Blah! January! Winter! Cold! Did it really just snow again yesterday?
January is probably the height of seasonal affective disorder. It is post-holidays, pre-Valentine’s Day and the President’s Day long weekend in February. There really just isn’t a heck of a lot going on. At all.
This lack of activity can really bring out the winter blues. So what to do? Why, throw a party of course! January (and really, any time in the winter) is one of the best times of the year to throw a party because:
1. Everyone needs a little socializing in the dark days of winter
2. Everyone you invite will come, because there is nothing else going on.
3. You and your guests will be rejuvenated, happy, and ready to take on the remainder of the winter
Throwing a party or gathering can be as easy or complex as you make it. Because money and resources are tight for everyone, you might want to consider keeping things simple. Your guests aren’t looking to be dazzled–they just want to get out of the house and reconnect with people!
I think one of the best parties to throw is a potluck-style gathering. This takes pressure off of you to make enough food for all your guests AND saves you quite a bit of money and time. You may just want to provide beverages and an appetizer or two. Leave the rest to your guests. I find that people tend to get more excited about potlucks, as it offers an opportunity to cook up something they might not normally make and they get to see others’ cooking specialties.
Now you are all set with food and beverages. How are you going to serve all the food and rink? Try to stay away from plastic cups, paper plates, and other disposables. Your party will be much classier if you use dinnerware AND you are demonstrating to your guests your commitment to reducing waste and may inspire some of them to so, as well.
If you do not have enough plates, bowls, and silverware, you can request
that guests bring their own eating utensils, but I recommend investing in some extra party dinnerware. You can definitely do this on the cheap. I invested in a few cases of small mason jars that make for great party glasses: they are cheap and are impossible to break! You can find jars at any hardware store and most grocery stores. You can also head out to your closest Goodwill store or thrift shop and pick up a few sets of bowls and plates (check out this great post from Suddenly Frugal on thrift store shopping tips before you head out). You don’t have to incorporate these into your everyday dinnerware, but you will now have a back-up for parties, family gatherings, and dinners.
Next, figure out the atmosphere you want to create. Potlucks are generally more casual, with all the food set out so guests can add to their plates as they please. Don’t worry about having enough seats for everyone. At parties, people move around, talk, and alternate standing, and sitting. Having some music on greatly adds to the party atmosphere and helps make your guests comfortable.
Finally, adding a theme to you party can be pretty fun: try a decade theme (really, the ’80s is probably the most fun), color themes (I can personally attest that black and white parties are the best), or anything else you can think up.
I’m not a big party planner, but having people over for a casual potluck and sharing food with friends and family is a great boost to the spirit! For more tips on organizing a sustainable party or gathering, check out this news article I found on the Seventh Generation site.
