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Holiday Party

September 11, 2013
27. Warming Cocktails
27. Warming Cocktails

“The signature cocktail is the ‘Winter Warmth’—a blend of Belvedere vodka, sweet vermouth, milled cherry juice, and eggnog froth with a dusting of nutmeg and a star anise garnish.” Cocktail from Shiraz Events in Miami, New York, Los Angeles and London

Photo: Courtesy of Shiraz Events
I’m a fan of holiday cookies. They help fill up the empty stomachs of drinkers. These are from Great Performances in New York.
I’m a fan of holiday cookies. They help fill up the empty stomachs of drinkers. These are from Great Performances in New York.
Photo: Josh Tierney/Great Performances
2013 Holiday Party Trends: The Focus Is on the Food…
2013 Holiday Party Trends: The Focus Is on the Food…
When it comes to divvying up the budget, food is undeniably a priority at holiday parties—and it better be good. According to the BizBash and Seamless survey, 60 percent of companies spent more than $25 on food and drink per employee. Thanks in part to TV programming, people are more educated about food and therefore more aware of what they’re eating. Translation: A generic, one-size-fits-all banquet won’t cut it. “I expect that this year we’ll see an even bigger demand for food to be taken to the next level—clients want to excite and wow their crowds,” says Andrea Chinea, the catering sales manager at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. But that doesn’t mean guests want caviar and filet mignon—rather, they’re expecting event organizers to work one-on-one with chefs to develop a custom menu that emphasizes fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal fare. “Because of shows like Chopped and Top Chef, and because people are more familiar with high-end dining, everyone eats differently now than in years past,” says Nathaniel Neubauer, owner of Contemporary Catering in Los Angeles. “Event guests want to have the experience that they would at a favorite restaurant,” he says. “They want to know the story behind their food and where it came from.” Pictured: Chef Nathaniel Neubauer of Contemporary Catering in Los Angeles says that house-made sausages, charcuterie, and cheeses will be popular at holiday parties this year.
Photo: Christopher Todd Studios
2013 Holiday Party Trends: The Lavish Dessert Table Is Out
2013 Holiday Party Trends: The Lavish Dessert Table Is Out
“Before the recession, parties would have extravagant dessert stations, but now some companies are economizing by offering guests a boxed dessert and to-go coffee in branded cups at the end of the night,” Accomando says. “It does double-duty as a favor and gives guests the chance to reminisce about the event when they’re eating the treat later at home.” Takeaway desserts can also be creatively worked into tablescapes as a design element to liven up tables and save on the decor budget. So what will companies be boxing up when it comes to desserts? Cupcakes are decidedly over. Instead, expect to see whoopie pies, macarons, gourmet marshmallows, doughnuts, pie slices, or berry crumbles in portable containers. Pictured: The Sweet Escape Patisserie can package up its snowmen macarons for events in the greater Toronto area.
Photo: Courtesy of The Sweet Escape Patisserie
An easy D.I.Y. centerpiece: Fill a Mason jar with water, greenery, cranberries, and a ­floating candle.
An easy D.I.Y. centerpiece: Fill a Mason jar with water, greenery, cranberries, and a ­floating candle.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Wolfgang Puck Catering recommends a hot chocolate station, where guests can add items including flavored marshmallows, cherries, malted barley, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.
Wolfgang Puck Catering recommends a hot chocolate station, where guests can add items including flavored marshmallows, cherries, malted barley, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.
Photo: Courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering
At the suite's opening-night event, Pure Kitchen Catering provided catering and Toni Patisserie and Cafe brought in seasonal treats. Linzer Torts were served on trays decked with the sheet music for Christmas carols.
At the suite's opening-night event, Pure Kitchen Catering provided catering and Toni Patisserie and Cafe brought in seasonal treats. Linzer Torts were served on trays decked with the sheet music for Christmas carols.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
Pure Kitchen Catering prepared champagne-cranberry spritzers and rosemary-infused sparkling water. A white tray of cranberries and rosemary spruced up the drink station—and provided a subtle, holiday-friendly fragrance.
Pure Kitchen Catering prepared champagne-cranberry spritzers and rosemary-infused sparkling water. A white tray of cranberries and rosemary spruced up the drink station—and provided a subtle, holiday-friendly fragrance.
Photo: Maypole Studios Photography
57. Cardboard Deer
57. Cardboard Deer

