To make your year-end bash stand
out, Bess Devenow, director of special events at Ripe (www.ripeevents.com), a New York City-based luxury
planning and lifestyle concierge firm, offers these tips.
Break the mold. Try
planning an atypical outing, like scotch tasting with a noted
expert or a private tour in an art gallery.
Book late. If you’re
set on a place that is booked solid, throw an “extending the
holiday season” fete in January. Post-season prices should be
better, too.
Involve the crowd. To
inspire even the wallflowers to socialize, Devenow suggests adding
interactive elements, such as make-your-own hot-beverage bars and
cookie decorating.
Hop around. If your
group is on the smaller side, consider sampling a few different
venues (three is probably enough).