Fortunately here are a few simple tips for our neighbors in Northern Virginia that will have the kudos coming your way without the stress you simply don’t need during this festive but hectic time of year.

1. Pick the right date and time for your party.

When selecting an event date, make sure it doesn’t fall too close to the holidays or run into conflicts with your employees’ or friends’ religious observations. Timing is everything with any party, but particularly around the holidays when so many activities are crammed into just a few weeks.

Consider a date early in the holiday season, before folks start filling up their calendars. And be sure to send out invitations well in advance with a prominent RSVP request and a deadline.

2. Choosing the ideal location

For smaller office parties, consider:

• Would it be convenient to host the party in the office during the week, or would you like to invite the office to celebrate at your home during the weekend?
• Will it be kept to office staff only, or will you encourage employees and clients to bring their families?

For a larger corporate gala, here are a few things to consider when choosing a venue:

• Is it convenient to the office and where your employees live?
• Is there plenty of parking?
• Does the management have experience in event planning?
• Do they have a good reputation? (We can make a few suggestions if you’d like).
• Do your employees have any ideas or preferences? (Ask them).

For a party at your home, think about the following:

• Do you have room to accommodate both the people and the food in your home?
• If you want to invite a lot of people, should you just serve appetizers and finger foods and do you have places around your home where you can distribute platters of food and beverages so folks can get to them easily?
• If you want to have an actual meal, do you have a place where your guests can eat comfortably and do you want everyone to eat together and in the same room at the same time?

3. Try adding a theme this year.

Perhaps your business had an exceptional year of growth or you’ve launched a new product and want that reflected along with a holiday theme. You might also use the event to hand out special awards or make an announcement about the past year or the new year ahead. (Again invite your employees to make suggestions. Make it their event in a very real way.)

If your family has a traditional time and place to come together for the holidays, you can still add a distinctive touch to each year by incorporating a unique theme to your decorations and menu choices.

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  Consider adding hor d’oeuvres that your guests may not see at another holiday party this year like hummus with warm pita bread or falafel bites with tahini sauce.

• Consider featuring menu items made with fresh ingredients from local farmers. Serving a variety of wines and craft beers from local Virginia wineries and breweries is certain to be a hit! (We’re big on fresh and local.)
• Instead of serving predictable sugar cookies, opt for a different choice of desserts that include trays of mini Italian cannoli and traditional baklava.
• Decorate with wreaths and garland from your local Christmas tree farm, trimmed with holly and burlap ribbon – you can’t beat the “traditional” look and your house will smell wonderful too!

4. Order the right amount of food.

One of the biggest challenges to hosting a party is knowing how much food and drink your guests will require. There are a number of useful charts that assist in estimating how much food is needed, but try to think back on previous events.

Make sure your invitations have an RSVP so you know how many guests you will be hosting. And going forward, keep track each year of how much food and beverage you ordered, how many people came, and how much food and beverage was left over.

While ordering too much could mean having leftovers for a few days, ordering too little can cut your party short. At Cafesano, we provide catering to groups of all sizes in Northern Virginia and we’re happy to assist you with ordering just the right amount of food so you can minimize the chances of over- or under-ordering and ensure your guests go home happy!

5. Order the right types of food.

Many people have food allergies and dietary restrictions and you’ll be a hero if you provide menu items that take this into consideration. If you’re hosting an intimate party with friends and family, you probably know everyone’s preferences. However, for larger parties, we recommend you select menu items that cater to a variety of diets.

Keep vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free diets in mind as you plan your menu. Cafesano Catering in Northern Virginia has a wide selection of dishes that can satisfy almost any need. From our popular Salad Bowls and Panini & Wrap Platters that include vegan and vegetarian selections, to our gluten-free catering selections, our Catering Coordinator will work with you to create a customized menu that will insure your event is a hit for all your guests!

Catering Your Northern Virginia Party

This year, simplify your holidays and consider using the services of a local caterer in Northern Virginia. Cafesano Catering in Reston, VA will make sure planning for your event is simple and hassle-free.

Online ordering, and delivery services, as well as a large selection of fresh, flavorful and healthy menu items, make Cafesano Catering the perfect choice for your holiday party. Let us take care of the food so you can concentrate on making sure your guests are having fun. Who knows – maybe you’ll actually enjoy the party yourself!

Cafesano Catering, providing catering services in Northern Virginia for over 6 years, makes holiday party planning simple with catering services for both intimate house parties and large corporate events.

Choose from a flavorful and unique assortment of Italian and Mediterranean menu items. Contact Cafesano today and we’ll help you start planning your upcoming holiday event in Northern Virginia.

What dish are you most looking forward to at your next holiday gathering?

