Great New Product

AT LAST! for years we have been promiosed a siran wrap that would actually STICK. GLAD Press'nSeal is the product. if you, like I have seen the ads and dismissed them take heart. this stuff is GREAT! Ya know. it's the little things in life.

Easy Steps to a Beautifully Decorated Tree

This post may be too late for many of you to take advantage of this year but, maybe some of these tips will assist you in your tree challenge for next year.

To pick up extra holiday money, while living in New York, I got a job with a holiday decor company.  we traveled all around New York and the Burroughs installing tree displays for Macy's.  We worked in teams of four and each team member had five trees to decorate every day.  These tips will allow you to work your magic in no time with professional results.

LIGHTING

Break your tree into three sections and light the tree one third at a time starting at the top and working your way down.  This saves walking around in circles getting the tree lit and should you have a strand of lights burn out during the season it is much easier to replace with this configuration.

How Many Lights Do I Need?

If you are lighting just the outside of the tree I suggest at least 35 lights per foot of tree. To deep light a tree, lighting the branches all the way into the trunk, you will need 70 to 100 lights per foot of tree.  the extension cord for your lights should have multiple plugs.  Two years ago I bought a cord at Home Depot just for the tree, it has four outlets placed along the cord so you can plug your lights in in several places.  Remember, no more than three strands of 100 lights linked together.  some of the lighting this year state no more than five, do not take the chance.

ADDING THE DECORATIONS

First, turn off the lights!  This may seem strange but, it makes it much easier to find where to put the ornaments.  You will also achieve a tree that looks very nice in the daytime when the lighting is not as effective.

I always start with the top of the tree and work my way down.  Fill the inside of the tree with inexpensive glass ornaments in a color or colors of your choice working with smaller orbs at the top and graduating to the larger orbs at the bottom. 

Now it is time to place all of the novelty and keepsake ornaments to the outside of the tree.  also, do not be afraid to bend the ornament hook around the branch so that the top of the ornment comes in contact with the tree.  not only is this a polished look, it will also secure your ornaments from falling off should the tree be brushed against or climbed by your pet cat!

Make sure your tree is easy to turn on and off.  plug your tree into a power strip with an easily accessible on, off switch.  If you really want to have some fun, pick up a table top, lamp dimmer from your local Hardware store to control the brightness of the tree. 

While you are at the store pick up plastic bins with snug fitting tops and label them for glass ornaments and others for novelties. 

Last Tip on Lights

Throw them away!  you have twisted them around branches and if you try to save them you will be twisting and tugging again.  If you shop the weekend of Thanksgiving you can get lights as low as $3.00 per box for 100 lights.  For around $30.00 you can save yourself a lot of hassle and frustration.

Merry Christmas to All

NOT GONNA DO IT NO MORE

Yes that is a double negative,  I was taught that using a double negative in a sentence canceled out so chances are that you probably will want to cancel on some part of your event contract after reading this.

 I have had it with adding tables and chairs and linens for the DJ, the photographer, the balloon artist and on and on and on.  As a designer I must add this to my contract and it comes out of my allocation for design; consequently, my client gets less floral, less lighting, less decor because they want to stay within their decor "budget".

These other industry "professionals" are signing contracts with great profit margins; it is time that they become responsible for their own gear.

Please do not come to me anymore at an event and ask "where is my table and linen?"  Put it on your contract and take it out of YOUR profit margin not my decor allocation!

while I am ranting: this is the kind of topic we should be discussing at NACE, MPI, and ISES instead of how to shake hands or take a long walk...

I more than welcome discussion on this!!!

THE FIRST DANCE

Today’s Weddings are upping the ante in every way; from jazz trios to magicians for the cocktail hour.to the very popular trend of a choreographed first dance. 
For years the two words “first dance” have struck fear into the minds of most grooms as well as many a bride!  Here you are having just completed a beautiful wedding ceremony, you have posed for the photographer for  photos that will be treasured for a life time and now you must walk to the center of the dance floor while your guest look on with “show me whatcha’ got” in their minds.  You now have three choices:

 1. Bolt for the door grab the limo and head straight to the airport and start the honeymoon early.

 2.  Stand in the middle of the floor and sway back and forth while the guests think “how long will this go on until we are free to hit the buffet or….

3.  You can dazzle the crowd with your fleet feet and terpsichorean skills! To do this many couples enlist the help of a professional choreographer to set the “routine” and help with editing music.

I find that usually, even the faintest of heart and rhythm can accomplish an entertaining first dance with three to four private classes. 

Now if you want to really get into production mode, include the full wedding party in what will become a fun time for all. 

A full choreographed dance line never fails to entertain the crowd, get the party started and the prep/rehearsal brings the wedding party together several times before the big day to socialize and become further acquainted and involved with what is sure to be a great day.

 HINT: Wine, or stronger beverages for rehearsal makes for even more fun!

Pricing for first dance usually begins at $75.00 per hour, depending on your geographic location, and increases to $100.00 or more per hour for groups.  I generally like to keep a single couple number in the time range of two minutes and a “production” somewhere in the time limit of three minutes.

So, whether you are going for Fred and Ginger or John Travolta, Olivia Newton John and the class of Rydell High, get out those dancing shoes (preferably something very close to what you will wear on the big day) and give it a whirl!

 

Jpatrick was a professional  dancer in New York for eleven years with two Broadway shows to his credit.  He now designs exquisite events for a wide range of clients and currently works with SE Events.
Post by: Jpatrick McCann