Recently I did a gig at the Lancaster Science Factory - I helped plan their 2nd Birthday (Anniversary) Party. We were prepared to feed 200+ children and parents with birthday treats. During the planning stages it was suggested that we buy birthday sheet cakes. Because we were limited with volunteers and given the fact that the event was for children I suggested cupcakes. All kids love cupcakes. In addition, we didn’t have to fool with cutting and serving… kids could just help themselves. They did and all was wonderful. The display was beautiful, simple and impressive with no fuss. Which is the segue here… when planning an event be sure that you think this process through. Some spaces will charge you to cut the cake - up to $2 per person, sometimes! If you’re in love with the venue but not the cake cutting fee… cupcakes are a great alternative. Most cake bakers can make absolutely beautiful cupcakes. You could get mini wedding cakes too. The options are pretty limitless.

Be sure to check out Perfect Settings in the Lancaster County Magazine’s Bridal Issue this month!

Courtesy of the Association of Wedding Professionals.

“Twas The Bride”

‘Twas the night before New Year’s
And all through the house,
The girlfriend was angry
She wasn’t a spouse!

She hoped for the joy
That Christmas would bring.
But Christmas had passed,
And she still had no ring!

They’d been together
For over two years.
Long-term commitment-
That must be his fear.

She thought, “That’s the reason
That I’m still single.
I’m breaking it off!
Then the phone gave a jingle.

“Come outside,” said the voice,
And then went away.
She opened the door,
And there was a sleigh!

He wisked her away,
Grinned like a fox
Got down on one knee
And opened the box.

T’was the first day of New Year
Her eyes opened wide.
“Yesterday, I’m a girlfriend.
Today, I’m a bride!”

She started to panic
“There’s so much to do!
To plan a whole wedding.
What do I do?”

Reception hall! Caterer!
Florist and tux!
Save money, save time,
And no acid reflux!

Video! DJ! Photo!
Limousine & Gown!
I won’t have to be running
All over the town!”

So she called her attendants
To the shows they all flew.
Ate catering samples
And wedding cake, too!

And I heard her exclaim
the planning’s just begun,
“What I need is a Planner
So my headache is done!”

At Perfect Settings we are just one call away 717.684.4455!!

My Wish for all my family and friends in 2010
May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears…… be that of joy.
May the problems you had, forget your home address!

Wanda’s party has been postponed until next Saturday the 26th.
Have a Jesus, Joseph and Mary Christmas!!

When I was in the eighth grade my Civics Teacher, Mr. Resh, told us there were some things in life that were mandatory. He would write phrases on the blackboard that has stayed with me all of these years. Things like; Procrastination is the thief of time. Or; What you do today may affect the rest of your life. Or: Know your rights! Deep words for that of a 14 year old. So it was no surprise when he handed out clippings from the Dear Abby columns that were life lessons. The Dear Abby column that I was handed that day had to do with a woman that could not believe the adults that her children became. One of the writer’s daughters had attended a party and received a gift. However, she showed up without a hostess gift and she never wrote a thank you card to the giver. Dear Abby stated (and I’m paraphrasing) “By the time a child is 12 years old they should know that it is proper and common knowledge to send thank you cards and bring along a hostess gift to any party.“ I was 14 and this was news to me. So much so that I never forgot it.
With the hustle and bustle of the Season in full swing I want to explore the giving of hostess gifts. I think people don’t bring along a hostess gift not because they didn’t think about it but because they just have no clue of what to bring.
As an event coordinator I can tell you that although a bottle of wine feels like a safe gift to give anyone, it isn’t. In my experience, there are lots of people that would consider this gift as a bit presumptuous and inappropriate. If you know the hostess and you know that that person loves a good Merlot by all means do buy the bottle of wine. If, though, you’ve only ever met the hostess once or twice or let’s say the hostess is your spouse’s boss, don’t buy a bottle of good Merlot. You don’t know that person well enough to make an assumption. Give instead a nice poinsettia. A Christmas plant brings a smile on the face of the Grinch himself.
Never give a personal gift to an associate or coworker. This includes shirts (of any kind), bottles of perfume, pajamas or socks. A candle with a Christmas scent would be a better match for someone like that.
The in-laws are always hard to guess. If you’re going to a family function you are not excused from a hostess gift. In-laws are hostesses too. A poinsettia or a candle would do great as well as a bottle of wine (if you know your in-laws well enough) but you could always bring a party platter of cookies, nuts or chocolates. Know that your hostess is not obligated to share or serve anything that you bring to a party. If you choose to bring a party platter of cheese and nuts don’t ask the hostess to serve it. The hostess is under the stress of entertaining. The last thing they want is for you to put yet another item on their plate – no pun intended. It may not even cross their mind because their mind is on the party itself. If the hostess asks “would it be ok for me to put this out for all of us to enjoy?” of course that’s a nice gesture and your answer should be “sure!”
Whatever your gift is put some thought into it so that it makes sense for the person you’re gifting to. Don’t give golf balls to your granny that has never stepped foot onto a green. It will be awkward and you will leave her baffled.
No matter what you decide on a hostess gift go into the party with a spirit of giving and sharing. Even the smallest of trinkets are always appreciated when it is given with the warmth of giving that only Christmas can bring.
My hostess gift to you is from my favorite Christmas song, sung by Amy Grant :

“…Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul.
No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.”