The post Tips for Planning a Holiday Party appeared first on Cafesano.

It’s party time!

Well, actually, it’s party planning time because if you want to do something spectacular for Christmas or New Year’s in Sterling VA, you should start planning now.

Not sure where to start?

Just follow these tips to make your holiday party a big success.

How to Plan a Stellar Holiday Party in Sterling, VA

Decide on a theme

You don’t have to do a themed party, but if you choose to, start picking a theme right now so that your guests know how to dress and you can stock up on the themed décor.

Here are some of the popular holiday party themes in Sterling you could incorporate (or feel free to try something new and untraditional – The Elf party, anyone?)

• An ugly sweater party
• Candy canes or gingerbread
• Glam party: crystal, gold, silver and sparkles
• Winter wonderland
• The Grinch and Whoville

Choose the date and order invitations

You know how busy holidays get with all the gift shopping, decorating, cooking and celebrating. The earlier you set the date for your Sterling party and send out invitations, the more people on your guest list are likely to attend. If you can, discuss the party dates ahead of time with your closest friends and family to make sure your party plans don’t overlap.

Are formal invitations really necessary?

You could successfully invite people in person or via social media. However, printed invitations add a personal touch and often make it to the fridge door. This means they will serve as a constant reminder and the recipient is less likely to forget about the important date. Besides, it’s an easy way to track the RSVPs and makes for a cute keepsake.

Clear the space

Unless you live in a mansion or have turned your basement into a “party central,” entertainment space in your Sterling home is probably tight. Figure out how you can shift furniture to make it easier for people to move around, mingle, grab a bite, dance and rest.

Consider moving everything fragile, sharp or unstable out of the way. You know your home like no one else. You know when you step on this one floorboard, the entire bookshelf shakes or when you turn around this corner too sharply, you can stub your toe on the edge of the end table.  Your guests, however, don’t know any of this, so it’s a good idea to eliminate things that can cause injury.

Go for easy food & drinks

Parties are fun, but who wants to spend hours cooking and then hours cleaning up? Besides, it’s not like you are planning a sit-down dinner: your guests expect drinks, snacks and yummy finger foods, so don’t overthink it.

Catering is often the way to go – it’s inexpensive and definitely beats the store-bought party platters. Order freshly-made dips, wraps, pizza or wings – who doesn’t like those? Just don’t wait till the last minute because most caterers get very busy during the holiday season.

Also, when it comes to the party food, it’s better to have a surplus than a shortage. Plan to accommodate everyone who RSVP’d, those who forgot and those who show up with a party of five instead of the agreed-upon “plus one.”

As for the drinks, offer a variety, but avoid spending the entire night behind the bar with a cocktail shaker. Opt for self-serve punches or single-serve bottled drinks.

Set the mood with holiday lights & music

You probably already have your holiday décor in place, but it doesn’t hurt to add something extra for the party. Strategically place Christmas lights to illuminate points of interest, create ambiance and add to the holiday spirit. If you plan on using candles, opt for the flameless variety to reduce the risk of hot wax spills, burns and fire.

And don’t forget about the music. Think your playlist through to make sure your guests are either familiar with or can relate to the songs. It helps mixing up traditional Christmas tunes like “Jingle Bells” with modern party songs. Make sure you have enough tracks to play without repeating – the last thing you want is guests trying to hook up their iPhones to your stereo to play their latest dub-step finds.

Iron out the details

It’s all about the “little things” – right?  Here’s a checklist to help you remember even the smallest details

• If you live somewhere where winter is cold and snowy like Sterling, think about where guests will place their coats. Renting a coat rack might be a good idea. Also, have a backup plan in case a blizzard rudely interrupts your party.
• If there are smokers among your guests, designate a smoking area, especially if you maintain a non-smoking household.
• Decide if you want guests to bring their kids. If so, come up with entertainment for them and some kid-friendly food options.
• Prepare guest bedrooms for guests that stay for the night.
• Think about the parking situation. If the driveway is tight, encourage guests to carpool. For especially large parties, consider having someone run a shuttle between your home and the nearest local school or church parking lot.
• If you own pets, figure out where they will stay during the party, especially if they are the kind that takes the first chance to run out the door when it opens.

Settle on the party favors

Of course, party favors are not necessary but it’s the Holiday Season and a small gift is always a warm and pleasant surprise and a nice way to say “thank you.” Especially consider giving something to your guests if they contributed a dish to your menu or a bottle of wine to your bar.

