I am planning a party for allthe Ladies at work, about 40 in all. I need some help with the decorations and of course the food. Can anyone offer me some advice. thanks dee

-- dee (abbysnanna@hotmail.com), November 07, 2001

Answers

Get ahold of the latest issue of Country Living magazine. (Sold everywhere). Lots of cute ideas and recipes this month.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), November 07, 2001.

Do you need luncheon food?

Here's my chicken salad: chop dark chicken meat (picked off the bone), a couple hard boiled eggs and onion in the food processor so it resembles crumbled pate. Add salad dressing, salt and pepper, curry powder, chopped celery and grapes (or chopped apples).

Potatoe salad is inexpensive and always appreciated. Decorate nicely with paprika and green pepper.

You can always do fancy stuff--but I find the old standbys are still king!

For decorations: Pretty, small, weighted gift bags with a helium balloon tied to the handles.You can get bags to match the theme (cows, celebration, etc..)

Looking forward to hearing all the ideas!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 07, 2001.

Perhaps you could even ask someone local if they could "cater" or make up all the foods for you and deliver them !! Sometimes it isn't that much more in dollars to have someone do all of the cooking so you can enjoy your party. Just limit a dollar amount when you tell them...as mentioned before ...check out the magazines and the TV shows...Martha Stewart etc...for decorating ideas. It doesn't have to be fancy...just a friendly atmosphere and fellowship. The most important thning to remember is to ENJOY !!!Also think about a gift exchange. Have each one bring a gift in the dollar amount of say... $5 to $10 a gift. Or even better yet... !!!....bring gifts for children of all ages and deliver them to the local woman's shelter or Toy for Tots or whatever is local to you. That would be a wonderful gift for others !!! Christmas is for enjoying each other and giving to others....Merry Christmas !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), November 07, 2001.

flavored coffee and tea is always a nice treat - or how about that hot apple cider drink with the cinnamon sticks & cloves?

-- Pat (mikulptrc@aol.com), November 07, 2001.

A good thing to add to mulled cider is caramel. Just by the topping in the squeeze bottle for ice cream and pour into hot cider. My sister first had this in Aspen and now has us all hooked on it. It's like a caramel apple in a cup!

Also, decide on a theme first. Plan food and decorations from there. Is this for Thanksgiving, fall or Christmas. This makes a difference when deciding even food.

-- Ivy in NW AR (balch84@cox-internet.com), November 07, 2001.

Any of the warehouse stores like Costco have fairly inexpensive party platters, if you want a minimum amount of fuss, and no worry about keeping things warm.

You might want to borrow an extra crockpot or two if you are doing the hot mulled cider thing.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 07, 2001.

What fun! I love to entertain and have lots of Christmas decorations. Most are homemade or purchased after the holiday seasons.

Food can be easy--just make sandwich trays w/ meats--a fruit & cheese trays. Do flavored teas hot and cold.

Gifts can be as easy as purchasing inxepensive ball ornaments and write their names on them or just 'Merry Christmas', 'Happy Holidays""think snow!" ect. tie a ribbon or raffia into a bow at the top , place in a country basket and give to them as they leave.

Decorate w/ natural things--pinecones, nuts and fruit. Spray paint twigs gold or silver and use a arrangements.

Gather holly, evergreens and place under the serving platters. Dim lights and use candles--even if it's at lunch. Place a mixture of cinnamon, clove and water in a tea kettle and simmer for at least 1 hr. before they arrive.

Don't forget the bathrooms and hallways when decorating!

Hope you enjoy it!!!Happy Holidays!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 07, 2001.

Your budget is the first thing you need to think about

Check your local thrift stores for Christmas serving pieces and Christmas mugs, buy a few boxes of flavored teas, and a few boxes/ bottles/bags of cinnamon sticks, buy a tin of cookies. Place a couple tea bags, a couple cookies and a cinnamon stick in each mug. You can wrap with colored cellophane, if you want. Here you have a gift and a beverage all in one.

Finger foods that aren't messy are your best bet. Small sandwiches are always appropriate, and they can be very elegant looking if you trim off the crust (save the crusts for your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey stuffing) and cut into triangles or rectangles. Chicken salad, tuna salad, and if you want to get fancier, a 1 lb package of imitation crab meat will make a lot of small sandwiches, when made into crabmeat salad.

Depending on the weather, a small crockpot filled with a gallon of chocolate milk makes a nice beverage. Buy small candy canes to place in each mug. (for an adult, evening party, peppermint schnaps is a nice addition)

In dollar stores, you may find nicely decorated, inexpensive fingertip towels (smaller than hand towels). Place these instead of napkins, and let your guest bring them home (they aren't gonig to get THAT dirty!)

A big clear bowl (punch bowl or similar) filled with tinsel tree garland and small colorful ornaments makes an attractive centerpiece.

In the household products aisle in the grocery store, you can find multi-pacs of small, glass-container candles in Christmas scents. A few pine branches on the table with some of these candles and maybe a few pine cones and ornaments, look very pretty. Turn the lights down low if you can, even if it is the middle of the day.

good luck and let us know how it works out!

-- MissJudi (jselig@clemson.edu), November 12, 2001.