How to make a party first impression

So remember when I told you to not overdo it with themes? I take it all back. There is nothing better than a themed entry presentation. When guests come to your home, greet them with a statement piece that gets attention.

Ok…here’s an example: you’re walking through a department store and you find a couple of really cute nutcrackers. You decide – Hey, I’m having a party. Let’s grab those and do something fun with them.

Here are the how to’s:

1_Find a great table or use your entry table if you have one.

2_Make the theme item (nutcrackers) the center of attention. If you want them higher, use books, boxes etc. to elevate the object(s). It is so important that scale is prevalent in every presentation. Variation in height among your elements adds depth to your statement piece.

3_Put your artificial greens down as the base around your nutcrackers.

4_Fill in with fresh greens for authenticity.

5_Determine what else you can arrange with that object that would tie in with your theme. For example, nutcracker = nuts. Hey…I’ve got it! Grab a bunch of nuts and throw some nutcrackers and bowls out so people can hang around the table, crack, and eat the nuts, and wala!

6_Tie on some ribbon and bows to add some holiday detail.

7_Watch everyone say, “Wow, this is so cool” (so easy)!

Now, don’t go looking for over-sized nutcrackers – you can come up with your own great ideas:

A candy bar for fun

A great centerpiece in a unique pot or sculpture

Clocks for a “it’s time to party” party

Look around your house or make a trip to the store and you will find all kinds of options. First impressions last the longest, make them great!