Imagine being a guest at your own holiday party. You’re relaxed, feeling festive, and rather than cleaning and cooking, you spent the afternoon taking a bubble bath.
Does it sound like a dream? A party planner can make it a dream come true.
Marilee Karamanski, owner of Planned Spontaneity in Madison, says people often sabotage their own parties by getting too stressed out. “My ideal client is someone who
wants to have a celebration but they’re stressed out about
something they don’t want to do.”
To eliminate that stress, Karamanski is promoting three holiday party packages this year. The first one
is a Christmas caroling party for 20. She provides appetizers, cookies and a song leader. And she’ll hire housecleaners for both before
and after the party, if you’d like.
The family holiday dinner package for 12 includes a cleaning service, party set-up, linens and a personal chef who comes to your home to cook the meal.
A cocktail party for 30 includes gourmet appetizers and desserts, a portable bar and a licensed bartender.
Besides the packages, Karamanski offers help in other ways. She’s collaborating with an interior designer who can do anything from creating a centerpiece to trimming your tree. And a landscape designer will hang all your outdoor holiday lights.

“My services are completely flexible,”
Karamanski says. For example, she will help for just a few hours during your party. “I can do coordination at your party and be on site to keep it running smoothly. You can be the hostess who enjoys her guests rather than running ragged in the kitchen.”
With the economy being tight, Karamanski says her services will appeal to those who normally might travel to a nice resort for the holidays. “This year, people aren’t wanting to
travel,” she says. “So we’re offering a fabulous time at home without the stress.”

DIY
If a party planner isn’t in your budget,
don’t despair. You’ll still have the energy to enjoy your party if you keep your decorations and food simple, but elegant. Lisa Kerr, who worked in Los Angeles for several years in the
movie industry and now owns Flora Container Gardens in Madison, shares her holiday open house ideas that involve no cooking and very little
errand-running.
For décor, Kerr suggests several identical floral arrangements.
“Choose one elegant flower, like a
white lily, and use clear glass vases filled with water and fresh cranberries,” she says. “Have your flowers delivered
to your house a few days in advance
and put them in the vases so they can open up.
You can put the cranberries in the water then, too.” To complete the décor, set out many white tea lights.

For food, “have a cold-cut tray delivered from your favorite deli, with everything precut,” says Kerr. “Order cases of wine and have that delivered, too.”
Kerr says that having as much as possible delivered a day or two ahead of time can really help hold down a host’s stress level. “The
day before, while you’re cleaning your house, you can accept deliveries,” she explains.
To round out the menu, Kerr says to pick up wheels of brie and an assortment of other cheeses. You could also serve purchased
phyllo pastries that only need to be warmed in the oven. In several spots around the house, set out bowls of cashews and honey roasted walnuts, plus bowls of dried cranberries.
Don’t forget to put a small spoon in each bowl and have plenty of small napkins nearby.
For sweets, Kerr suggests nice cookies or petit fours from your favorite bakery.
“The idea is to have everything small and bite-sized,” Kerr says. “Keep it down to a few choices.”
If you’re short on wine glasses, vases or tea light holders, consider renting. “You can rent just about anything from A to Z RentAll,”
Kerr says.
Add some music and friends, and enjoy your party!

CONTACT OUR EXPERTS

Marilee Karamanski
Planned Spontaneity LLC
446-0346
www.plannedspontaneity.net
Lisa Kerr

Flora Container Gardens
lisakerr@sbcglobal.net

Madison writer and editor Debra
Illingworth Greene enjoys hosting
a holiday brunch or two.