This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Practical Party Planning Tips from a Pro

Celebrity event planner Samantha Goldberg shares her money-saving ideas for hosting your holiday party.

When the holiday season returns each year, many of us are faced with the daunting task of hosting home gatherings for family and friends. This year particularly, those who have been deemed the party-planners may be discouraged by the added challenge of conserving money as they prepare for their festivities.

But fear not! Television personality and celebrity event planner Samantha Goldberg has tips and tricks to turn even the most basic get-together into something memorable.

With a little creativity, you'll find out how you can spice up your annual party and still have enough money to buy Christmas gifts for everyone on your list!

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"While the economy is maybe not at its best, it doesn't mean a celebration has to come to a halt," said Goldberg, whose event-planning business Samantha & Co. is located in Summit.

The professional event and wedding planner was kind enough to share the following tips with Summit Patch readers:

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"If you do the same thing every year, change things up for a different experience."

Instead of the same old spread across the dining room table, Goldberg suggests moving things to another part of the house. Long tables and ballroom chairs can be rented from a party store at a low price and can be arranged in front of the fireplace or Christmas tree for a seasonal setting.

For an alternative option to a traditional sit-down meal, surprise your guests by creating meal stations throughout the house, proposed Goldberg. A pasta station, for example, might offer various pasta varieties, sauces, and toppings which your guests can partake in assembling. Other station ideas include a fondue station, a wok station, and of course, a dessert station.

The station idea is a great alternative to the buffet because it's spread out and keeps people moving. It also prevents your guests from waiting in long lines, said Goldberg.

"It doesn't have to be expensive; you just have to be creative!"

Rental stores can also be useful when it comes to seasonal home decorations. A wide range of indoor and outdoor accents can be found at affordable prices, and party hosts will welcome the relief of not having to pack and store the items at the end of each year.

Goldberg offered additional easy and inexpensive holiday decorating tips to consider as you plan your next gathering. She encouraged readers to use nature and basic home pieces to set the mood.

Try collecting pinecones and natural sticks or evergreen branches to arrange on a tabletop. Find a decorative bowl in which to display the pinecones or a clear glass vase to support a bouquet of spindly sticks. If you're placing the items directly on the table, you can enhance the look by adding tiered pillar candles.

Another easy and classic option is to fill a glass cylinder with different colored Christmas balls.

"If you have a large family, and your family has outgrown your home…"

 …check out the local community center as opposed to organizing your affair at a restaurant. Instead of a tight gathering in your house, you can rent space at a local venue such as a Jewish community center or church.

"It's less expensive than going to a restaurant for 60 or 70 dollars a head," said Goldberg. Plus, you'll be able to invite more people with the money you save and the space you'll gain!

If you decide on entertaining at a local center, you can save time and money by purchasing a pre-cooked turkey, complete with trimmings at a local supermarket. Shoprite and Wegmans both offer full meal options at a fraction of the catered cost.

"If you don't ask, you don't get."

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of planning your party, don't forget about your holiday gifts!

Goldberg offered an overlooked money-saving trick when hopping from store to store. First, research the deals and holiday sales at the shops you commonly frequent. Then, visit those businesses on December 23 or 24 and ask for the sale prices a few days before the sales officially begin.

"Everybody needs to boost numbers," said Samantha. And you'll be surprised at what you might save if you just ask.

Store employees are educated about store sales and offers and if you're friendly, they can assist you in getting the best deals. "If you're nice to the store clerk, they'll be nice to you," said Goldberg.

And lastly, when shopping for that perfect gift: "One thing that you may want to think about is necessities," recommended Goldberg in light of the current economic situation.

"There's nothing wrong with having a second holiday party."

Especially around the holidays, it can be extremely difficult to find a date when all of your family and friends are available to spend time together. There's an added challenge if you're separated by city or state borders.

Goldberg's solution is to hold a second party, or to consider having your gathering a day or two after the holidays. Who wouldn't mind partaking in two feasts? And if you plan on an off-peak date, you'll have ample opportunity to save with post-season deals.

***

Samantha Goldberg is a celebrity event and wedding planner who has over 18 years' experience in planning celebrity, corporate, and private affairs. She has contributed her professional expertise to such programs and publications as the Style Network's "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?," Good Morning America, In Style Weddings, The Wall Street Journal, and Cosmopolitan, among numerous others.

Goldberg is the "celebrity spokesperson" for Hilton Hotels and was just recently named one of the chapter presidents of the Wish Upon A Wedding Organization which grants the wishes of those with terminal illness to marry the ones they love.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?