Want to have a New Year’s Eve or New Years Day Party? It’s not impossible to do –even at this “very last minute”! It’s just knowing how to put this all together. Whether you are a pro at having parties or a novice, we have tips to make this New Year’s Eve (or New Year’s Day) event an event to be remembered for it’s fun, festive atmosphere as well as less work for you overall. It’s YOUR party, you deserve to have fun too!
I have been lucky enough to score a guest blog from one of Southern California’s great special event & catering companies, Anoush Catering! Anoush Catering works with some of the most stellar and in-demand venues for all kinds of events (professional and personal). This post is written by Ani Keshishian – Director of Human Resources, Anoush Catering. She has contributed to this blog before on key elements to selecting a venue for your wedding.. The company is kicking off their 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY by sharing their favorite NYE party planning tips that include cost-efficient options for food, drinks, decorations, creative table design, and more.
It’s time to close the season with the main event of holiday parties, NEW YEARS EVE, and many of you may be hosting your own. But don’t stress, we’re providing you with tips to, “Host a GLAM NYE Party on a Modest Budget!” We here at Anoush Catering are kicking off our 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY by sharing our favorite NYE party planning tips that include cost efficient options for food, drinks, decorations, creative table design, and more.
Anoush Catering is a premiere Los Angeles–based catering house, and with years of experience hosting events ranging from weddings and anniversaries, to corporate events, and more, and a legacy of clientele spanning 30 years, we’ve positioned ourselves as top–notch event specialists that tastemakers turn to for planning their most important parties.
Our sister company, LA Banquets (http://labanquets.com), is also home to seven of the best event spaces in the city, so we’re more than qualified to host events from top to bottom, and every service in between! That said, grab a pen and paper, and take notes. You’re one-step closer to hosting an amazing, yet frugal NYE party!
NYE Planning, Decor, & More That Won’t Break Your Bank!
INVITES:
Avoid purchasing cards, envelopes, and postage fees by sending your invites online with free services. A few of the best we recommend include
Evite (http://www.evite.com),
Paperless Post (https://www.paperlesspost.com),
Punchbowl (http://www.punchbowl.com),
Pingg (http://www.pingg.com).
Or, for the social savvy planner that’s glued to their laptop and iPhone, send your invites via Facebook, which allows you to organize guests, responses, and RSVP’s.
DRINKS:
Rather than spend money on various bottles of alcohol, which is costly, make a punch bowl (or pitcher) cocktail using only one liquor such as vodka, and use plastic martini glasses to sass up your cocktail design. Add bling by covering your glasses in gold glitter. Also, don’t be afraid to mix metallic colors for a bolder look. Gold and silver work perfectly with each other! You can also create a signature cocktail for the night; that way you only need to buy liquor for that one main drink.
Additional Tips:
If you don’t think one signature drink is fitting for your guests, then create two-three specialty cocktails using the same liquor (we suggest Absolute Vodka [http://www.absolut.com/us/], everyone generally likes it, and it’s less expensive), with a few different mixers, and garnishes. Whatever you choose to do, pick up plenty of soda water, and various juices to widen the selection with creative options for those mixers.
Drink Recipes and Ingredients:
Roses are Red Martini
Vodka, rose water, strawberry syrup, splash of grenadine, topped with champagne and garnished with a cherry.
Sweet Tarts
Vodka, cranberry juice, 7 Up , dash of grenadine, topped with a splash of pineapple juice, garnished with a cherry.
Blueberry Giggles
Vodka, blueberry schnapps. 7 Up, dash of triple sec, topped with champagne, garnished with floating blueberries
Sparkling Wine
Wilson Creek Almond Champagne
FOOD:
Your spread doesn’t need to include a bottle of Dom, paired with your finest caviar. Simple, basic, everyday food options go a long way, especially with the right garnishes, table design, and decor. Keep the menu healthy so guests aren’t weighed down. This is Anoush Catering’s (http://www.anoush.com/) specialty, which is a Mediterranean inspired menu that keeps guests satisfied with delicious, and light food options.
Fresh vegetables, marinated mushrooms, smoked salmon, carrot salad, and hummus is just a few signature items ideal for this occasion. Other recommended items from Anoush Catering that are light include chicken satay, Chinese chicken salad, caprese, cheese platters, and shrimp cocktail.
