Description

Better explores how to have a successful party at home, without breaking the bank or your back.

Transcript

Audra Lowe: Start with the party this new years if you feel in the economy’s pinch, why not skip all those expensive dinners and the fancy balls and actually just have a party at home. Its fun, it’s festive, it’s also a long less expensive than you might think. An ancient party at home with all your closes friends can be a great way to bring in the New Year. But planning a big party can be a little intimidating especially if you are in the budget. Karen Bussen: I plan of all sizes all the time but I also love to have parties at home and I think what’s stops me like everyone else is just that feeling that you have to over do it. And the fact is you don’t have to over do it at all. Audra Lowe: We made up with Karen Bussen Author of the book Simple Stunning Parties at Home for some tips on hosting great parties that are also easy on the wallet. Firsts up, help your guests feel at home the moment they arrive. Karen Bussen: Think that every great party host should have something to offer the minute the guests walking the door. So, I’ve just arrange some great little veggie tips and some cheese popcorn just inside along with my home bar set up here. So there is a little nibble to offer and the soon make it here. Audra Lowe: Next, set up a home bar with the couple of choices. Karen Bussen: I’ve set up a great home bar on my kitchen counter, it’s the best place in my apartment and I’ve organize everything so that my guests can serve themselves. Instead of setting up a whole full expensive complete bar I’ve chosen to serve two drinks. Since its New Year’s Eve I’ve got to have bubbly but instead of expensive champagne, I’ve serving persico which is actually it’s about $10 a bottle, it’s great for a party. And also with that what I like to do is collect funky champagne glasses. So you see I have mix and match champagne glasses that are great at the party because no one will ever loss there glass. And in addition persico I also like to have one fun signature cocktail, so I created the sowakin tinny and it’s made with sowak vodka, blood orange juice, wonderful pomegranate juice and a little splash of sparkling water. I also to add like a dash of lemonade to give it a bright flavor and what we did to just switch up the presentation is we took little baby martini glasses instead of the big martini glasses and we garnish with the raspberry and some colorful sugar so cheers to New Year’s Eve. I think it’s a great idea to have people serve themselves when you have your home bar this way, you don’t have to be the bartender. And what I like to do is from my signature cocktail, I made two pictures I keep one out on the bar and one chilling in the refrigerator so if I ever have to switch it out I would just take the second. Audra Lowe: A nice great of food can get your guests in the party spirit and this one requires no time on the kitchen we love that. Karen Bussen: The thing is you can create a wonderful party buffet without ever having to cook anything. Every single thing you see on this table is from the whole foods prepared food section. And we got some salty things; we’ve got some fresh vegetables that the healthy crowd it’s incredible. 12 mini cheese pizzas from whole foods 399, we’ve got calamari 599, all these beautiful tartlets for $6 so you can do it on a budget and you can make it look great. Audra Lowe: Lastly you keep left over supplies on him so that next time you won’t have to start from scratch. Karen Bussen: This is my party pantry and you can see I’ve collected great glassware, I’ve got plates, platters, lots of wonderful white unscented candles which are great for dinner parties and just other festive fun accents so that you start building a party pantry at home you will be ready to celebrate whenever the mode strike you. Audra Lowe: So this New Year’s you have the fancy over prize balls and invite your friends home instead for a perfect party that remember the whole year through. And don’t forget the music expert say; try combining traditional holiday music with new offerings from your favorite artist for a party sound track that ever body’s going to enjoy.