PARTYLETTER

Planning a Holiday Party for the First Time (Pt. 4)

2010-12-22T11:56:00.001-08:00

Christmas is our traditional season of thanksgiving and giving. Throughout the sixty three days from Halloween to the New Year many will prepare the best celebrations of the year. Hosting the holiday party this year may have you right in the middle of planning and execution.

All Recipes: Christmas Dinner Articles

This party is ready to feed the guests. The tables have been set and all that has to be done is the preparation. Timing is everything and when you find yourself six hours away from the first arrival you should be well ahead of the game. Hopefully you have everything you need or you have more time to plan. Some of the most requested items can be forgotten just because they are the most requested.

You may remember the most obscure food item for one guest but please remember the wine that everyone loves because everyone loves it and you're the only one who serves it.

Top 100 Wines of 2010 from Wine Spectator.

Hot foods hot and cold foods cold is the key to food service. Chaffing dishes can keep food hot using individual Sterno heaters that are easy to use. Ice chests can be hidden under tables. Having a source of cold and hot away from the refrigerator and stove is almost as important as plates and silverware for guests invited to a casual dining party where a buffet is served.

Food Network Christmas Dessert Menu

Waste management and lavatories well maintained and marked will assist you in managing the particulars. Preparing foods yourself will test your cooking skills but cooking makes some of us enjoy the party more. Cook if you can, experiment and explore your sense of style. Accept the movement of the party until everyone is there and then be a great host or hostess by knowing how to move from one segment of the event to the next if you are planning to serve food, cocktails and share gifts all in one night.

Holiday wine
Holiday food
Holiday dessert

Holiday cheer from the PARTYLETTER.

I'm going to visit my facebook profile next and then my twitter account to tell my friends what I just wrote and see what they have to say about it.

First-time Holiday Party Planning (Pt. 3)

2010-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

Everyone has to start somewhere. Party planning during the holidays is important to every host and hostess who sponsors a gathering because the energy is received all year long from the occasion.

You're on your way now but you need some motivation at the right time to go from a gathering of friends to something special. Inviting those friends to a carefully crafted home and hearth can be rewarding in more ways than you think.

So far your guests are invited and your home is decorated or planned to be decorated to match the season AND the event. You have the groceries on a list. Now is the time to organize everything to do with the food service of the guests.

Rooms with tables, chairs with side tables and standing cocktail hours all must be managed in a way that does not take away from the conversations and revelry being enjoyed.

Party rental companies will have every kind of glass and flatware you can think of for as many guests as you have coming. Selecting the right one will improve your chances of coming under budget as the planning progresses.

Table linens, napkins and screens. Centerpieces, lighting and sound. All the senses can be entertained and for the most successful gatherings all the senses are entertained. It IS the holiday season after all.

Have the experience or learn about the experience for yourself. Expect to pay for help if you want to be sure you get a good result.

Before inquiring an event planner you should learn how to get good information that you can use from websites and blogs like this. Learn it and then make it happen.

A first-time holiday host or hostess has the tools available for free, the budget you have to enjoy at your gathering will determine what you will offer. It does NOT determine the level of enjoyment of your guests.

Tomorrow we move away from the table and into the kitchen!

Party Plans

2010-12-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

The PARTYLETTER is a combination of real-world experience and creative design for the special events of our lives. Houston Banquet Planner has been creating distinctive parties since 1994 under the direction of Francis Damian Walsh.

Mr. Walsh has over 15 years fine dining and catering experience. He learned from Mr. Ronnie Berhmann of Maxim's Houston from 1994 until 2001 when the restaurant closed its doors forever.

Some of the elaborate designs can be seen here. The PARTYLETTER will be filled with content from party planners like Mr. Walsh with their tips for success and plans for fantastic parties.

Merry Christmas

Michelle Lee
Houston Banquet Planner.com

Hollywood Sweet Sixteen

View more presentations from Francis Walsh.

Houston Quinceanera Planner

View more presentations from Francis Walsh.

Houston Banquet Planner Corporate Services

View more presentations from Francis Walsh.

Decorating for the Holidays

2010-12-17T09:39:00.000-08:00

This year we have something special to be thankful for; our first home. This year our blessings were many and as the holidays arrive we are sharing more of ourselves with others inside and out of our new home.
Decorating for the holidays is up to you and your family traditions. Ours has always included warm highlights made inside and out; even when our house was much smaller. Now that our space has grown our ideas about decorating have changed as well. Our favorite decorating ideas come from tradition and knowing how to bring it all together is key to making spirits bright this Christmas season.

Christmas decorating was once not so much about decorating a space as it was a time of reverence to those who had come before and those who would come after. Before the celebration was holy is was holy. The observers of Christmas past decorated with reverence to the environment and some of those traditions still hold true today.

Our holiday presents, spirits and bows are spread among the green boughs of fir and pine. Garland hangs around the corner of our warm fire. The banisters that children will look through to catch a glimpse of ole St. Nick have them too.

We share in these traditions and in our home our decorations show the appreciation we have in the past and the future.

Our hallways have garlands strung over the doorways and more leading guests through the foyer and into the great room. Garlands can be freshly picked in the North East. Look for light green vines that run in great distances over the ground and under the fallen leaves of New England.

Imitation garlands can be purchased for reasonable prices at JC Penny and of course our favorite dollar stores. Getting to the stores first is sometimes key to getting as much of the green stuff as you need. Buy the garland in bulk and decorate later with Holly and berries of crimson.

