10 Dos and Don'ts for the Perfect Holiday Party
Celebrity event planner shares his top tips with BET.com.
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How to Deck the Halls in Style - Whether you’re heading out to a holiday party or throwing one of your own this season, we’re helping you do it stress-free and in style. We sat down with celebrity event planner Jamahl L. King, CEO of S.T.E.P.S. Event Planning, in Atlanta, who shares his best tips for both hosts and guests. By Britt Middleton Take notes! (Photo: Don Bayley/GettyImages)
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The Perfect Guest List - “You definitely want to invite your near and dear friends and close family. Invite them even if you know they may not be able to attend,” said King, whose A-List clientele includes Malinda Williams, Ne-Yo and Keith Sweat. “The tricky part of it, especially during the holidays, is the plus one, or inviting other guests. On your invitations you can ask guests to limit their plus ones, but during the holidays most people do travel in twos.” You’ll also want to be clear with guests if the event is an adults-only affair, he said. (Photo: GettyImages)
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Choosing the Right Theme - Themed holiday parties are a great way to create a memorable experience for your guests. He said a 1920s or 1930s-themed bash, “where people can look classic and dress up,” is always a hit for the holidays. “People also really like the winter white events. Keep in mind that most of your guests are being invited to five to 10 events during the holiday season, so you want to excite them to make sure they come to yours.” (Photo: GettyImages)
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What's on the Menu? - “The hot ticket item of the season is definitely the mini beef burgers. And everybody loves chicken kabobs,” he said. “Don’t do chicken wings because they’re so messy. Cheese is becoming one of those options that a lot of people are backing away from.” For veggies, King lists broccoli, cauliflower and celery as always safe bets. (Photo: Lauri Patterson/GettyImages)
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Do Label Menu Items - As more people are becoming health conscious, King thinks a good host should accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. “Naming items on your catering menu is definitely a must. Whether you’re passing the food or doing a buffet, definitely tag it just to let people know what they’re eating.” (Photo: Mint Images/ Tim Robbins/GettyImages)
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