The term “myth” is defined as “a traditional or legendary story,” “any invented story, idea or concept,” or, maybe the best description, “an unproved or false collective belief that is used to justify a social institution.”
With the holidays coming up and people in the midst of planning their parties to celebrate, I felt the need to address some falsities that many of you likely have heard or even circulated yourself. (Shame, shame.)
Before you follow any such unproved collective beliefs and use them to justify your next social affair, check out my list below and see which of these myths sounds familiar to you…
Myth 1: “You shouldn’t focus too much energy on the decorating or activities.”
Busted: Why this is false? While guests do indeed come to enjoy the food and your company, décor sets the tone of the event! Don’t discount the importance of having the appropriate placement (and amount) of accent pieces to create the ideal atmosphere for your occasion. Your guests will notice, and the right organized activities can lead to great memories.
Myth 2: “Don’t stress too much about working with everyone’s schedules. It’s just too hard; you should pick whatever date you think works best and go with that.”
Busted: This is why it’s best to plan adequately far in advance in order to make sure guests can attend your holiday event.
*You will reach a point when you have to make the executive decision and pick a date; however, you should work with those whom you want in attendance and try to coordinate with them to make sure they’re able to be there. Be courteous of your guests’ schedules and start planning with plenty of time to be flexible.
Myth 3: “You need to invite an excessive number of guests in the likelihood that some won’t even show up.”
Busted: Particularly for a personal holiday party at which dinner will be served, you should only invite as many people as you comfortably can fit and feed. The goal should be to ensure you get most all of your desired guests there, so plan around that. Know realistically how many people you can host and work with that number.
Myth 4: “You know what you want for this event; go with that vision and just make it happen. Worry about costs later.”
Busted: Bad. Idea. Preparing a major meal for a large group of people leads to expenses that add up quickly. You will need to plan it out and get creative to avoid feeling like your settling or sacrificing quality. The last thing you want is to be looking back at the receipts afterward, realizing how much you spent, and wondering if it was really worth it. Don’t let your holiday meals and parties be tainted by dollar signs and regrets! Strategize in advance and be smart with your budget.
Myth 5: “Don’t worry about having enough food; there will be enough! In fact, we usually have leftovers.”
Busted: You know what happens when you assume…
It’s CRUCIAL to make sure you have enough food for all in attendance. If you are hosting a potluck style meal, you should confirm who will bring what item/dish, at least a week beforehand. Organize a sign-up sheet so everyone can keep track of responsibilities and expected quantities. If you are making the entire meal yourself, be sure you have an accurate guest count and know how much to make of each dish!
May your events be merry and bright this holiday season, and may these myth busts help guide you in the event planning process!
Cheers!