Windows are great places to hang wreaths made of garland or fir. The choice for us was to hang them inside of the house instead of outside. The fresh pine aroma leaves our house smelling of the forest long after the cherry pie has cooled on the rack. Ribbons of red and bows and balls can be hung from a great window wreath and the theme can move from one window to the next; making the design complete.

Fireplace decorations can include wicker boxes filled with pine boughs and pine cones dusted with glitter. Silver glitter and glue dabbed on the tips of each cones arms make them shimmer against a fire of warm lighting.

Decorate with lights for the holidays. Christmas lights come in every color of the rainbow and then some. White lighting inside the home brightens up corners when the main lighting is dim. White lights around picture frames and mirrors give each design element a new feel. Holiday decorating yourself is easy when you combine a few elements into a cohesive design.

Fill a fresh tree with hanging decorations and lights that match the rest of the traditional fresh-cut design. Tip your hat to your neighbors and invite them over for some friendship this year. Be inspired enough to inspire others.

Let your inspiration come from your tradition and revere the season with your decorating effort. Enjoy the rewards of gathering friends and family together during the best season of the year. Use these tips throughout the house and make your spirit bright this year.

Thank you to 1800flowers on YouTube for this video:

First-time Holiday Party Planning (Pt. 2)

2010-12-16T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hosting your very first holiday party this year? If so these tips will help you to organize your thoughts and get you moving in the right direction. Hosting a successful gathering of family and friends for the holidays is an important event that comes once a year; make sure you have it planned out before the day arrives.

Set a date and keep it.

Now that you already have a list of people who you will invite and even have thought about the kind of foods you will be serving the next thing to do is set the date and begin inviting people to come.

With all the connecting we do through computers you can utilize some of these technological tools to make the process of inviting friends to your first holiday party should be easy. Deciding who needs to be invited through snail mail who does not will make it easy for you to decide on the type of invitation you will send. In today's society it is recommended that you invite people in the most convenient way for the guest to receive and reply to the invitation. Using a unique electronic invitation is as efficient as it gets. Inviting and RSVP can be handled quickly and easily using email. For family and friends who prefer a paper invitation, select the appropriate stationary and make sure they are delivered at least four weeks prior to the event.

Use technology to your advantage when preparing for your very first holiday party. You use these tools everyday and they can now be used to make parties even better. With all the invitations sent you can begin to think about how to decorate your space for the party. In tomorrow's post you will hear about decorating for a successful party and what you need that you don't know you need.

Here's a short Holiday Foods video from WholeFoodsMarket on YouTube:

Francis Walsh
Executive Event Planner
Houston, Texas 77002
Houstonbanquetplanner.com

First-time Holiday Party Planning

2010-12-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

This is the season for gathering friends and family together for a holiday party. The best reason to get together is to share the holiday spirit. One of the first things new families will do will be to host an event of their own. This year's suggestions are for just that purpose. Telling you first-time holiday party planners what to expect and how to avoid hosting a less than festive event this year.

First-time Holiday Party Planning to-do list.

Figure out who's coming. Don't let the masses fall into your lap unexpected. Never leave an open invitation to your first Holiday Party. You should know who is coming and when they are expected to arrive. There is nothing worse than arriving to a party that starts in two hours. I know because it happened to me.

Write a list of friends and family you want to attend at least two months before the party. Take time to write out invitations and have them delivered with at least four weeks to go. The you can inquire from those people who have received an invitation to discover their plans for that day. Make sure to keep track of the replies you receive and know where you stand. Deliver more invitations within the last few weeks to fill in any guests that said they could not come. Hosting a great party means you need to have people there to enjoy it. Plan for and arrange for the right amount of guests according to the space you have to host the party.

Feeding family and friends is as important as having family and friends.

Every holiday party should feature great food to enjoy while attending the event. While there is no need to have a schedule of events, it is important that the choices of foods relate to the gathering and the ability of the host. never try to cook something you never have cooked before for a first-time holiday party planner. The result could be detrimental to your good time.

Part two of first-time holiday party planning will be posted on December 16th 2010.

Read CARNE VALE (Mardi Gras, Carnival season is here) Rick Waters Carny Fiction

2010-02-08T09:06:00.001-08:00

The upcoming holidays are fast approaching.

Chinese New Year: Geng Yin (Year of the White Tiger) February 14th, 2010

Fat Tuesday February 16th (Mardi Gras)

Our favorite time of year is here. Not only do we have a new fiction titled CARNE VALE - Flesh Farewell, we also are fans of Geng Yin AND Mardi Gras. Next week will be spent celebrating just enough to be sure that we are really celebrating this year of prosperity and determination. "This year is the best year in a long time for an Aquarian born in the age of Aquarius. This year we say Farewell to the Flesh in the most symbolic and important festivals and celebrations of the year.

We welcome you to begin reading "CARNE VALE" and subscribing to the author of this and other great blogs online. The streaming information comes refreshed and uploaded daily via internet feeds, micro blogs, social networks, personal brands, and domains.

"Who Dat"

With the New Orleans Saints winning the Super Bowl, expect Fat Tuesday to extraordinary indeed. We will report from Bourbon Street all next week. Subscribers to CARNE VALE get special content directly from the author upon request.

FD Walsh

SUBSCRIBE TO "CARNE VALE"

Wedding Trends from Houston Banquet Planner

2010-01-28T06:40:00.001-08:00

Weddings change with the times. While important events of life will remain as long as there are loves and lives to follow, how we celebrate and share these perfect moments with our family and friends. The twenty first century has not only given us more people to share our lives with, it has given us new trends in planning and celebrating special moments. There is no special moment more important than our weddings, and this year the trend is for a wedding with sleek lines and geometric synergy.

