SMART EVENTS- JUMP START THE HOLIDAYS
Author: Mary Micucci
October 2007
Features
In Los Angeles, Santa is as likely to arrive wearing baggies and riding a surfboard as donning a red suit and driving a sleigh. But, while he may take on a local character, the underlying iconography of jolly old Saint Nick is universal.
In fact, even broader than differences in popular culture, L.A. is a huge melting pot of traditions and cultures (not to mention cuisines), the most of any city I’ve ever seen. Here Christmas and Hanukkah coexist with holidays like Kwanzaa and celebrations like the Winter Solstice. Which means that holiday event planning can be a sticky wicket and the concept of being politically correct, exceedingly important—a situation meeting professonals are often faced with this time of year.
BRIDGING CULTURES
So, what can planners do to incorporate all these traditions into a holiday event, yet provide the warmth and glow of the season?
I have found there are many uniting factors about the holidays that transcend cultural differences. The most significant is that all celebrate good will, renewal, reflection, love of family, getting together and the giving of good cheer.
From a planning perspective, we use elements of these aspects to develop into decor, food, sounds, smells and textures. For example, you can convey the tight-knit culture of your small company or association board as an intimate private-home gathering. This allows the host (your CEO or president) to present the event with his/her favorite foods and decor, using personal holiday treasures. Or, for large corporations with a lot of diversity and cultures, you can focus on more general aspects of the season: comfort foods, holiday greenery and garland, snow and glow lighting.
SETTING THE SCENE
Working as an event planner for Hollywood film premieres for the past 30-plus years, I believe that events need to be full sensory theatrical productions. It’s our job to set the stage for a customized experience. For example, we suggest:
• Choose a beautiful restaurant or site and dress trees you’ve provided in lights
• Customize invitations out of textures of the season, like pine needles and faux snow
• Design movement into the event that keeps guests from sitting for long periods of time (such as food stations or music in another room)
• Arrange for costume rentals or period overcoats for guests
• Host (motorized) sleigh rides and, if families are invited, bring in reindeer for the kids to pet
Invite your attendees with simple store-bought cards, handmade or three-dimensional custom-printed expressions: remember that they set the tone for the entire event.
Staple holiday decor elements we use include the creation of a dramatic entry with lots of garland, florals, pin lights and faux snow. I love the use of wreaths, which symbolize renewal in any language. Dimmed lighting is a must, and provides a cozy atmosphere even in the most cavernous of spaces. A warm feeling is really created by the use of lots of glowing and scented candles, and if there’s a fireplace, a soft fire.
For lovely table centerpieces, fill footed glass bowls with holiday ornaments and scatter votives in colored glass holders down the center of the tables. Gifts for guests—the traditional goodie bag—are always appreciated and might be in the form of fanciful placeholders, personalized miniature stockings, candy canes, tiny wrapped packages or a CD compilation of seasonal music.
Holiday colors can be more than ruby, gold and emerald: We like to add bold tones like tangerine, sapphire, violet and fuchsia into the mix.
THE CARE AND FEEDING
When it comes to food, my advice is not to skimp on the gourmet aspect of menu choices. It is, after all, a season of generosity. But if your budget doesn’t allow for an entire menu full of delicacies, choose a handful of stunning favorites and build your event to support each of them. You might choose cultural holiday favorites, like tamales, a Latin American favorite; stuffed cabbage, loved in many Eastern European countries; or a dramatic trifle dessert from the U.K. Duck is a lovely specialty that we like to serve, along with culturally neutral dishes such as turkey, ham and stuffing.
Develop a specialty beverage to complement your menu, such as a peppermint martini garnished with a mini candy cane or a cranberry cocktail topped with a skewer of frozen cranberries and a lemon twist.
When it comes to desserts at holiday events, if I’m not producing a show-stopping croquembuche or other custom delight, I follow my standard “Holiday C’s” formula: cookies, candies, coffee and cocoa. These are wonderful treats for any holiday party; other sweets specific to a certain religion or culture can easily be added.
MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC
Consider adding entertainment—live or recorded—which is always about celebration and joyousness this time of year. It might range from something elegant like chamber music, vintage or contemporary dance choices, or classic Christmas songs and carols. Music can help you celebrate different traditions by filling different rooms with a totally unique sound. Personally, I am fond of holiday compilations by Harry Connick, Jr., Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand, as well as more recent CDs by Michael Buble, the Brian Setzer Orchestra or LeAnn Rimes.
All this being said, keep in mind that the holidays are about creating a good feeling. Also consider who your client or your attendees are, and what their culture considers fun or celebratory. Look for themes that bridge gaps of difference and focus on the commonalities of humanity. I promise you can’t go wrong.