>You can also mix in your own home cooking by preparing some of the small bites mentioned above with a potluck party, it won’t only save you money, it will also save you time. Last, dress up the table and food up with cute napkins, cotton linen, and plastic silverware, all of which are cost efficient choices.
TABLE DESIGN:
You invited a lot of guests, but don’t have space at the table? Rather than rent furniture, line up smaller tables side by side, covered with linen, to create the illusion of one long table. Your guests will never know since it’s covered with a long table cloth, and everyone will be able to enjoy their meal while sitting together.
>Also, add fun to your seating arrangement by personalizing it with Polaroid (http://www.polaroid.com) photos of your guests indicating where they will sit.
>Use a runner for a layered look to your table. Crinkle it up to create the illusion of depth, and spread it across the table accordingly.
>Create a layered visual (centerpiece) by using what’s in your cupboard to build height. Stack items with glasses or teacups so the table appears more festive, and full. You can also place food and drink on these different levels.
>No need to purchase holiday decorations when there’s plenty to use from what you have at home. Use decorations from previous years to liven up a room! You can also get creative by getting fruit from your fruit bowl to use as centerpieces. Add a touch of class by spray-painting the fruit gold for a bold, chic visual.
>With money saved from avoiding other costs, you can now allocate that towards flowers, which is an inexpensive way to add elegance. Choose an appropriate color palette for the occasion, such as a cream and gold arrangement.
>Ditch the paper plates in an effort to eliminate another expense, and use what you have in your kitchen. If all the plates don’t match, that’s ok. Create a color scheme by using 2-3 different colored plates from what you already have in your kitchen. Or, use different styles and colors of plates to create an offbeat, quirky, kitschy theme.
> If flowers are prohibitively expensive, skip them and decorate your table with greenery while purchasing fresh herbs for recipes at the supermarket. Stock up on extra herbs that you can use for the table, and once the party’s over, you can also use them for leftovers. Herbs and plants don’t only add an element of organic yumminess; they also make the table smell great! Instead of spending money on fancy napkins, use dishtowels that you already have in your house. Just throw them in the washer and dryer, and iron them to create creases for a formal look.
AMBIANCE:
Create a serene space with candles and scent. If you don’t have enough candleholders, use glasses from your kitchen. You can turn those glasses upside down as a stand for pillar candles too.
—
Ani Keshishian,
Anoush Catering
Bio: Ani Keshishian – Director of Human Resources
“When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor… It’s to enjoy each step along the way.”
As the Director of Human Resources at L.A. Banquets, Ani has assembled a close-knit team that keeps the business operating smoothly. In addition to the business’ success, she places high value on each employee and has established an environment that fosters personal growth. Ani embraces her personal motto, “the best attitude is gratitude”, in several charities and actively participates in the SAK Foundation, a charity established by her family to better the lives of impoverished children. She has recently bridged her charity work with her professional career by founding the Charity Outreach Division at L.A. Banquets which focuses on the local community’s wellness. Ani earned a BA in Psychology from USC and an MBA from Woodbury University.
ABOUT US
Anoush Catering:
Anoush is a premiere catering house based in Los Angeles, and with years of experience hosting events ranging from weddings and anniversaries, to corporate events, and more, and a legacy of clientele spanning the past 30 years, the company have positioned themselves as top–notch event specialists that tastemakers turn to for planning their most important parties.
L.A. Banquets
L.A. Banquets owns the most luxurious and elegant event spaces in the Los Angeles area. Home to Brandview, Glenoaks, Le Foyer and Galleria Ballrooms.
SOCIAL LINKS
Anoush Catering Social Links (@AnoushCatering)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnoushCatering,
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anoushcatering
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anoushcatering/,
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/anoushcatering
LA Banquets Social Links (@LABanquets)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LABanquets,
Twitter: https://twitter.com/labanquets,
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/labanquets/,
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LABanquets
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/labanquets
Thank you to Anoush Catering & LA Banquet’s Ani Keshishian for her timely piece that shows you can really put together an amazing party for very little money and still have it feel luxe and fun!!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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