Party favors don’t have to break the bank and if you are a crafty one, feel free to DIY. And put some thought into the presentation as well. Here are a few ideas:

• Christmas ornaments
• A totem of the year according to the Chinese calendar
• Yummy baked goods
• Scented candles
• Decorative glassware

So, what is your holiday party going to be like this year? Have you been planning it since last January? Share your tips and ideas below.

The post Your Easy Guide to Holiday Party Planning appeared first on Cafesano.

Let’s face it: a holiday party is probably the last thing on your mind right now as you’re trying to wrap up this year’s business and meet your company goals. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still plan for a holiday party.

Although some preparation is necessary, it can be a fun and stress-free process.  Just follow these easy steps to organize the perfect business holiday party, one that will be talked about and fondly remembered by your team for years to come.

Settle on a venue

This dilemma can be easily solved by hosting the party right in your own office space. This especially makes sense if you run a small or mid-sized business. You’ll save a significant amount of money not having to rent a room or hall at another facility – more to spend on food and entertainment!  Your employees won’t have to sit in traffic and you can get the party going earlier. And any holiday decorations you put up can be enjoyed by you and the rest of your team for the entire holiday season!

If you do decide to hold the party off-premises, take a minute to think about your personal and professional networking connections. Maybe one of your clients has a large conference or convention facility they could offer at a discounted price? Maybe your office building has a penthouse or empty office space you could rent for one night? Take advantage of your existing business connections and be sure to invite your colleagues to the party.

Rethink the entertainment

Planning to hire professional entertainers? Stop and think about this for a second. While you don’t want the party to get boring, traditional entertainment, such as hired musicians, illusionists, and other performers, might not be the best way to go.

An office party offers the perfect opportunity for your employees to spend some downtime getting to know each other a little better. Consider the kind of entertainment where your employees can interact with each other and become a part of the “entertainment” instead of being passive observers. Here are a few ideas:

• Have everyone decorate a holiday tree
• Set up an ornament or gingerbread man decorating station
• Build-a-(name it) shop where employees can design gifts for each other
• Have an award night to celebrate your company’s growth over the past year

Additionally, you might want to consider having entertainment provided by your own staff if they are up for it. The chances are good, they have many talents you don’t know about. You might have a talented singer, musician, dancer or comedian in your midst. Provide them with an opportunity to take the stage.  Not only do you get free entertainment, but also a chance to improve the company morale and shine the spotlight on the unknown heroes who are the backbone of your business.

Book catering in advance

Holiday party catering is crucial to the success of your office party.  Don’t ask employees to participate in a potluck.  It might sound like a good idea, but your office party should be a time for your employees to relax and enjoy themselves. You are better off placing a catering order with your favorite local restaurant – a place that everyone knows, loves, and frequents.

At Cafesano, we receive many requests for holiday party catering throughout Reston, Herndon, Tysons Corner, Great Falls and other locations in Northern Virginia. Our advice to our customers is to finalize and place your holiday catering order well in advance since the holiday season keeps caterers busy.

 Here are a few tips to keep in mind while planning your  catering menu:

• Offer a variety of menu items so you’re sure to cater to even the pickiest eaters. Don’t forget to offer some vegetarian options.
• Dips, such as a hummus dip or Baba Ghanoush, make great appetizers.  Add some falafel and grape leaves for appetizers that are different and healthier than your usual cheese and cracker trays.
• You can’t go wrong with platters of wraps and Panini. They’re easy to pick up and eat and if you select a variety of fillings, you’re sure to satisfy everyone’s flavor profile!
• Pasta dishes are always a winner – they’re filling and who doesn’t love pasta!  Pair it with a simple Caesar Salad and nobody will go home hungry.
• Keep the food warm with the help of disposable chafing pans and fuel cans. Your caterer is likely to carry these items (at least we do), so ask them!
• Everyone eats too many sweets over the holidays – and gets tired of them fast.  Keep the desserts simple with small mini bites of baklava and assorted cookies and brownies.

Don’t forget about the decor

You don’t have to go all out on the décor but do have something festive. You could ask employees to decorate their own cubicles, desks, or offices to set the holiday mood. A little greenery goes a long way – consider incorporating wreaths and garlands.  Poinsettias – red and white – in gold-wrapped containers are a festive addition and will dress up your buffet table.  If you can fit an artificial tree somewhere in the office, that would be great as well. When the party starts, think about ditching the fluorescent lighting and switching to holiday lights or LED candles.

Make a difference

You could tie your office party to some special cause to make it even more meaningful. Do a raffle, or a fundraiser, or ask your employees to donate clothing, food, or other items to a local non-profit that will distribute them to families in need.

Do you have a good or bad experience planning an office party? Please share your insights in the comments.

The post 5 Steps to Planning an Office Holiday Party That Rocks appeared first on Cafesano.