Photo by Bert VanderVeen

For most people, the holiday season rushes in an abundance of events to be planned, paid for, and (just perhaps!) even enjoyed. For Cecelia Thompson, that last part takes priority. Thompson knows a thing or two about parties — and not only because she’s been known to frequent some of the city’s most fabulous soirees. During the past four years, Thompson has served — both professionally and personally — as hostess-with-the-mostest for a number of community events.
A Gainesville, Florida native, Thompson moved to North Carolina to attend Elon University, where she studied public administration and sociology. Formerly the Executive Director of Guilford Green, Thompson is now the Director of Projects at Action Greensboro, where she coordinates the activities of synerG — the group’s young professionals organization — and other projects associated with Action Greensboro initiatives. Heed a few of her suggestions and you’ll ensure a successful and not-so-stressful gathering.

How early should you begin planning for an event?
It depends on your budget and guest-list size, but ideally, at least a month out. You have to be sure to get invitations in the mail in plenty of time, and you have to be mindful that during the holidays, there may be conflicting events.
What are the guidelines regarding invitations?
For holiday parties, I think three weeks to a month gives people time to get your party on their calendar and find babysitters. A new trend lately has been to send electronic “e-vites.” Even though that route is more convenient, I’ve found that people still pay more attention to paper, and you’re more likely to receive an RSVP.

If you’re hosting at home, how do you decide what to do yourself and what to hire help for?
I’ve always been a proponent of do-it-yourself. Do what you can do best. If you have a really great recipe, make it. If you don’t have time to do it, it’s fine to buy. Just keep in mind that the best part of entertaining is showing off your home, how you live, and what you do well. Take this opportunity to display your talents.

What do you need to consider when creating a guest list?
First and foremost, consider what type of people you’ll have. Are you inviting friends, co-workers, folks that know each other, a group of strangers? The smaller, more intimate your party, the more mindful you need to be of the guests invited. And no matter the size of the party, if co-workers are present, remember to mind your manners.

What suggestions do you have for hostess gifts?
A good standby is always a bottle of wine. I prefer gifts that are consumable or recyclable.

What are some mood-setting tips?
Everyone has different tastes, and sometimes you have to set aside your personal preferences for your guests’ comfort. This might mean starting a party with one type of music, and changing to something different later in the evening. Or it might mean serving signature cocktails early, and beer later on. Tune into your guest list and the type of celebration you wish to convey.

How do you keep costs low?
This is something that is on everyone’s mind right now. Entertaining is pricey, so determine your budget early and take measures to accommodate it. Think about what you can do well in bulk. Try cheaper grocery options liked the Super G Mart, and even local farmers markets. To cut the price of food and beverages, you could always host an event in the middle of the day and avoid mealtimes altogether. That said, while everyone knows that they must sacrifice some things during this tough economy, try not to sacrifice your enjoyment of the holidays. Remember that friends and family are the highlights of this season, and find ways to enjoy them.