As a wedding and event planner in Houston, the Houston Banquet Planner team of professional producers has been setting the trends, not just following behind the crowd. As more brides to be in Houston are becoming more tuned in to their own needs, they are twice as knowledgeable about the process and the demand for more amenities for their money. When a bride wants the best for herself and her husband, she means she wants the best and already knows what that means.

Top Ten Houston Wedding Requests

#1 Houston Wedding Venue
#2 Houston Fine Dining Caterer
#3 Houston Quality Entertainment
#4 Houston Couture Wedding Dress
#5 Houston Private Entertainment
#6 Houston Party Rentals
#7 Houston Fondant
#8 Houston Wine and Liqour
#9 Houston Food Service Employee
#10 Houston Event Planner

Top Ten Houston Wedding Upgrades

#1 Houston Limousine
#2 Houston Groom Cake
#3 Houston Dance Lessons
#4 Houston Decorations
#5 Houston Flowers
#6 Houston Hotel
#7 Houston Travel Agency
#8 Houston Family Restaurant
#9 Houston Jewelry
#10 Houston Airport

The Houston wedding planner that can manage all these request BEFORE even laying out the best way the accomplish the bride's goals can take advantage of the new trends in Houston weddings. Leading the way will be Houston Banquet Planner, with new social tools for bride's who want to connect with their Houston Wedding Coordinator on an entirely new level through digital presentations, electronic conferencing, and social media.

Houston Banquet Planner can step into any role that supports Houston events and productions that involve participants and attendees from micro parties to national and world-wide events. Experienced vendors, planners, venues, and experience come together at the right time, every time.

Feel free to contact Houston Banquet Planner right now, the task is at hand, and you need to be sure that you did all you could to make it the very best. - Francis D. Walsh

My Birthday 2010

2010-01-26T10:08:00.001-08:00

"My Birthday 2010 will be grand."

I don't know if you've noticed it yet, but everywhere you look there are happy people milling about. I can tell you that because we live in a nice little part of town where everyone is about the same. Happy to have kept our jobs and have more than others, especially those rich people who lost everything.

We seem to have a little more than we ever did, and if this year pans out like it should, then next year we might be able to move away from here for good. "But that's less about my party and more about life, so back to the party."

This year it will be hosted at our in-laws home. The headquarters for Team Nitrousfitz will be an excellent backdrop to the friends and family we have invited. "They all wait each year for an invitation and if we miss one, then all hell breaks loose so we just send out more than we really can expect to come." "That's how it goes anyways for us. "But we know how to throw parties already.'

"So where do we go for help on our own parties?" "We go to our friends in the business who are happy to give us what we need for each year's annual celebration of my birth." "Thank you to everyone who comes and lends a hand."

So we have the equipment and the linens ordered, the machines and music, the stage and the dance floor, the cups and plates and flatware, the host and the hostess, and all that... "But wait."

Who's got the food?"

What we usually do for our clients is to use the best regular vendors we have. That way we know what to expect and we expect a lot. What we don't do for the annual birthday of all birthdays is use any of our regular vendors. "Imagine that."

"Now is the time to find a reason to go over your list of vendors and find out who is really on top of their game. Who wants your business more than the other vendor and who will give you more for your money. "It's the principle that kept our business growing even during a down turn in the economy."

Our service is hot. Our parties are hot. Our vendors are hot. And it takes me, to make sure we are all hot together. "This is one reason why I invite all my regular vendors to the party so that they can see that our team is serious about event planning and we even go so far as to test the services we receive to be sure that our clients are not tested when it comes time to promote and produce an event for them. "Our clients come first, we come second, and our vendors have to be the best to keep our business.

The day of the event will be grand. All our friends will have a beverage and a bite to eat prior to the main meal. Our new list of vendors will be pre-screened and then menus and lists of equipment will be reviewed. Our guests will enjoy the party only half as much as me, and not just because it's my birthday but because I know that the whole day I get a chance to negotiate contracts and make new deals with my vendors during the event. "They wouldn't have known about my tactics if I didn't just write it all out here for you.

Check Out:

Powerfitz Publishing
Flesh Farewell Trilogy
Houston Banquet Planner

The Newest Domain from Powerfitz Publishing

2010-01-20T11:46:00.001-08:00

Geng Yin

2010-01-11T06:02:00.001-08:00

Gen Yin

I sometimes find myself researching myself. If anyone should know me as well as the internet does, then I decided I would like to know what the internet knew. The internet knows that I was born in January, 1968. The internet knows my address and my telephone number ("well it thinks it does anyways."), and its advertisers know what my preferences are better than me.

If I was an alarmist, I would be scared about how much those nasty advertisers know about me. If I were "average", I wouldn't have to really worry, would I? The average person spends 4 hours a week online, while I toil years away trying to figure out how to turn this keyboard into an ATM. If I'm not worried about those damn advertisers than really, why all the hoopla about who knows what?

This whining is brought to you by the government, who at this very moment is planning on inking the next set of advertising regulations that can place your private information in more danger than it is right now. The truth of the matter is, than when you have to sort through information to decide what is "right" or "wrong", you are analyzing that information more than any algorithym that produces your advertising results today. The idea is "progressive", and you should know that the government could be planning to overwhelm the internet so that they can "fundeamentally" change it. "It's what progressives do when they are hard at work doing what they do".

