeymoon, wedding, island hopping

Ave. temperature during Christmas: 24°C-31°C

Tenerife Spain – Cultural & Wildlife Vacations

Who says the whole of Europe is a winter wonderland during Christmas? Go to Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands and you’re in for a big surprise. Dubbed as Europe’s winter playground, Tenerife, is referred to as the island of eternal spring. It is home to Spain’s 2nd highest peak, the Volcano Teide, has a flourishing national park, and of course some of the archipelago’s best beach hideaways.

Activities: Visits to archaeological sites, art and natural history museums, explore the Guimar Pyramids, nudist beaches, visit the national park

Ave. temperature during Christmas: 19°C-23°C

Holidays Down Under – Fraser Island Australia

If you want to be just a stone throw away from the Great Barrier Reef, be ensconced in wildlife, explore tropical rainforests and laze on pristine beaches, Fraser Island is the place to be. This World Heritage Site is rich in flora and fauna and is the world’s largest sand island.

Activities: wilderness safari, rainforest treks, dolphin watching, camping, fishing

Ave. temperature during Christmas: 20°C-29°C

The Caribbean Beat In Barbados

It’s the Caribbean island where dignitaries such as Tony Blair and Bill Clinton indulge in holiday pleasures. And you too can go this Christmas and see what the island has to offer. Bask in the beauty of this delightful Caribbean island; experience its very unique culture which was formed by the distinct and unique influences of the British and the Africans. And laze on its 95 kilometers of unspoiled white sand beach.

Activities: beach, water sports, underwater exploration by submarine, golf, cave exploration, island safari

Ave. temperature during Christmas: 24°C-28°C

Christmas Vacations On Tropical Islands

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Making New Year‘s resolutions has always been a popular annual tradition. This year, with the economy in such an unstable and unpredictable state, many people are choosing to make budget planning a New Year‘s resolution. If you take a well-thought out approach to implementing a realistic budget in the New Year, there is no reason why you can’t be successful in managing your finances.

Below are a number of tips to making your New Year‘s resolutions for budget planning a success:

Newyear

Eliminate Debt Overload: Millions of people are saddled with too much debt which makes it very difficult to manage. The first thing you should do is work to reduce or eliminate excessive debt. One method of slashing your debt is to consolidate your bills. When you consolidate your debt, you will be able to take all of your outstanding bills such as your mortgage, credit card bills, car loans, and personals loans, and put them into one loan. This will provide you with one monthly payment with one interest rate. It will lower costs and you will improve your credit rating.

Organize Finances: Organize your bills and figure out your monthly fixed expenses such as your utilities, car payments…etc. This will ensure you know exactly when bills are due so you can avoid late payments. Make a list of the dates each bill is due and post it in a place you view everyday such as beside the computer.

Create a Realistic Budget: It is important to know how much money is coming into the household monthly and how much is leaving the household. Creating a budget will help you manage your cash flow so you are living within your means. It will also help you identify areas where you are spending too much money so you can develop methods to reduce the extra incidental costs.

Stretch Every Dollar: It is important to find ways to reduce your daily living costs. For instance, you can shop at thrift stores, buy products when there is a sale, buy a cheaper car instead of a brand new car, buy generic brands, take advantage of coupons, and look for clearance sales. Other personal cost cutting methods can include: bringing your own lunch to work, carpooling to save on fuel, cutting down on entertainment activities, dining-in instead of going to restaurants…etc. Finding ways to stretch your dollars can be a challenge, but it is not an impossible task.

New Years resolutions are only effective if you make a real commitment to keeping the resolutions. It is important to be aware that building a healthy long-term financial future will take fiscally realistic planning and time. When committing to fiscal prudence, it is important to focus on the big picture. The reward for keeping a New Year‘s resolution to practice good financial planning will be financial freedom, less stress, and learning self-control when shopping. The best benefit of budget planning in the New Year is that you will become a much healthier and happier person.

New Year’s Resolutions For Budget Planning

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Across the country, pest control problems can ruin the holidays. A home pest inspection can help you avoid this unsavory situation. During a home pest inspection, a residential pest control expert checks out your home, looking for situations that could encourage rodent and insect infestations. The tips listed below can also help you discourage pests this holiday season.

