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ecember is high season for parties but this year, whywait to get invited to a New Year's bash when you canthrow your own? If you're intimidated by the thought ofhosting a New Year's Eve party, remember this: Nature

has provided the perfect backdrop; everything else is incidental.

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"Florida is the place to be, especially forany winter party," says Charity Plaster,owner of A Charmed Event, a party planningbusiness whose clients include residents from

all across the Tampa area and beyond. "First,there's the weather-no snow or blizzards

to worry about. People can wear their partyclothes and party shoes and not have to coverup with huge parkas, scarves, boots, hats andgloves," Plaster continues.

"Then there's the laid-back, vacation 24/7

lifestyle. People tend to think 'party, fun andvacation' when they think of Florida-even inwinter. There's also a tremendous amount ofresources. What do L.A. or New York have that

we don't? Florida is overflowing with fantasticbands and entertainment, luxury hotels, worldfamous chefs and five-star event planners ...anything is possible here!"

Lori Randall agrees. She and partner Jessica

Meiczinger own Tampa-based party planningcompany Simply Divine Events and have acombined 15 years worth of experience incoordinating everything from lush weddings toextravagant fundraisers.

"What's great is that there are so many venuesto choose from," says Randall. "Everything fromelegant ballrooms to venues with scenic views ofgardens and the beautiful gulf and bay. And theweather is always sunny and warm, so peoplecan make a vacation out of it."

Are Themes Your Thing?Themed parties are a great way to make asplash when planning a holiday party. Simplychoose an idea-say, Caribbean night under thestars-and carry it through from food and musicto decorations and invitations. Serve Jamaican

jerk on skewers and margaritas in frosty glasseswhile Calypso music plays in the background.

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F~~ ~ET'ios:'it. /

•l$ PI\l!lndhead for guests that may be tooJ;!';; !

intpxicated to drive home.• Ct6te a budget and stick to it.• Gi~ guests plenty of advance notice.

• Me eacH guest personally as they arrive.• Cre,ae "stations:" food on one table,

drirt~s on another, dessert on a tHrd.

• Hire '~n event planner to take care ofthe de:ails.

• Relax \nd enjoy yourself!

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Encourage guests to wear their funkiest Bermuda shirtsand kicky Capri's.

Of course, the ultimate themed event is a combination

wedding/New Year's Eve Party that will surely stick in theminds of your guests for years to come.

"The combination of a New Year's party and a weddingcan be very exciting, but can also be a little tricky,"says Anita Boeth, owner ofparty planning service BoethProductions in Tampa. "Themajor factor is usually cost.Venues tend to have higher foodand beverage minimums forNew Year's, and the weddingwill usually last longer thana typical wedding reception.In the past, I have planned anormal wedding reception soas to not lose the focus of the

bride and groom with the 'afterparty' becoming the New Year'scelebration. You can switch from

a wedding band to a high energyDJ, have the bride and groomchange into more casual clothingand introduce an early morningbreakfast buffet after the stroke of midnight."

Not planning on getting hitched to ring in the New Year?That's okay. Plaster says, "Hosting a party on New Year'sEve tends to be its own theme. People are anticipating thebig countdown to midnight, and they love having playfulfavors and noisemakers. I have seen many people who aregenerally not 'party people' really let loose and go a bitcrazy on New Year's Eve!"

Splurging On a BudgetAfter the gift-giving season ends, it may not be financiallyfeasible to host a pull-out-all-the-stops bash. It's possible,however, to keep things simple yet fun without blowingthe budget. If you want to splurge on one thing for theparty, Randall and Meiczinger recommend getting greatentertainment. "New Year's is about celebrating and havingfun, and you want everyone to have a good time-maybehire a great local band. "

Plaster says getting the most bang for your buck is"definitely a tie between food and music. No matter whatthe event, the guests always remember the food and music."Boeth says, "Splurge on good Champagne. It is the onebeverage that will not go unnoticed!" INDUSTRY'Sfavoritevalue/ quality compromise is Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut.

Even with a very modest budget, you can still throw agreat bash with a little bit of planning. "Decide on howmuch you want to spend and plan things ahead of time,"say Randall and Meiczinger. "This will give you time toprice things out and buy things in bulk. Decide what isimportant to you-food or decor or entertainment-and.base your budget off of that. Get creative: Make centerpieces

and decor yourself and haveeach guest bring a themed dishto cut down on your food cost.Another idea is to have a simplemenu; don't go overboard with afour-course dinner."

Boeth says scaling downthe affair can help keep costsfrom skyrocketing. "If youdo have a limited budget, tryproviding dessert, coffee andChampagne (but make a noteon the invitation that it is a

dessert party so guests don'tshow up expecting to be fed).Alternatively, have a Champagneparty where you ask gueststo bring their favorite bottleof bubbly to share. You can

also have an intimate dinner party with 10 of your closestfriends. Who says that bigger is better when it comes toNew Year's parties?"

Be a GuestNot up to planning and hosting a New Year's Eve bash?Then put on your best party clothes and head out to joinsomeone else's gala. Just make sure to RSVP early and takealong a bottle of wine, Champagne, flowers or another smallgift for the host. Don't bring a guest unless the invitationspecifies that you may, and leave the children at homeunless you know it's a family event.

Above all though, says Planter, just have a good time. "Aguest's greatest gift can be their presence at the event."

A Charmed Event - For more information, call 941.527.8120 orvisit www.acharmedevent.com.

Boeth Productions - For more information, call 813.671.8760 or

visit www.boethproductions.com.

Simply Divine Events - For more information, call 813.244.7110

or visit www.simplydivineevents.com.

22 industry [iJi'C:CMBCi1 JANUARY i 2007 i