So who knows me the best? Me? You? The government? I can safely say "nobody" knows me better than my own natural profile of dates and times and the freekin stars, I say this because this year is Gen Yin, "The year of the White Tiger" and this year is the perfect year to get what I want the most, productivity that pays.

The Year of the Tiger begins on February 14th 2010. It is a metal year. and as the stars will have it, if you want to accomplish something big, then this is the perfect year to get it done. I know more about myself than I did before I started this morning, so here is my Chinese New Year Resolution for Geng Yin 2010, the Year of the White Tiger. I will create enough of my own content ot begin my personal library of fiction and non fiction books and articles that will continue to produce revenues long after they are written.

01/08/10 "Publishing will never be the same."

2010-01-08T22:08:00.001-08:00

"When the Shit Hits the Fan Which Way Will Your Fan be Pointed?" Private, On-demand content available now.

Powerfitz.com will host all the chapters of "Carne Vale - Flesh Farewell" plus the subsequent volumes produced by authors writing for Powerfitz.com. Our servers are designed for content produced for the web that is owned by the authors and copyright under the rules governing publicly branded orginal content. "The Flesh Farewell" trilogy will be available from the Powerfitz servers upon request, and will soon be ready for uploading onto any digital reader, Google document, or directly in your browser in website format.

"We welcome you to ask for the latest chapters emailed directly to your inbox. Subscribe to the original content posted here by sending an email to Powerfitz with "NEXT CHAPTER" as the subject so we know what to do with the request."

A Flesh Farewell Trilogy

2009-12-29T05:03:00.001-08:00

The author extends an invitation to read the first in a trilogy of Flesh Farewell fictional works from the new breakthrough writer Damian Walsh.

The virgin release of "Carne Vale" has been released on facebook to fans of fictional suspense and thrills. The first book comes out of the heart of New England, in the spring of life Rick Waters is heading for a fate much like his oldest brother Paul.

Rick Waters left town with a carnival to escape the sentence handed down on his twenty first birthday by a judge in Palmer. He was going to be free, but at what cost.

The district courthouse in Three Rivers, Massachusetts could be mistaken for a small Quaker church by anyone not familiar with its use. The courtroom is part of a single floor building with an entrance at each end and one entering the middle of the building off of Main St. When it was empty of defendants and police, judges and jurors, the courtroom looked like a sanctuary.

The presiding judge sits in a raised, legal pulpit, straddled by two lower tiers. On his right sat the prosecutor and on the left a witness chair. Below them, spanning the width of this legal alter, sat the clerk of courts. The defendants for the day sit in pews. Before the start of the day the clerk does a roll call of people in attendance to organize the cases and after each defendant had been ordered to comply, the clerk would call out another name until the list was finished. Halfway through the day they called out his name.

"Rick Waters"

He slid out of the pew. There was a mark on the floor where all the defendants would stand when their case was called. As he passed through the swinging door of the wooden railing that separated the courtroom from the gallery, it creaked its announcement at the arrival of the next offender. The courtroom would become quiet as each case was heard.

The judge continued flipping through his record as Rick stood in front of the altar. They were plenty of records to look through. The prosecutor's point of view was that it was time to send Rick Waters in for some real consequences. Her recommendation was that because Mr. Waters had not completed any of his probationary duties, there was nothing keeping the court from confining him to complete the two year suspended sentence handed down ten months ago by a visiting judge.

"Your honor, Mr. Waters has been in and out of this courtroom on misdemeanor charges involving alcohol since he was approximately sixteen." "His non compliance with the terms of his probation gives us no other option but to confine him for the remainder of his sentence up to and until he completes the terms of his confinement or he completes a program of alcohol and life skills while incarcerated."

After the prosecutor finished with her recommendation the judge spoke. He looked up from the files in front of him and into the eyes of the defendant to make sure that he understood what was happening and why he was here.

"I am revoking your probation Mr. Waters." "Due to your inability to meet the demands of your probationary sentence, you must now submit yourself to confinement in the Hampden county jail for no less than six months and no more than twenty four months." "That period of confinement begins the thirtieth of January and will continue at the jail on York St. until you complete your sentence in full or are released after successfully finishing the program of life skills and alcohol abuse counseling inside of York St."

"Mr. Waters I recommend that you get your things in order." "You have five days until your sentence begins, don't do anything stupid before then." The gavel sounded and it was then that suddenly, magically, his public defender appear, if only to usher him toward the probation office.

"You're lucky, usually they just remand people right off to jail." "Make sure to check with the probation office and pay your fee before you go." "And I don't have to tell you what will happen if you don't show up in five days kid..."

As soon as he walked out of the courthou se Rick knew it was time to get out of town or he'd spend his twenty first birthday in jail and his twenty second too.

"As the arrival of a new year is approaching fast, I have been working hard to include you into everything that is important." "Get ready to have special access to the content that Powerfitz will be producing in 2010, and for anyone who subscribes to our content, you will get VIP treatment from all of the Powerfitz Publishing brands."

Carne Vale Fan Page on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/fuzzywashere
http://www.powerfitz.com
http://netterreport.blogspot.com
http://www.houstonbanquetplanner.com
http://www.thesalescorner.us/blog/
http://holidayreports.blogspot.com
http://plantabulous.blogspot.com
http://awewriter.blogspot.com

How to Plan a Halloween Party

2009-10-07T11:29:00.001-07:00

Halloween is the first test of your holiday event planning prowess. As more families use Halloween as their 'family friendly' gathering, most Halloween gatherings have the fun, the food, and the guests, but many do not have the 'wow factor' a party like this deserves. If you want to learn how to plan a Halloween party like the pros, you need to think like a pro, and get the help of those local businesses that supply the best parties with equipment, services, and designs for any occasion, holiday or not.

