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celebrateinstyle0Celebrate Labor Day by throwing your own bash! A party is a great way to say goodbye to the rainy, humid days of summer here in Florida and get ready for the weather that makes us all glad we live here. Hotspots Magazine spoke with expert event planner and Wilton Manors resident Benjamin Antipuna to get ideas on how to throw a party that your friends won’t forget. Antipuna, who has managed events for Citibank, Pepsi-Cola, Red Bull and Broward House and was an entertainment project manager for Universal Studios and Busch Gardens, had several tips for our readers.

celebrateinstyle1

Celebrate Labor Day by throwing your own bash! A party is a great way to say goodbye to the rainy, humid days of summer here in Florida and get ready for the weather that makes us all glad we live here.

 

Hotspots Magazine spoke with expert event planner and Wilton Manors resident Benjamin Antipuna to get ideas on how to throw a party that your friends won’t forget. Antipuna, who has managed events for Citibank, Pepsi-Cola, Red Bull and Broward House and was an entertainment project manager for Universal Studios and Busch Gardens, had several tips for our readers.

 

Party trendscelebrateinstyle2

 

“Everything is very over-the-top lately,” Antipuna explains. “People are hiring DJs and live entertainment.” He also says that parties are a lot more active. “People want to do stuff,” he says. “Whether its volleyball or swimming or games. People aren’t just standing around with cocktails anymore.”

 

Making a plan

 

Planning a party can be a lot of work, but there are ways to make it a less intimidating project. “Start logistically,” Antipuna suggests. He says that you should first think of invitations. Most people are using Facebook and Evite, but a lot of people appreciate homemade mailed invitations as well, he explains. “It’s a good way to take it to the next level,” he says. “It shows sophistication. People will then expect more than just a backyard barbecue.”

 

The next thing you should think of is parking, Antipuna says. “That’s a big issue down here,” he explains. “Is your neighbor going to be pissed if your guests park in their area?”

 

Next, he says, you work on the three Fs – food, friends and fun. “Decide whether you are cooking for yourself or if you want your party catered,” he suggests. He says a good thing to do is have a themed pot luck. “Maybe do something from your heritage,” he adds. You won’t be stuck doing all the work with a pot luck and it will help with food and with clean up, Antipuna explains.

 

Next, plan on the drinks you want to serve. “Stock you typical alcohol drinks and also soft drinks for people who don’t drink alcohol,” Antipuna says. He also suggests offering a special themed cocktail. For the fun part of the event, Antipuna suggests a game night, a high tea in the afternoon party or icebreaker games to get people to open up and get to know each other.

 

celebrateinstyle3Money matters

 

He advises to stick to a budget and says to put your money into things people will appreciate, like food and entertainment. “That’s what people remember,” he says. When decorating for your party, Antipuna says that if you want to do something themed, look around your home for inspiration. He says that if you have Fiestaware and souvenirs from a trip to Mexico, for example, put the objects together in the same space so that it evokes a theme. He also said that another great way to decorate is to bring your inside furniture outside. “Like a comfy chair or loveseat,” he says.

 

Antipuna suggests that you leave a guest with something extra special. “It doesn’t have to be a fancy name card holder,” he says. “Maybe a souvenir glass or something small and inexpensive you’ve picked up from a local international market.”

 

celebrateinstyle4Hosting

 

If hosting seems to be too much for you and you want to go over-the-top, you can hire someone to plan your event. “It always makes a huge impact,” Antipuna says. But Antipuna says that you can still have fun at a party you are hosting. “Ask for help!” he says.

 

He suggests having some guests work with you in the kitchen and help set up. “People love helping and it gives you a chance to spend personal time with people that you might normally not get to,” he says.

 

He says that the best advice is to “K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid.” “So not only will your guests have a good time – you will too!” he says.

 

To contact Ben Antipuna, email him at benantipuna@gmail.com