Holiday Parties

Hosting holiday parties at home can be a nightmare. When you're responsible for whether the party will be deemed either 'sucky' or 'awesome' by your peers, there can be a lot of pressure not to fall into the former category. The result is sifting through sheaf after sheaf of paper covered in scrawled notes about music, food, themes, liquor, costumes, and prescriptions for Valium. For some people it's just not worth the hassle. They'd rather hire someone else to look after all the details. For everyone else, here's a quick guide to the things you might want to rent when planning your holiday party.

Music

If you think your personal stereo and music collection is fine for the kind of party you have in mind, you're probably wrong. The speakers on your standard tabletop stereo you bought at Circuit City might sound plenty loud to you now but when you've got fifty people in your house all talking at once they're going to be about as useful as a corrugated plastic box with some holes poked in it. Save your party from suckyness and rent a sound system, preferably with a DJ so you won't embarrass yourself by playing endless albums by Huey Lewis and the News at a Christmas party.

Decorations

The mark of a great party is one where the decorations didn't come from the dollar store. If you make a great living selling condo real estate in Toronto there's no reason to cheap out and settle for crepe paper streamers and balloons you blew up yourself. Rent professional decorations like linens, helium balloons, disco balls, and specialty lighting from a dedicated party store for a party to remember. No one wants to kiss their sweetie at the stroke of midnight under the flickering fluorescent lights in your living room while surrounded by your everyday trinkets.

Costumes

Costumes are especially important for a Halloween party, but need not be limited to that particular holiday. Why not have a Victorian themed Christmas party or a Wild West birthday? Costumes are the best way to set a theme and costume rental stores are the best way to get great costumes with a minimum of work. You can cheap out on a painted refrigerator box with a tap on it and go as an on demand hot water heater or spend a few extra dollars on a flowing dress or dashing swordsman outfit that will attract more of the attention you really want.

Bar

Six-packs and soda are all you need for Superbowl Night with the guys, but planning a co-ed holiday party takes a little more pizzazz. A sure way to get it is to rent a bar and a bartender for the evening. Not only does it save you from having to mix drinks all night but it will impress that Brampton power of sale attorney you've had your eye on. For a single price you can rent a stocked bar from a catering company that will be set up in the comfort of your own home. It beats spending the week leading up to the party studying drink mixing books.