Step 1

Get your guest list in order. The most wasteful thing you could do is plan for more guests than will actually arrive. imagine the bride and groom who pay for a reception of two hundred and only 75 guests arrive. Think of how much money goes to waste from such a little detail like guest count. Do not let your expectations get away with reasonable results. Know how many guests to expect and begin to plan a great Halloween party around that number to spend the right amount on a great event, but not too much.

Step 2

Plan a menu. Food and drink is what your guests rely on to get them in the mood. Great menu items, snacks, and drinks will keep your guests happy as they mingle through your other guests. Food and drink is what most parties are centered around. Whether its a full menu, a snack or two, or Halloween candy. The easiest way to let your party guests know you care is to provide them with high quality goodies and foods. Plan per head. Know your guest count. Move on to designing a visually exciting room or gathering space next.

Step 3

Design is in the eye of the beholder. Well, most of the time. If you are planning to host a party during the Holiday season this year, your guests will love you for it. Be ready, be smart, and be creative in getting the right decorations for the room, the tables, the chairs, the walkways, and the venue. Because the holidays are designed to party around, realize that your decorations can make the difference in having a good time and an absolutely fabulous time for your friends, guests, and family.

Step 4

Rent party equipment that enhances your menu, your design, or your guests. Drink machines, popcorn machines, table linens, and flatwear are things you will want to have. Can you afford to have them? Are you needing to design and decorate for a few or a few hundred? Think like a guest and you will be able to understand what your guests really want when they attend this season's holiday parties.

Step 5

Make a schedule of important dates on the way to the event. Mark each one off as they are crossed. Keep track of the budget and adjust where needed. Meet with party services that you do not control. Make your vendors give you the best rate or find another vendor. If you plan on planning your own party then you are the one in control. Take charge, plan well, design fun holiday parties this year and then leave next year to someone else if that's what you want to do.

Tips

Contact event planners in your area. Get them to divulge the best deals in town. get them to help you even if you are not planning onhiring an event planner for your Halloween or holiday party. The resources are there for you to use, use them.

Warnings

Event planners have no set fee for services. Many event planners hide extra harges and fees in their equipment and third party services. Go over each fee and how the cost was figured into the over-all budget. find out where your party planner is taking more than they should and then keep them going in the right direction.

Halloween is Coming.. Can you say 'Trick or Treat?'

2009-10-01T13:38:00.001-07:00

That's right ladies and gents, Halloween is almost upon us. You can go right now to our Halloween Store to connect with some great costume deals. Our party and event planning would not be nearly as extra special if we did not throw our creatives into the mix. Costumes, party tricks, ideas, and skits are what make gatherings special. Create the perfect Halloween atmosphere with a few of our event and party ideas.

Contact an event planner even if you don't plan on hiring one.

Let's say you want to throw your own special Halloween event but you are not a very good organizer or have ever thrown together a themed event before. Learn from the experts where they go for the best deals, what their idea of a perfect Halloween party is and so much more. I know because I'm an event planner. I get at least five calls a week from consumers who never plan to hire me as an event planner. They don;t hire me because they never planned on hiring an event planner, just wanted some good ideas from an expert. It works if you find someone like me, someone who is willing to talk to the public and let go of some of their best ideas for free. I have had clients come back to me years later to hire me because a conversation we had earlier. I help becasue I like to help. I get hired because I know what I'm talking about, and in Houston, I'm one of the best.

Always consider who's coming before you set your plan into motion. Why would you do a 'Devil may Care' party when the guest list is filled with arriving nuns? "You wouldn't" Know your crowd, jump into their skin, find out what makes them happy, excited, scared, and hungry, becasue for the perfect Halloween event, you need a blend of all these. And you need to know how to have a frightfully good time too. Take your task seriously before the big day so that you can enjoy what you have planned for your guests as if you were a guest to your own party.

The Time is Now - 2009 Holiday Event Season

2009-09-11T07:03:00.001-07:00

The time is now. The holidays of 2009 are quickly pushing forward and you may find that the next big event is your responsibility and what will you do? Get ready right now. Begin to develop the dates and the places that are important to your guests. Don't over pay, don't over pay, don't over pay; get it done the right way with help from our event planners who know how to get the most from your party budgets.

How to Plan the Perfect Holiday Event

It's September. Are your kids back in school? Has your boss just laid the company Christmas party in your lap? Now that you know what you have to do, get to work. The more you can accomplish within the first few weeks of knowing you have to plan a large gathering of friends and co-workers the better off you will be the day before the big event. Here's the best steps to take when you need to know how to plan the perfect holiday event in 2009.

Cooking at Home

2009-06-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

"I'll cook dinner tonight.."

My wife is telling me something, do you hear it?

"I got those steaks you love and I can have them done in a few minutes.."

"That's o.k. honey, I'll just heat up the grill."

Taking the lead in the kitchen is something my body needs. Not only the good tasting food, but the lack of heartburn only solidifies the fact that some women do not know how to cook and they never will.

Twelve years of trying one more 'meal in a box', fast food some thing or other has left me with the knowledge that if I want it done to my liking, I better do it myself. No problem, let me heat up the grill and get to work on something I can serve to people I like, not married to.

More men are becoming responsible for the cooking and cleaning in this fast paced world. 'Men" the new 'Women' is what I like to say and if you don;t like what I say just hit the button and escape. It's true.