Keep it Clean

Holiday Tips

As every pest control guru knows, pantry pests are a common residential pest control problem all year long. Weevils, moths, ants, rodents and beetles are happy to feed on any carbohydrate-heavy food, including rice, cereal and flour. To avoid drawing pests to your pantry, keep a tidy kitchen. After eating, immediately clean up any crumbs or spills, and store extra food in airtight containers. Finally, keep your pantry dry; like us, pests need water to survive.

Firewood Pest Prevention

For pests, firewood represents both shelter and food. Avert firewood pest infestations by storing firewood off of the ground. Keep firewood more than twenty feet from your house. Proximity encourages infestations, as bugs tend to explore the area surrounding their homes, and firewood makes an excellent rodent and bug home. Pest inspection experts take a good look at firewood storage, since this area often creates the need for residential pest control.

Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Hitchhike

Bed bugs are showing up in posh hotels across the nation, so don’t feel bad about protecting your home from bed bugs that may have hitchhiked in with holiday guests. After all, bed bugs have spread across America by hitching rides with travelers. Your guests may unwittingly bring bed bugs into your home on their luggage.

Protect yourself against these tiny vampires by dressing guest beds in light-colored linens. This will make it much easier to see bed bug specimens, exoskeletons and feces. Additionally, you should store luggage away from bedrooms once your guests have unpacked. Following the visit, wash clean linens in very hot water. Lastly, a box spring and mattress encasement is an excellent method of practicing bed bug residential pest control.

Christmas Tree Pest Prevention

A Christmas tree is a cheery reminder that life survives even the dismal months of winter – a valuable message, especially in wet climates like the Northwest. Pest control precautions are needed, however, even with this most familiar symbol of the holiday season. Carefully check out self-cut or store-bought trees, looking for spider webs. If you find webs, remove them immediately. You should also keep an eye out for live insects lurking in your tree. These pests can breed quickly in your home’s heated environment. Apply these same home pest inspection methods when bringing fresh wreaths or garlands into your home.

Carefully Unpack Decorations

Moths, nesting mice, silverfish and carpet beetles love to set up shop in storage containers. Not only do storage boxes provide a protected home for pests, but they also contain pest food in the form of organic materials like fabric and paper. Therefore, be very careful when unpacking stored holiday decorations. If you can stand the cold temperatures, unpack holiday decorations outdoors. Watch for pests while unwrapping figurines, stockings and ornaments. As far as residential pest control is concerned, the ideal storage solution is plastic tubs with locking, tight lids, as pests can’t gnaw their way into these containers.

Home Pest Inspection Tips to Prevent Holiday Pest Infestations

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Whether you are looking for a new career, applying for a promotion, or starting your own business this year, if you don’t have the right frame of mind, I promise you, your efforts will not work. You’re defeated before your get out of the gate, and that is a bad way to start the New Year. It’s much better to consciously put yourself in the right frame of mind before starting a new goal. There are many ways to align your mind before finding a new career.

Here are six steps that will assist you in creating your new career.

Newyear

o Take care of yourself first – Don’t let clients, colleagues, friends and family dictate how you will prioritize your day. Don’t put off what feeds you.

o Attitude of gratitude – when you acknowledge what you are grateful for, the universe hears it and unexpectedly, more good comes from it. Write down at least five things you are grateful for each night in your journal.

o Affirmations – Positive statements you say to your subconscious to visualize the outcome you want for the future. Say your affirmations as if you already have it, using the present tense. “I am happily working in the job I love and making good money.”

o Visualization – Go to a quiet place and visualize yourself with a positive outcome. For instance, if you are going to an interview, on the morning of the interview, visualize yourself answering all the questions in a positive manner along with getting along well with everyone you meet. Test this method and I think you’ll agree that it really works.

o Visioning board – Create a collage on a large poster board of the things you want in your life for this year. Cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers. Draw. Be as creative as you like. Look at it every day. You may be surprised at how fast you get them when you face them every day.

o Write out your success history – Take 15 minutes and write out 30 successes you have had over your lifetime – no matter how big or small. Piano recital at 3? Received a promotion last year? Add anything you can think of and post it where you can see it often.

