Monday, December 19, 2011

Corporate Holiday Party-Glenerin Inn



Date: Friday, December 16, 2011
Location: The Glenerin Inn, Mississauga, ON
Guests: 32 adults
Budget: >$30 per person

Menu: 
Yuletide Buffet:
Wide variety of soups, salads, side dishes, entreés, carving station (turkey and ham), stuffing, cranberry sauce, condiments, fresh fruit, assorted desserts. The coleslaw was some of the best I've ever had.
The cheesecake and chocolate mousse cake was unbelievably delicious .It was all good, really!

 Dessert Table

 Decorations: All centrepieces and decorations provided by the Inn, included in the rental fee. Rental fee varies depending on the size of group. I booked the Evans Room, it was a perfect fit.

 The Evans Room


Evans Room had it's own tree


 Lobby Tree

Lobby Fireplace





Entertainment:

I printed out some index cards with holiday themed riddles, brain teasers and trivia. I downloaded the index card template for free from the Microsoft website. The content came from various sites-just google "Christmas riddles" and you will find plenty. I put the answers on the bottom of each card in smaller font, and rotated it upside down. Print out on card stock, and cut out each card.
I put some on each table for guests to quiz each other.  Once a table had finished their stack, I encouraged them to trade with their neighbours.

Gift exchange game (optional):
I asked the guests beforehand to bring a wrapped gift valued no more than $10. After dessert, I asked all guests to pick up the gift they had brought, and form a circle. A guest volunteered to read out the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas"-when you hear the word "right" pass the gift to the person to your right, left passes to the left. If done correctly, no one should end up with their own gift. You can find the poem here

Much laughter ensued. Some guests traded amongst theme selves afterwards. This is a really great game if you are short on time-it only takes about 10 minutes or so.



I can't praise the Glenerin Inn enough for the fantastic experience.  The staff is so wonderful, the atmosphere elegant yet cozy at the same time. The food scrumptious. Free neck and shoulder massages in the lobby!
Turn key service-I hardly had to do a thing, it was definitely the easiest party I have ever coordinated. I felt so relaxed that day-no running around, everything was seamless.


I would recommend the Inn again for a corporate event in a heart beat.
Weddings are also available.
For more information, visit their website

Monday, December 5, 2011

Re-post: Wrapping paper photo frames

Do you have scraps of wrapping paper too nice to recycle?
Upcycle them into these pretty photo matts.


 Image source: http://www.chatelaine.com

I love this project from Chatelaine. Really easy, and lots of impact. My favourite kind of project. You can find the details here 

It doesn't have to be just Christmas paper, use any paper at all. Metallic paper for black and white wedding photos, birthday paper, floral, graphic. I can think of some many iterations.

Lovely idea for an inexpensive gift, for Christmas or anytime!

Endorse Re-gifting

Are you are re-gifter?

Brain Pickings introduced tools to help reduce the stigma and guilt surrounding re-gifting. Free icons and graphics are available here
Licensed under Creative Commons, they are free to use, download, re-mix, etc.

Make gift wrap, note cards, post it on your facebook and twitter. Let people know you are ok with re-gifting.
Personally,I always try to include a gift receipt if I can. I am not offended when someone re-gifts something I gave them. I'd rather it was used, then go to waste. Not your taste/colour/size? Pass it on!