I plan parties for a living.

So I like to keep the food stuffs as lively as any client would want. I am the most important client ofter all. The way to my heart is through my stomach and I love myself very much..thank god.

So the argument is squashed before it even starts. don;t let the second hand passive aggressive psychological Filibuster deter your determination to eat well, even if you have to do it yourself.

Holiday Restaurant Rip-Off's * BEWARE * #3

2008-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

The holidays should be a time of thanksgiving and joy. Let's not forget about the parties and the fun, it's during this time of year that we look forward to the new year and the struggles we may face in the future. While we take the time to enjoy the best things that our lives offer, be sure not to get taken advantage of when you are preparing your next holiday get together. Here are some of the ways you can lose when you go out to party during the holidays.

"45 Bottles of Wine"

Asked if company parties included the consumption of alcohol, 92% of companies will include a list of beverages during their yearly party. If you are the one responsible for arranging this event, then make sure you don't pay for more than you got.

Experienced with instances where alcoholic beverages were "added" to the bill, this is one of the ways a restaurant has taken advantage of consumers in the past. One case involved the addition of 45 bottles of wine to a bill where only 14 bottles were actually consumed.

"Scotch and Soda"

Make sure that the types of acohol that were to be served, are actually what is served. Anothe alcohol related issue, it points out the fact that many reataurants may attempt to take advantage of this time of year. Just because these establishments are attempting to earn 80% of their yearly income in just a few weeks.

This is your first tip in protecting yourself and your business from holiday scams you can run into during the company party season.

The Perfect Kitchen

2008-10-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

A commercial kitchen is not what you think of as the "Perfect Kitchen". All the utensils that come with a fully stocked restaurant or catering kitchen have an industrial quality about them that fits well within the environment. Used continually throughout the year, for a professional kitchen to survive, the equipment must be made to last and perform at a high level.

The perfect kitchen is in a home much like yours. Maybe you own a perfect kitchen and it's only because of your love for food that you desire to equip yourself with a full compliment of tools and accessories which allow you to be creative with flavors.

A kitchen is what we make of it, and for those who want to expirement with some fine foods and equipment, the search for what works for professionals but fits in amy home, is the most sought after.

Prep Knife Set

Made from high carbon, no-stain steel, Everyday Cutlery offers one-piece, forged construction for lifelong durability. The full tang design provides better balance and superior strength.

Calphalon Everyday Cutlery Prep Knife Set - save 50% at Cooking.com! (now just $49.99)

Nonstick Crepe Pan

Imagine serving rich chocolate crepes filled with mascarpone and toffee as the finale to a special meal. Or how about crepes stuffed with crispy vegetables as a light brunch or lunch treat? For delicate crepes that you can fill with your favorite sweets and savories, there's no better pan than this Nonstick 10-in. Crepe Pan by Calphalon.

Calphalon Classic Nonstick Crepe Pan - get it for 60% OFF at Cooking.com! (now just $29.99)

Everyday Pan with Glass Lid

The 10-in. Everyday Pan is an all-purpose pan. Use it for searing, browning and sautéing vegetables and meats as well as making the classic Spanish dish Paella. The two loop handles make for easier lifting, and the domed glass lid prevents the moisture from escaping and allows heat to easily circulate.

Calphalon Classic Nonstick Everyday Pan with Glass Lid - currently 71% OFF at Cooking.com! (now only $39.99)

Nonstick Chef's Skillet

Craftsmanship has been a tradition at Wusthof for over 190 years. Quality and precision have always been the standard that we measure our knife by and our Gourmet line of stamped German knives take precision to a new level.

Calphalon One Nonstick Chef's Skillet - now 65% off at Cooking.com! (only $49.95)

Chef's Casserole

The 7-Qt. Chef's Casserole with Lid is designed to be used first on the stove top and then in the oven. Use it on top of the stove to braise and sear, and once every ingredient is added to the pan, it can be covered and used like a Dutch Oven to complete the cooking process by baking.

Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized Chef's Casserole - 55% OFF at Cooking.com! (only $69.99)

Nonstick Skillet Set

Whether you're making an omelette for one or pan-searing a couple of chicken breasts for dinner, these two pans will always be in demand.

Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Skillet Set - 66% OFF at Cooking.com! (now just $49.99)

Good Things Come In Twos!! Save 33% Exclusive! Le Creuset Essential Baker's set (2-pc)! now just $49.99 at Cooking.com

Save 20% on the entire line of KitchenAid Pro Line! Now at Cooking.com!

Holiday Restaurant Rip-Off's * BEWARE * #2

2008-10-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

You may not know it, but the holiday season is where some restaurants will try to make up as much as 80% of their yearly business. From right before Thanksgiving until January 2nd, the restaurant industry is hungry for your gathering to come with all your favorite requests. Now that you have to enter their world, they are the only ones who really know how much it costs, so be careful not plan a party without really "planning a party". The more you know about what to expect and how much it costs will determine if you can afford your holiday get together. In this, and in the following reports #3-#6, we will show you how you can lose more than your temper when the bill finally gets paid.

In Houston you can find more than ten thousand restaurants and eateries. Add in the party venues that cater food and beverages and you will come close to 15,000 different places to eat a meal or plan an event in the Houston metro area. During the holiday season which runs from mid November until after New Years, these restaurants want you to come into to eat. If you are planning on attending or hosting a holiday party this year beware of the scams you can get caught up in.