Hear ye, hear ye…. Wanda’s party is still a go … that is until she says otherwise.

I never make New Year’s resolutions but come January 1st I’ll be making one. This year has been crazy busy and I’ve been inundated with running the reception business. That said I blogged less than 40 posts this year. Pathetic. Sooooo on January 1st I’ll be making a resolution to blog. Not just useless information but information that can be looked at in less than 3 minutes and you go away thinking… “Hmmm…. I didn’t know that. I’m so glad I stopped by Perfect Settings’ blog today!” Short and sweet and to the point. That’s what I’ll be striving for. Anyone have some topics that they’d like covered?

As some of you know, my sister sells handbags. This Sunday she is having a handbag sale at Perfect Settings - just in time to kick off the Holiday Season! Guys, come take a sneak peek for your wife - she’ll be surprised you had such good taste… Girls, come in and start that “I bought this for myself as a treat” gift. I’ve seen the bags.. they are gorgeous!!
There will be no pushy sales people and everything will be cash and carry.
When: Sunday, November 8th
Time: 3 pm
At: Perfect Settings
Call with questions.
Hope to see you there,
Daisy

People dread Holiday entertaining mostly because they feel like they can’t host parties with flair. People with flair need not be concerned. The following is information for the rest of us that require Holiday direction.
When I started research to write this I thought “No wonder people despise hosting parties the plethora of information is overwhelming!” However, it doesn’t have to be. It’s pretty simple if you keep it simple. Consider a holiday get together as dinner for you and your family but at a larger scale. In reality that’s really what it is.
According to the Buitoni website, the only site I found that didn’t have information overload, Holiday parties are easy and simple:
Serve 4-5 bite-sized dishes. People like to eat while they drink, and some may use this as dinner. Think big flavors – people won’t be eating a whole plate of it, so aim to impress in one or two bites. Serve one or two meat dishes and a vegetarian dish. Buitoni suggests a crudité be served. I disagree. As someone that has events or entertains just about every weekend of the year, crudités are hardly ever eaten. Guests will sample the carrots and celery but that’s about it. If you plan to serve a veggie tray try spicing it up a bit. Buy nice Greek olives, asparagus, stuffed jalapeño peppers or any other veggie. Be sure to sear them on the grill. I promise it will always get eaten. Planning on this going late? Then make one plate of dessert bites (hint: little cookies always work). If you don’t have time to bake cookies don’t let that upset you… Columbia has a wonderful Market House with many different cookie vendors. I’ve tasted every vendor’s cookies that are sold there … I would serve these at the most elaborate of events.
Plan your food strategy in advance. Have the cold starters plated in the fridge – just pull off the plastic wrap and set them out. Keep warm ones in the oven on very low heat so all you have to do is plate them and set them out. Periodically check the table and remove any empty or nearly-empty plates. And make sure you have receptacles for olive pits, used toothpicks and shrimp tails. Preplanning your event is the difference between a good event and a fabulous event. The last thing you want is to have guests start arriving to find you with your hair still wet and not a stitch of makeup on.
Best of the rest. Remember to have plenty of mixers (tonic water, mineral water, dry vermouth, orange & cranberry juice should suffice), as well as lime and lemon wedges and good olives. Provide some good wine and beer for those that don’t like liquor and some classy non-alcoholic choices for people that don’t like all the above. For equipment, a cocktail shaker and strainer, enough glassware plus at least one corkscrew and bottle opener and a small knife. Consider serving one special drink for the evening. Margaritas? Mojitos? Sidecars? You decide.
A good host is a safe host. Always, encourage guests to drink responsibly. Remember, your job as host is to make sure everyone has a good time, and to make sure everyone gets home safely. Have phone numbers for taxi services handy, and don’t be afraid to take the keys of someone who’s had too many. It should go without saying but a good host is also a sober host. A host should be ready to party at least ½ hour before any of the guests are expected to arrive.
Expect the unexpected. Sometimes a great party is an impromptu party. Having nice serving trays, store-bought raw cookies, olives (that you can toss in garlic and olive oil), cheese, table water crackers, pepperoni, chicken wings, ice and plenty of drinks on hand will get you out of any party pinch. You can prepare any of the above and be ready to mingle with your guests in a matter of 15 minutes. No party needs to be complicated. Be sure to rearrange furniture so that guests can move freely without knocking over items. With a little organization you can confidently say “Bring on the Holiday Parties!”