Desired Goals + Imagination + Action = Success

By following these steps you will gain more clarity in the career that you seek. Try them and see what happens; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

New Year, New Mindset – 6 Steps To Create Your New Career

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Disney Christmas and Holiday Events at Walt Disney World Resorts 2011

Disney has always stood for family-friendly entertainment, so it’s no surprise that the holiday season is one of the most popular seasons for Disney vacations. In fact, as early as November 8th, Walt Disney World Resort starts preparing for the season with dazzling productions, lively parades, shining garlands and wreaths and millions of glittering lights.

Chrismas

In case you’re planning a Disney vacation this holiday season, or if you’re looking into a Disney timeshare rental, we’ve put together a short list of some 2011 Disney holiday attractions you won’t want to miss:

Holidays at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

At Disney’s Magic Kingdom, kids and adults alike will fall in love with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an after-hours party occurring from 7pm – 12am on 19 nights between November 8 and December 18, 2011. During these family-friendly festivities, celebrants can enjoy dazzling fireworks, carolers, character “meet & greets” and merry shows while sipping complimentary hot cocoa with cookies and apple slices. Attractions at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party include:

Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season – A spectacular fireworks extravaganza
A magical “snow fall” on Main Street, U.S.A.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade – with a special appearance by Santa Claus!
Live entertainment featuring Disney Characters
Castle Dream Lights at Cinderella Castle (see below)
Meet and greet opportunities with beloved Disney characters
Complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa
Additional Magic Kingdom attractions open late!

The Magic Kingdom also offers Castle Dream Lights, a dazzling display of light and ceremonial shows performed every evening at dusk at the Cinderella Castle. From November 8 – Jan 3, favorite Disney characters don festive garb and transform Cinderella’s Castle into an “ice palace draped with 200,000 ice cycle-white lights – a breathtaking focal point to a park ready for revelers with wreaths, bows, garland, towering Christmas trees and scarlet poinsettias dominating the landscape.” – chipandco.com

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place Nov. 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18, 2011. Day-of-event pricing is .95 and .95 for children (up to age 9). You can save per ticket when you purchase in advance. Tickets can be purchased online here.

Source: chipandco.com

Holidays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

For the holidays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, families will delight the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This virtual city of lights is a mega-watt spectacle of dancing lights and animated displays synchronized to upbeat holiday music. With whirling carousels, brightly colored wreaths, flying angels, swirling snow flurrries, amazing 3-D effects and even a visit from Santa and his reindeer, this is truly a Christmas festival to remember.

Holidays at Epcot

Holidays around the World – during this “World Showcase” international storytellers share holiday tales and traditions from their homeland. Here families can stroll a promenade peppered with characters like Italy’s La Befanda, the kind treat-bringer known for filling children’s shows with delights; or Father Christmas – the gift-bearer of the UK. Of course, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated during this heartwarming event. The night ends with the mesmerizing “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” a spectacular showcase featuring a fountain show, laser lights and fireworks display.

Candlelight Processional – this breathtaking retelling of the Christmas story is accompanied by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra. From November 25-December 30th, a celebrity narrator takes the stage at America Gardens Theatre to share the story of Christ’s birth.

Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In addition to festive carolers and immaculately trimmed Christmas trees (complete with animal crafted ornaments) vacationers staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will enjoy Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. Here beloved King Louie and Baloo lead a safari-stale musical promenade through the park. From Nov. 10 to Jan. 3, 2012, Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates the playful spirit of the holidays as Chip & Dale, stilt walkers and savannah friends dance alongside decorative floats at 4 p.m. daily.

Other Disney Christmas Events at Disney Resorts

In addition to festively decorated villas, resorts and Disney timeshares boast a number of holiday must-sees including Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa’s life-size and impressively intricate gingerbread house featuring 1,050 pounds of honey, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 35 pounds of spices and a chimney puffing out aromatic cinnamon smoke.

There’s also an amazing gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort that features chocolate and soft-candy ponies and an oversized candy-cane pole.

If you’re planning a visit to your favorite Disney timeshare or hotel, or if you’re considering an Orlando timeshare rental during the holiday season; don’t miss these great Disney events! And if you’d like a hand renting a Disney timeshare or finding a Disney vacation property on the resale market, always work with a BBB Accredited licensed timeshare broker like Timeshare Broker Sales.

Disney Holiday Attractions – How to Plan Your 2011 Christmas Vacation to Disney

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The holidays are full of festivity and fun. Here are some fast and free household cleaning tips.