Because most Corporate, or franchise operations have ways to eliminate the scams portrayed in these articles, please consider that most of this activity can be traced back to privately owned and operated businesses. It is because of the unstructered, or wholy owned business model, that most opportunities to commit fraud or illegal actions occur within. The instances of bad behavior is greatly reduced in the more structured corporate or franchise operation. What are we talking about? We're talking about making you pay more for less or nothing at all, and in the next installment we'll begin to let you in on the dirty deeds of some of the most recognized dining facilities.

How to: Holiday Restaurant Rip-Off's * BEWARE

2008-10-15T18:14:00.001-07:00

Plantabulous the blog is written by the Party Netter who has over 20 years in the food and beverage industry from the vendor and in-house side of the business. What you may not know about taking a holiday dinner out is that many respectable restaurants use "tricks of the trade" to make sure you leave with less money than you wanted to.
The economy is now telling us we need to budget ourselves well, and beware of overspending. During the holiday's our entertainment budgets increase as we enjoy more social events and gatherings. To understand how to get the most from your holiday dollars you must realize that everywhere you go, you're money is at risk, even when you don't think it is.

Here's how to save yourself or your company from spending too much for a company or family gathering hosted in a restaurant setting. These types of events can be managed well, or under managed which can cause costs going well beyond what the budget demands. Taking care of your event budget is even more important now, now that we expect more from our money.

The restaurant industry is made up of a caserole of players. Private, franchise, corporate, and individual interests have created places for the public to enjoy their best cooking. During the holidays, many gatherings are hosted in restaurants because of the ease of use, and because of the establishment's ability to host guests, the ability to host a gathering is as important as the food and beverage in many cases.

Don't get taken advantage of by your local establishment. In the next entry of Plantabulous we'll discuss the ways you can lose more money that you thought when hosting a gathering at your local eatery or restaurant.

Battle of the Party Planning Sexes

2008-09-30T20:20:00.001-07:00

When you're a man, planning a party has more to do with getting people together, than creating the perfect event. While some may disagree, if you ask a woman what she'll need to do in order to plan a great event, she'll tell you about how everyone wants the best. "Nothing but the best."

The best chocolates in the world!

Men who plan parties hardly call the activity planning. What works for poker night or football Sunday can be "ramped up" and morphed into any special event. For the man, what could be better than HDTV and scoop fritos for the best darn dip west of the Mississippi. If every party were as well planned as the image of the great party tumbling around the mans brain, then this man would attend more parties. Forget the music, the caterer, the decorations, or events. Get on with the meat, and potatoes, beer, and Lazy Boys rented special for the day. What the men lack in party foresight, they make up in an ability to force everything together until it fits into the original vision, even if the guest list was 50 people short, and the caterer only preapred enough food for half the guests that did arrive.

Women diliberate. Women collect ideas, and put them up side by side until the best idea shines brightly above the rest. After considering the outline, they fill in the blanks..so many blanks...with the best of the best, or a good impersonation of the best. For the women to succeed at party planning, satisfying everyone is a goal, but without the man's understanding that "You can satisfy some of the people someof the time, but you can ever satisfy everyone all the time."

Feeling, usually hurt, are so closely involved with a great event. These things that interfere with the objectives to complete a task on-time and under budget can severely side track a women planner unprepared to get what she wants. Women who utilize the best traits of a man's complete belief that he knows what's best can get farther, faster in the event planning process. What women can give to the process is an ability to understand what a man thinks about, while men are left guessing how to please many women.

This difference of opinion creates a "Sticky Situation" when couples decide to take on the task of planning the next great gathering of friends, family, or co-workers. For the professional planner though, working together as male and female participants can bridge a great divide between the sexes to create and even more special party, or big event.

If it's your responsibility to plan this year's holiday event for family or business, consider what the opposite would bring to the party if they were planning the event. For men, consider bringing in more of the best things about a woman's view, while women, bring in the men when working out the hard business side of event planning. Both sexes can win battles for each side in the war of the party planning men and women.

How to Plantabulous a party.

2008-09-22T21:43:00.001-07:00

Now that you're holding the ball, whatcha gonna do? Is it a party? Of course it is, and you need to know how to do it or the party's going to be something else..allright. A celebration comes with every momentous achievement of life and business that requires the admiration of others to fully be realized. A party is how we focus our admiration.

So it should be a compliment. A renewal of faith in those that attend. Team building. Going beyond expectations. Great things. So the party goes forth from there, the WHO has become THEM, and because they mean so much in life or business, your going to need to have the right tools to build a great party for faithful admirers of the event.

Our children deserve the admiration of family. They are the future us, and we only want what's best for us. Together with the milestones of youth, events for family to gather and celebrate are rewards for all the good things they embody. With birthdays, personal achievments, and coming of age celebrations, putting on a great show is highly recommended no matter what the age.

As we experience our lives, memories are enjoyed. Marriages, births, anniversaries, birthdays, and business achievements become a part of us. Each moment needs attention while it lasts. The present controls our today, but our memories own yesterday. File special moments in forever files of heart and spirit that will be fondly thought of far into the future.

Gather together. Celebrate life. Throw that party, but find it well worth the effort of doing something great. You can do it. Get the help you need now.

Plantabulous blog is The Party Netter report from the offices of Houston Banquet Planner.com

The focus of Plantabulous is to train the at-home planner on the best way to understand the responsibility of a family or business gathering. The best thing to do when planning a new event is to organize the first points of interest, and incorporate personality. There is more to putting together a great party than invitations and dessert. Follow the Plantabulos blog to learn more about how we get the job done here in Houston, TX.

