wow factor Archives - Impressions

1. Make-ahead meals and no cooking required appetizers
2. Planning a workable menu and advance preparation
3. Decorate for less
4. Setting up for success
5. Get what you really need

This time of year, it is easy for spending to get out of control. I always want to have the best experiences but am constantly looking for the best deals or ways to get a little more value with the least amount of effort. This week’s holiday entertaining secrets are all about creating that WOW factor for less — decorating for less and making your place look great with the least amount of work. Check out the other secrets to de-stress your holiday here:

Make-ahead meals and no cooking required appetizers
Planning a workable menu and advance preparation

5. Simple Decorating for Centerpieces

Fill clear vases with a variety of inexpensive items you may even already have: extra ornaments, ribbons, candles, even candy. If you want flowers, think floating a single bloom, a tight bouquet of one bloom like carnations or even spruce tips. Choose clear vases that can be used for multiple uses any time of year and change the colors of the contents to go with the occasion/season.

(Use extra ornaments for easy centerpieces)

(Think outside the box, these wine glasses are perfect simple vases)

I also love decorating with food. It lasts longer than flowers and we can usually enjoy it to look at and then eat it later.

(Decorating with food)

(a single bloom makes for easy flower arrangements)

(floating one large bloom like spider mums, Gerber daisy, sun flowers or open roses are also a good way to decorate with flowers for less)

6. Add Interest to Your Buffet

Think of the buffet as a roller coaster. If it is all flat it is not very fun or interesting. Add a few varied heights to show off the beautiful food. Footed platters and warming dishes are easy to add height. For regular platters, I love using empty egg cartons as risers. They are inexpensive, readily available and sturdy. Just cover them with an extra napkin or go to the fabric store and get some remnants that match your colors.

Be sure to test each platter if you have it on risers to make sure it is sturdy with people grabbing food off of it. Large or delicate items, leave on the table. Not everything has to be lifted, just raise one to three items to add visual interest for the table.

After all the planning, the food is eaten and guests say their good byes. At this point, all that is left are the memories. Those moments that you will never forget, the stories that you will share time and time again those moments are the memories that make our lives richer and keep the festivities living on.

So how do you create the best memories? How do you get people to talk well about the parties you host? It’s simple to make them feel welcome, special and have something unique.

Do your best to plan ahead. Create a party friendly menu or hire help so that you can have time to greet guests, make a few introductions and thank them for attending. As a host you will most likely know most of the guests attending so it is easy to be pulled in many directions. Make a point to have the focus on just your guests at the beginning and end of the event. All the food and beverages should be set just before they arrive so that you can welcome guests and then slip away for simple refills throughout the party.

Choose one thing to create a “wow factor”. Think about your guests and the experience you want to create for them. As they leave your event, what is it that you want them to say of their experience? What is it you want to be remembered for? What are those best memories you want to leave them with? Whatever that is, create a “wow factor” around it. Not everything has to be over-the-top and perfect. To be honest, some of the best memories usually come from things that go wrong.

Pick one thing to completely excel at. No one will remember if they drank out of plastic cups or normal glassware, but they will remember if you had custom crystal glasses. They may not remember the food but they will remember the perfect popovers or a unique sushi-making party. Simple candles are great decorations, but you could make a grand impression with beautiful, fresh flowers and stunning centerpieces. Or send them home with unique personal favors.

Pick one thing and do it very well, normal is normal, so think outside the box and do something uniquely you. It will long be remembered.

I truly hope you enjoyed the Summer Entertaining series with all the tips and entertaining secrets to get your next summer bash off to the great start. May every party you host, simple, grand and everything in between, be one that adds love, laughter and lasting memories to your life.

Summer Entertaining Series

The things you need to know to ensure summer fun for all:

#1 Food: easy, delicious and safe, read this before dishing up
#2 Relaxing Refreshments, don’t break a sweat keeping hydrated
#3 Easy Breezy, decorate with casual summer style for less
#4 Keep Your Cool, comfort is everything
#5 Party in an Instant, have these on hand to welcome guests at any time

One last tip: Keep a camera close by and use it often, ask a friend, or hire a photographer to capture the moments. Smiling faces make it easy to remember why we get together. I never regret taking too many photos and capturing the best memories of a lifetime.

Leave a comment! What’s your favorite party memory?

Pick up your copy of The Pretty Plate for more simple techniques and recipes, and learn about the five elements to make your everyday meals magnificent.

wow factor

10 Secrets to De-Stress Your Holiday, Part 3

5. Simple Decorating for Centerpieces

6. Add Interest to Your Buffet

Making the best Memories