Christmas in August???

As crazy as it is to believe, we are nearing the end of 2017. Seriously... we are half way through August!!! That means we have football season and holidays nearing! The most wonderful times of the year in my opinion... however...with that comes the logistical nightmare that is planning special events such as tailgate parties and holiday parties.

Now is the time to start planning (if you haven't already)! Here are a few tips from someone who has been organizing events for nearly 10 years:

Book early. Venues book up quickly for end of the year parties. If you do not already have a venue scheduled, start looking and making calls. Your date may need to be flexible, so pick a few dates that will work for you, and check the options.
Work Backwards. In order to get a timeline together, you need to work backwards from the date of the event. As an example, here's just one piece of the event planning pie... invitations... How far in advance do you want to send invites? How long will it take to print invites and get them posted? When is your artwork due to the printer? When do you need to start selecting/designing them?
Make a List. Brainstorm a list with every last detail you can imagine and add to it when something pops into your head. I typically revise my list several times as I go along and organize it by priority and/or deadline. This can include details such as signage, catering, welcome/check-in process, RSVP process, space layout, party favors/gifts, décor, etc. This will give you peace of mind to know that these details are covered. You can also save this list and use again in the future.
Don't sweat the small stuff. At the end of the day, the most important part is that your guests have enjoyed themselves. Frankly most people only care about three things: food, booze, and entertainment (which really could just be good company and conversation). So if your florist uses the wrong flowers, know that it is not the end of the world and keep rolling.

Of course, if you are swamped with other end-of-year projects, you can always call your good friend Meg to take this off your plate!! 😏

Note: No dogs were physically harmed in the making of this blog. I cannot confirm or deny the harm done to one's ego. (Just kidding! She weirdly loves clothes!)

Comments

C'mon, Man!!! Prime Example of Why Social Media Policies are Important

Eeep! I have thankfully been busy, but I just realized my last post was several weeks ago. For shame, Meg!!! I figured I am way overdue on putting my two cents out there again. So here's a juicy little story that recently came out regarding a community figure and his personal Facebook posts, but there's a definite twist, which clearly illustrates the importance of having clear, defined social media policies for your organization and employees. My very own, "C'mon, Man!!!" On Tuesday the Baton Rouge ABC news affiliate WBRZ issued a story regarding a Facebook post made by an Ascension Parish Sheriff's deputy. The deputy shared a meme, which made a statement on riots and those who protest the national anthem. In our grossly polarized political and social climate, we all see it all of the time and typically roll our eyes or chuckle or choose to engage to support or oppose it. Clearly among his followers is someone with a strongly opposed view,...

Graphic Formats: Part II - Vector File Formats

As I explained in my last post , vector images are created mathematically by using formulas to create an image that can be enlarged or reduced with no loss of image quality. The picture shown illustrates a vector graphic. Even when enlarged, the image keeps smooth edges. I also explained that y our logo should be initially created as a vector image, and you should have a copy of the original file even if you cannot open it. The programs to create vector files, such as Adobe Illustrator, may not be available to you, but at some point you may need to make a change to the file, and most designers can use this file to make those changes. Common vector file formats and their uses include the following: · AI (Adobe Illustrator) – This is the software that most graphic designers use to create your design or illustration (as the name would suggest). This design tool is the easiest to manipulate (should you kno...

Whoooo are you??? Who? Who?

Importance of Your Brand Entrepreneurs are popping up everywhere. It is a fact that the millennial generation is creating nearly twice as many new businesses as baby boomers, and it seems that working for yourself is becoming the dream. I know it was for me! In recognizing this trend, I then started noticing the lack of guidance in branding or lack of branding all together. Next time you are making a purchase decision, take a step back and analyze your process. What is making you disregard one option over another? Did you know that people make purchase decisions from the limbic center of the brain? (Meghan, you nerd... what in the ham sandwich is the limbic center of the brain?!?!) The limbic center of the brain has no capacity for details, facts, or statistics. This part of the brain manages your feelings and emotions. So despite how much great information you may offer about your proces...