Signage: Vintage- and Billboard-Style Displays
New York-based event designer David Stark says vintage- and billboard-style signage, like a glowing marquee, is still a popular trend that will carry over into the holidays.
Photo: Courtesy of David Stark
In January, City View Loft in Chicago celebrated its grand opening, which was co-hosted by Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event, with a “Carnival of Venice” theme. Mask-adorned guests were treated to live performances by aerialists, fire dancers, and burlesque-style acts.
Photo: Courtesy of City View Lofts
Turkey lollipops stuffed with homemade stuffing and dried cranberries, drizzled with cranberry reduction, by Riviera Caterers in New York
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Activities: Old-Fashioned Carnival Games
At the Color Invasion event, presented by the International Interior Design Association’s New York chapter, held at Center548 last November, guests tried their hand at old-fashioned carnival games at the big-top-theme party.
Photo: Ted Schafer
Waitstaff: Costumed Servers
At a holiday party produced by New York's Great Performances last December, costumed waitstaff served truffle mac ‘n’ cheese in mugs.
Photo: Amanda Gentile
Food: Mask-Embellished Cupcakes
The City View Loft grand opening also featured mask-embellished cupcakes.
Photo: Courtesy of City View Lofts
Gifts: Practical Favors
At the City View Loft party, guests got to pick and choose hangover cures to take home as practical favors.
Photo: Courtesy of City View Lofts
Photo: Courtesy of Zen Arts
Stilt walkers from Forms in Motion roamed the party.
Photo: Courtesy of Groupon
Chestnut-encrusted filet mignon topped with pumpkin mousse displayed on an indoor barbecue with dry ice, by Riviera Caterers in New York
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
Dressed in white and decorated with glitter, the dancers were meant to resemble "snowflake princesses," according to Martin. Trisha Star Productions handled hair and makeup.
Photo: James Harris
Equipped with glow sticks, employees danced along to the live set.
Photo: James Harris
Mini turkey sandwiches with cranberry jam, by Boutique Bites Catering and Events in Chicago
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash
For its fourth annual holiday party, Chandelier Creative sent out hard-sided, three-dimensional invitations that painted a whimsical picture of the agency's playful shenanigans and also showcased its portfolio of work over the year.
Photo: Courtesy of Chandelier Creative
A series of costumed mascots, including a kangaroo, parrot, shark, and rabbit, greeted guests with signs announcing different aspects of the party—including the silent auction benefiting the New Museum.
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com
For a $5 fee (proceeds benefited the New Museum), guests could partake in an adult-themed peep show erected in what is normally the agency's library. Four "interns" provocatively posed behind a specially constructed room, Xeroxing their unmentionables while writing Christmas cards and sifting through piles of books.
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com
Belvedere Vodka, a party sponsor, stocked the two bars in the main party room with ample liquor. Like the female servers, the model bartenders were dressed in skimpy white outfits.
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com
Organizers chose to create a nightclub atmosphere for their holiday party, unlike the more formal gatherings of recent years.
Photo: Ryan Joseph Photographs
Servers passed hors d'oeuvres like Thai glazed salmon nocco (created by Domenic Chiaromonte of CaterTrendz by TLV) on trays made out of parasols.
Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash
The planners also provided a cardboard cutout of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Photo: BizBash
The holiday party also made use of the rink's terrace and provided a tent adjacent to the rink as an additional indoor area for drinking and mingling.
Photo: BizBash