Cleaning a spill on the carpet

Holiday Tips

It’s inevitable. No matter how careful everyone tries to be, someone is going to spill some food or drink on your nice clean carpet. To keep the spill from doing damage try to dab it up as quickly as possible. Mix one tablespoon of mild liquid dishwashing detergent in 1/2 cup of warm water (note: you can also use 1/2 cup of white vinegar). Grab two clean white towels. Use one to dab at the stain with the solution, and the other to alternately blot the area to soak up the spill.

Keep frost away from windows

If you live in a cold weather area, it’s nice to be able to look outside and see the pretty winter snow and holiday decorations. If your home windows fog up in cold weather, there’s a solution. Wipe windows with a solution of 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol (or antifreeze) per 1 quart of water. Another tip is to moisten a cloth with glycerin and wipe the insides of the windows.

Cleaning your precious knickknacks

If you have a great collection of knickknacks that you love to display, but hate to clean, here’s some good news: there’s a quick and easy way to clean your figurines. Simply place your knickknacks inside the kitchen sink and spray them with window cleaner. Move them to a paper towel to air dry. This works for glass, china, and glazed figurines.

Cleaning candle wax drippings

Candlesticks – to clean hardened wax off of candlesticks, place the candlesticks inside the freezer for an hour or more. Remove candlesticks and the frozen wax should easily peel off. Wash and dry candlesticks. If you’re pressed for time, run the candlesticks under very hot water, cover your hand with a soft towel and gently push hot wax off the candlestick.

Tablecloth – to remove still warm candle wax from a tablecloth, rub the wax with an ice cube to harden it, then scrape the wax off with a spatula. Place a paper towel over and underneath the remaining wax. Press wax area with a warm iron. Keep changing paper towels until all remaining wax is absorbed. Sponge off the remaining residue with dry cleaning solvent. Rub the area gently with heavy duty liquid detergent. Put tablecloth through the washing machine as soon as possible.

Fireplace cleaning

To prevent lots of ash dust from spreading around the room when you clean out your fireplace, sprinkle damp tea leaves onto the ash first.

If you have a slate hearth, you can make it a glossy showpiece by washing it every six weeks, letting it dry, and wiping it down with lemon oil.

Wash brass fireplace tools in warm sudsy water.

Clean sticky fireplace tools with a cloth moistened with kerosene. Let tools completely dry before using again.

Quick clothing stain removal

Don’t panic when you spill something on your clothes. Pour a glass of club soda. Dip a clean white cloth or handkerchief into the club soda and sponge off the stain.

Cleaning up after a big party

Step 1: gather up all the cups, bottles and glasses. Empty any partially-filled containers into the kitchen sink. Look around for spills and clean them up immediately.

Step 2: Fill kitchen sink with soapy water and soak dishes and utensils. If you have a dishwasher, run your first load of dishes.

Step 3: Grab a large garbage bag and begin picking up party garbage in the outer rooms, work your way towards the kitchen.

Step 4: Dust furniture and clean floors and rugs. Work your way towards the kitchen.

Step 5: Clean kitchen. Take out garbage bags.

7 Spotless Holiday House Cleaning Tips

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Christmas season comes only a few days a year. But during these times, the whole world is filled with excitement and joy for the prospect of Christmas dinners, parties, reunions and of course presents. That is why, during this season, people are seen busy coming to and fro the many stores imaginable just to make their Christmas gift ideas a reality. With a long list of presents in hand, they tackle this very fun task which is shopping.

The many activities that surround Christmas time without a doubt give happiness and purpose to people. Because of this occasion, they are able to do things they don’t usually do the entire year such as travel back to their hometowns, spend a few days with friends, and of course, give presents to every loved one whether they are family or friends. And because of this, they arm themselves with a plethora of Christmas gift ideas prior to the coming of Christmas.

Chrismas

This season, albeit the cliché of it pertaining to forgiveness, reconciliation and just giving of love holds true in one way or another. Whoever did not witness any real reunion and reconciliation among loved ones during Christmas? Cheesy as it may seem but indeed, Christmas has that effect on people. Whether these special moments are planned like Christmas gift ideas readied for a year or a real spontaneous one, what matters is that during this sacred season, people are willing to give themselves and each other a chance to live in peace and love again.

