Scott Common Sense Community is an online destination where users can exchange tips and advice on life’s everyday challenges. In the month of November, Scott Common Sense Community is all about Holiday Festivities with tips on getting organized for every occasion, decorating on a dime, and Thanksgiving dishes you can make ahead of time. Share your best holiday entertaining tip in the comments section below and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Visa Gift Card to put towards you Thanksgiving dinner! And don’t forget to leave your tips at www.scottcsc.com!
Winner MUST be a USA resident. $100 VISA gift card will be mailed to the winner directly from the company. Winner must leave a holiday entertaining tip. Winner will be chosen by random.org on November 19th, 2009 from all valid entries. Winner’s name will be posted on this site on Nov. 20th, 2009. Winner will have 48 hours to claim the prize, or another winner will be chosen. NO EXCEPTIONS! There is an unlimited number of comments each person can make, but all must be different, cannot use same tip more than once (from same entrant). Each comment must be made separately for them to count as more than one.
I am excited and cannot wait to hear your tips!!!
Thank you for entering and Good Luck !!!
The Plus Size Mommy
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If you want to redecorate your home for the holidays but not spend too much money, purchase a red or green slipcover for your sofa.
If you have pets, keep holiday guests who have pet allergies in mind (I’m an allergy sufferer). Clean your home as best you can to get rid of pet hair, and consider keeping pets in a locked room or at a family member’s house during your holiday party.
Set the right mood. Decorate the room in seasonal deep reds and forest greens. Use candles and a fireplace to set the mood of serenity. Pick background music that is soothing and sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
Consider having a party theme. How about a Victorian Christmas, or Charlie Brown Christmas?
You could also invite guests to come dressed in Red and Green, or for a unique spin, invite guests to dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus, or as elves.
Host a buffet or potluck meal so that everyone can bring something. Those who can’t or don’t want to cook can lend a centerpiece or other decorative item.
Make your party really festive by going out caroling around the neighborhood.
If you’re serving fruit trays or fruit salads, try apple slices, orange slices or wedges, melon cubes, grapes, canned pineapple, and cherry or grape tomatoes.
If you’re serving raw veggie trays, try baby carrots, celery sticks, sugar snap peas, broccoli, and cauliflower florets.
TIP: For a party, send invites via email as e-vites, it will save on paper by sending out paper invites, and it’s just as effective!
TIP: Instead of buying all of your holiday decorations, try making some! We like to make our own ornaments for the tree, you can even trim the tree with things other than store bought tinsel – try stringing popcorn, or using shredded colorful construction paper. Let the kids help, they’ll love it!
Invite guests by phone or e-mail to save time — and always request a reply, so you know how much food to order.
In order to have an entertaining party, try and invite people who have something in common. It will be easy for conversation to start and keep flowing when people have things to talk about.
Think of party games and other ways to break the ice and create a warm and festive atmosphere. Have everything needed for party games and icebreakers ready in advance.
Create specialized areas and break up the buffet into smaller stations, such as a station for drinks and dessert.
Add special touches such as mints in the bathrooms.
Try a simple spritzer for a non-alcoholic alternative for your holiday get together. Combine equal parts cranberry juice, white grape juice, and sparkling mineral water into a punch bowl.
Another tip: Plan to most of the work done a day or two early so you can get into the holiday spirit and relax with your family and guests.
For easier clean-up, send guests home with the leftovers.
To decorate your table, use a lace tablecloth and glass jars with naturally green and red items, such as cranberries, olives or red grapes.
If you’re using candles, put them in the freezer a few hours before your dinner. That will help them drip less.
To add sparkle to a table, use a framed or unframed mirror for the base of the centerpiece. Round, square or rectangular will work, depending on the shape of your dining room table. Top the mirror with candles or ornaments.
Fill a large decorative bowl with mercury glass ornaments and use it as a centerpiece.
TIP: Make meals and freeze them, it makes it easy when you have impromptu visits from guests and you need extra servings.
This isn’t exactly a holiday entertaining tip but I think it is something everyone should do during the holidays…do you know an older person living alone or even a couple that has no one to help them during the holiday season…invite them to your house or at least make some plates & bring them over…so many older couples that are suffering hard times don’t even have a special dinner during the holidays & this means a lot
plb8156@aol.com