“One wall holds multiple recycled-cardboard deer heads, with a single red one for fun.” Micro-Buck Deer Trophy, $13, from Cardboard Safari

Photo: Courtesy of Cardboard Safari
To highlight its upcoming movie Northpole, the Hallmark Channel created Christmas in July at a private residence in Beverly Hills. The event, produced by Along Came Mary Events, featured a dessert buffet table beneath dozens of sparkling crystal chandeliers in the grand ballroom.
To highlight its upcoming movie Northpole, the Hallmark Channel created Christmas in July at a private residence in Beverly Hills. The event, produced by Along Came Mary Events, featured a dessert buffet table beneath dozens of sparkling crystal chandeliers in the grand ballroom.
Photo: Sean Twomey/2me Studios
Food: Classic Holiday Dishes as Bite-Size Hors d'Oeuvres
Food: Classic Holiday Dishes as Bite-Size Hors d'Oeuvres

Downsize a favorite holiday dish into a bite-size hors d’oeuvre. Brett Galley, director of special events at Connecticut-based event planning company Hollywood Pop Gallery, suggests pork tenderloin with bacon and caramelized onion marmalade on a crostini.

Photo: Courtesy of Hollywood Pop Gallery
Activities: Cookie-Decorating Stations
Activities: Cookie-Decorating Stations

A cookie-decorating station turns adults into kids, says New York event designer David Stark. He recommends providing guests with blank ginger or sugar cookies in various shapes, along with a bar of edible decorating items.

Photo: Courtesy of David Stark
Entertainment: Walking Snowflake Tables
Entertainment: Walking Snowflake Tables

Walking, talking snowflake tables greeted visitors at the Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend headquarters, which was sponsored by Hollywood Pop Gallery.

Photo: Courtesy of Hollywood Pop Gallery
Decor: Storybook-Inspired Details
Decor: Storybook-Inspired Details

San Francisco-based Blueprint Studios planned a corporate holiday party in Menlo Park, California, last December that took inspiration from popular stories, such as Snow White and The Polar Express.

Photo: Courtesy of Blueprint Studios
Bar: Icy, Mirrored Features
Bar: Icy, Mirrored Features

Serve guest icy cocktails from behind the six-foot Diamond Mirror Bar, $595, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental. 

Photo: Courtesy of Designer8 Event Furniture Rental
Food: Embellished Croquembouche
Food: Embellished Croquembouche

An embellished croquembouche served as an eye-catching display at the Hallmark Channel event.

Photo: Sean Twomey/2me Studios
Invitations: White Ink on Mirrored Acrylic
Invitations: White Ink on Mirrored Acrylic

Square holiday invites from Allie Munroe are silk-screen printed on mirrored acrylic in white ink for a frosty touch. Pricing is available upon request.

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash
Decor: Ornaments as Centerpieces
Decor: Ornaments as Centerpieces

Ornaments added glitz to the decor at a Hollywood Pop Gallery-produced event.

Photo: Courtesy of Hollywood Pop Gallery
Furniture: Wintry White Leather
Furniture: Wintry White Leather

The Kane Chair, $179, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental offers an elegant seating option in wintry white leather.

Photo: Courtesy of Designer8 Event Furniture Rental
Signage: Playful Chalkboard Lettering
Signage: Playful Chalkboard Lettering

In January, Vertigo Sky Lounge in Chicago held an opening-night party with a fire and ice theme that used playful chalkboard signage.

Photo: Courtesy of Vertigo Sky Lounge
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