Moving on from the touching part, this season is also a time for taking chances. That taking of chance may pertain to just about anything such as extreme activities. If a person does not usually do unrestrained actions, this time they may try going for activities such as bungee jumping or even skydiving. And just like Christmas gift ideas, this activity may be planned out for a year or even years prior.

Additionally, people may also take chances in relationships during the holidays. These relationships can range from being lovers or to being friends and family. It is the same thing with Christmas gift ideas as well. More often than not, the giver may not be sure of what the receiver likes but he takes his chance on whatever he comes up with anyways.

What People Do During Christmas

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Planning successful social events takes time and patience. But the effort also gives you a chance to shine. One of the best ways to demonstrate your good judgment and your administrative ability is to help plan a party that people will be talking about all winter long.

Start Planning Now In most cases the planning should be at least two to three months in advance. Most restaurants and caterers have their menus ready months in advance. Ask for copies to be faxed or sent to your office. Consider:

Holiday Tips

What type of party is appropriate for the occasion? (casual get-together, banquet, buffet, dance, etc.)
Are you hosting this event during the work week?
Where will it take place? (office, hotel or restaurant)
Who is footing the bill? (company or the employees)
Set the date.

Something to Think About: Your company may want to consider its tax deduction when you’re planning the party. As a basic rule: If the party is held on your company’s premises, the expenses are fully tax deductible. But if the party is held at a restaurant, hotel or banquet hall, the cost is fully deductible only if the party is “primarily” for rank and file. An off-premises party is at least 80% deductible no matter which employees attend.

To Cater or Not to Cater If your boss wants to keep it simple, you could order party trays from the local deli or ask staff members to bring in various food items for a pot-luck. Keep in mind, however, that people who sign up to bring in certain dishes may show up with something else on party day. To avoid getting stuck with ten bags of potato chips and no desserts, you may want to take up a collection ahead of time and buy the refreshments yourself.

If the event will be formal or if a lot of people will be attending, you may want to hire a caterer. This will save you an enormous amount of time because once the essential decisions about the party are made, you can let the caterer handle the details.

Here are some suggestions if you decide to go the catering route:

Shop around. If you have never hired a caterer and have no recommendations to fall back on, check with the home office. They may recommend two or three reputable caterers in the area that are suited to your needs.
Make sure the caterer you choose is licensed has liability insurance and a permit. Feel free to ask for references, a reliable business shouldn’t mind. Call the references and verify their service.
When you’re considering price quotes from caterers make sure you’re getting what you pay for, i.e. one caterer may serve frozen pizza that you could easily buy in a grocery store, while another may prepare it fresh.
See if the caterer can prepare an assortment of interesting foods and Hor D’Oeuvres. People like to be able to pick and choose. You may also want to take dieters and those with known health issues into consideration and have vegetables, fruits and salads or even special dishes, such as low-cholesterol recipes
Go over the details once you decide on a caterer, you need to take the time to discuss your plans in detail so the caterer knows exactly what you want. For a company party, the presentation can be extremely important. The best company parties are often somewhat simple, but elegant.
Make sure you get a signed Catering Agreement outlining job responsibilities, total cost of your event, deposit and additional fees for setup and decorations. If there’s room in your party budget, you might consider having the caterer supply a staff to serve and clean up so you can enjoy the party.
When deciding on the menus consider using seasonal dishes. Quality and price are the main cost saving advantages.

Alcohol or Wine Because of the potential legal liabilities, more and more companies are serving wine or champagne instead of having a full bar. Make sure employees are reminded of the State Laws and Company policy on Alcohol and Drugs. Besides cutting down on legal problems, it helps to keep party expenses down. A champagne punch is a good choice for a holiday party.

The Forget-Me-Nots Don’t forget the little things. Once the major details are worked out, make arrangements for often overlooked essentials, such as ice. It’s the first thing that people run out of so buy extra. You can always through out what’s left over, but you’ll have a problem if you run out of it at the party.

Try and give the caterer an accurate count of people attending. Caterers usually take into account a few extra people. But if there’s gross misjudgment you’ll run out of food. And nobody wants to run out of food.

You should be ready to have a great time and shine for all your efforts in making this a successful event to remember.

Tips To Plan The Perfect Office Holiday Party

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