Rose Garden Column Set. Great for Photos!

2008-09-03T16:23:00.001-07:00

This Rose Garden Column Set is a great way to decorate or set up a photo setting for fun photos from your event! The set includes two 6' columns, two 8' columns, and one 10' column. The columns also feature gossamer roses and vines for an outdoor look. Assembly required.

What's in it for you?

2008-09-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Visit Houston Banquet Planner HERE

Visit Powerfitz.com the Blog Shop HERE

When the season comes calling for celebrations to be had, look for ways to make the most from your event dollars with the help of an experienced local event planner who has the tools you need to pull it all off. Houston Banquet Planner has what you want for the best gatherings all in one place. The food, the entertainment, emenities and more are just a click away when you contact the expert event planners from Houston Banquet Planner.
Since 1994 when Damian Walsh started his career as a fine dining captain for famed Maxim’s restaurant in Houston, he wanted to give his guests more than the 5 stars that came with a meal. The dreams of building fantastic events for clients was only a few short years away, and after taking his career on himself, Mr. Walsh has created one of the finest event planning businesses in the South Central Region of the United States.
What his clients respect most about the service they receive when working with Houston Banquet Planner, is that not one detail os overlooked. The happiness of the client is always the first priority, and what comes across as bold and adventurous is quickly realized as sheer genius of planning, logistics, and fierce design.
Over and Out will be hosting news and products for the event planner who wants to give everything they can for the budgets that are agreed to. Giving get more, and getting is what clients of Houston Banquet Planner get.
Email dwalsh@houstonbanquetplanner.com for information and news on event plannig in the U.S.A.

Click on image to get more information and to purchase the equipment!

Throw a disco party and decorate with our Disco Party Theme Decor. Choose from super-groovy Disco Party Silhouettes and Disco Arch. The Disco Party Silhouette features a group of disco dancers and is made with one piece of 6' 10" high x 7' 10" wide sturdy self-standing cardboard . The Disco Arch will add some funk to your 70s decor with the 8' 6" high x 7' wide sturdy cardboard arch that is decorated on one side. Assembly required for both. To create the look of the floor choose from our black and white checked flat paper or poly vinyl. Also shown are our neon balloons scattered about the floor.

Getting started on Houston Banquet Planner

2008-09-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

There's so many things to arrange for a gathering of friends, family, and important people that you shouldn't leave it to chance everything will fall into place. Experienced event organizers are only as far away as your keyboard when you contact Houston Banquet Planner. We want to offer Houston's best party and gathering deals available in 2008. Make it great or don't make it at all. We make great events. By contacting us, you are someone looking to book event enhancement services. Houston Banquet Planner offers complete and partial event plans for clients large and small. Through our myriad of connections, you now have a direct link to the best priced party and event vendors in Houston. We make our contacts yours. Receive free consultation + $50 rental voucher online.
Package Deals * Wedding Reception * Party Rentals * Staging * Venues * Catering * Entertainment * Transportation * Staffing * Event Plans * Quotes * Service * Schedules * Lodging * Venues * Staffing

You are on your way to the best event ever. You utilized our high-quality service vendors and staff. Our experience helped you enjoy the time you spent arranging the perfect gathering and the party too!

Houston Banquet Planner.com updates 09/02/08

2008-09-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

Visit Houston Banquet Planner.com HERE

The designers at Houston Banquet Planner are giving you more options to get what yu need done this year. The all new party links on Houston Banquet Planner now allow you to shop directly from the Houston Banquet Planner home page. Visit the other pages and find produts you can use for all the different parties you are planning. From business to pleasure, the Houston Banquet Planner website can take you to the best news and information on Houston event planning and hosting plans. Finding the best deal in Houston takes more time and the first time.

The planning designs that Houston Banquet Planner has to offer you includes practical use products that will enhance any event. Follow the links to your particular event type, and find links to more information about the Houston area, and event and party planning in the U.S.A.

Plantabulos events from home.

2008-09-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

The planning of any event large or small can stretch the abilities of many would be planners from beginning to end. What appears to be an easy task of gathering and providing for guests over the course of an event, becomes the reality of production and performance of all the needed items. Taking an idea from start to finish is where an event planner can help you save time and money when it comes to making a great event happen.

For a special person or memory, making something great happen when it comes time to finally celebrate is the job of the party planner. Unless the task falls on someone who is prepared, the task of getting it all together can be something of a hurdle. What you may not know about organizing a great event, is going to hurt the event over-all, and may result in some harsh feeling at the end of the day. What truly makes a great event, is one that is created by someone who knows how important it is to get it just right.

Plantabulous for the holidays 2008

2008-09-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

If what's next on the calendar for you is the best holiday of the year, your a Halloween lover like many of us. Halloween comes at the time of year when activity is at it's highest point of the year. In Houston, the weather goes from balmy to better in October, what's happening in the house gets us thinking what a night on the town would mean for the family. Getting the family involved with a wonderfully fantastic night of trick-or-treating brings us back to a time when the nights were alive with people in the neighborhood.

The fear of urban living continues to drive many good families into the shelter of their homes. More time is spent together but alone in the neighbor. What Halloween suggests is that the neighbor hood is still strong. Getting people out to meet the neighbors should happen more than the choice moments of childrens holiday dreams.

What Halloween is what goes bump in the night. Nothing more than the truth be told about the fears of children. Taking on the roles of ghosts and goblins allow our kids to take on the roles that they might fear. Having fun with what scares you allows the realization that what goes bumb in the night might not be frighful at all.