Alcohol Consumption at your Company Holiday Party

With the multitude of Holiday parties in full swing, we must remember our responsibilities as event planners, corporations and citizens to do our part in ensuring everyone arrives home alive to their families this Christmas season.  

When planning the annual company holiday party (or any party involving alcohol consumption), I advise companies to focus on their due diligence.  Companies can and have been held partially responsible for duty of care for the actions their employees take at their corporate holiday functions. 

Here are some tips for ensuring your company is taking care in leading by example for making your event memorable for the right reasons:

• Announce and advertise that your event promotes sober driving. 
• Arrange to have taxi chits available for any employees who want them.  Make sure to record the number of the chit and who has it on the form.  Follow up after the event and ask that all unused chits be returned.  Taxi chits can be costly; however, the cost for a cab ride is substantially lower to the cost of a life and any litigation for the employer.
• Have your MC include in the “housekeeping” at the beginning of the night what options are available to your guests.  Also remind them that this includes calling police for any suspected drunk drivers.
• Is your party being held at a hotel?  Often block bookings can be made at hotels for guests to stay the night after partying hard at your event.  Ask your hotel representative if they have a program for this.
• Speak with agencies such as Operation Red Nose if they are in your area.
• Monitor the consumption of your guests throughout the evening.  Identify and act on those that may have had too much.
• Ensure that your servers are ProServe certified.  This is a legal requirement in Alberta for anyone serving alcohol.
• Hold your party during the day time hour and have a dry party. 
• Ask for signature non-alcoholic beverages and then promote them at your event.
• Have all designated drivers wear a wrist band so they are identified and bartenders know not to serve any alcohol to them. Thank them openly for being a part of your sober management program. Cover the cost for them to drink pop, juice and coffee at your event.
• Have someone stationed at the exit to ask your guests how they are getting home. Support them should any issues arise.
• Make arrangements with a taxi company to have a few cars onsite at the conclusion of your event.
• Speak with your insurance provider on your responsibilities for Host Liquor Liabilities.
• Read “When Good Parties Go Bad: Liability For Employers” by McMillan http://www.mcmillan.ca/93731
• Contact MADD for additional support and tips 

Credit Free Digital Photos

Finally, here are some tips to consider as a guest while attending your corporate holiday function:

• Speak with your employer and ask them how they are promoting sober driving at the holiday party.
• If you notice someone overly intoxicated at the function, take action! Notify your host; ask them for assistance in handling this (at times) delicate situation.
• Call police if you suspect someone to be driving while intoxicated. Yes, it may be awkward and uncomfortable if this is someone you know personally however no amount of discomfort is worse than a loss of life or injury.
• While soberly driving, if you notice checkstops or where police are located, please don’t announce it on social media sites or on the radio. They are there to catch drunk drivers and save your life from being impacted because of it.  Support the local authorities in ensuring everyone gets home alive.
• Offer to be a designated driver and choose not to drink. Parties are a hoot when you’re sober!
• Obviously…don’t drink and drive. 

The holiday season is full of love, laughter and merriment!  Lets keep it that way.

Shop Local in Edmonton for Weddings or Christmas

Christmas season is upon us! Shops have adorned their windows with a variety of holiday baubles and bling.  I decided to take a walk around my area (which is amazing and I love) in Edmonton: Old Strathcona.  One of the reasons I love this area so much is there is literally something for everyone.  No matter what shop you enter, you’re sure to find something perfect and you’re supporting the local economy.

My Edmonton “staycation” started out at the Designer Sale at The Red Pony Consignment store.  Designers sold their wares in a super fun back shop (made me feel as though I was part of a secret fashionista club)  All of the designers were incredibly nice, knowledgable and fun.  Not even going to lie and say I didn’t buy anything . . .could’ve easily dropped a paycheck. . .. 

This gorgeous silk dress designed by Jessica Halabi (If you buy this then I get to borrow it for an indefinite period of time):

Brides:  are you looking for ultra gorgeous and unique bridesmaids dresses?  Definitely contact Jessica. 

Here’s another one of my fav’s from her:

Parasol and Cruze were also in attendance, and I nabbed myself a comfortable and gorgeous tank and bolero (I may or may not have the terminology correct, so designers, correct me)

Great hey?

 

To go with my new threads, I purchased this handmade metal feather headband:

All of the accessories were handmade, eco chic and fun!  Check out this stunner agate necklace from BangBang Bijoux. All of her accessories are repurposed and each piece has an amazing story behind it.  **Brides! This is perfect for Something Old AND Something New**

 Fun, yes?  

 Here is the contact info for all the designers:

Fridget Apparel www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Fridget-Apparel/100036033540
Jessica Halabi Fashion www.facebook.com/JessicaHalabiFashion
Cruz by Gabriella www.facebook.com/#!/pages/CRUZ/136943409649188
Parasol by Corinna www.facebook.com/#!/parasol.designs
Cloud+Lolly Jewelry www.facebook.com/#!/cloudandlollyshop
BangBang Bijoux http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=154119178451

Moving on down the road, I stopped in at Ten Thousand Villages.  If you are a Christmas decorating nut then you’re going to be over the moon.  I love Ten Thousand Villages for three reasons: 1. Its free trade, you’re helping support an actual person somewhere; 2. Its very unique and fun; 3. ECO!  There were literally hundreds of different decorations to choose from.  As I moved away from the sparkly glittery trinkets and bows, I was stopped dead in my tracks for this:

Yes.  Coffee.  Don’t judge me.  The coffee is smooth, mild and perfect for a winter day.

Finally I travelled on to the Old Strathcona Farmers Market.  GO HERE.  I demand you too.  Tons of fresh food from LOCAL vendors.

And then there was this:

Although an old man decided it was his place to remind me that its fattening.  So, I scarfed this puppy down with reckless abandon.  I'd kill of a cinnamon tower wedding cake dripping in cheesecake icing.

Thank you, Old Strathcona and Whyte Ave for being amazing.  I’m truly blessed to live in probably the most kick-ass place in Edmonton.  

Final note, if you noticed from the above, everything I bought was eco –friendly and with the exception of my coffee, local.  I really encourage everyone to shop local for as much as possible.  You’re helping someone succeed in doing something they love and supporting our local economy.  I challenge all of you to shop local vendors first before going to big box and name brand. 

I am a FIERCE Woman . .. so to speak

I recently was nominated for a FIERCE Woman (Rising Star) Award in Edmonton, put on by MOM Magazine.  Thank you Cathy from The Green Tea Frog for nominating me, I'm truly honoured!  By the way, there is still time to nominate the FIERCE Women in your life!

Apparently nominees have to upload a video to YouTube telling them a bit about themselves (for me, my greatest influences and why I feel compelled to make a difference in the world). 

So without further verbose tendancies, here is my video entry:

So I'm wondering to everyone reading this, who are YOUR greatest influences?  Why do YOU feel compelled to make a difference in the world?

Thank you to all of my friends and family for their support and love! 

LOVE, PEACE and EMPOWERMENT!

Bridal Party & Attendant gifts . . .endless options

Buying a gift for the members of your bridal party sometimes can seem overwhelming.  A couple can walk into a mall and within a few seconds; experience the same anxiety as Holiday Season shopping.  Thankfully, there are quite literally endless options available to you for gifts for your bridal party.   The options available to you can be categorized as Wedding Related, Engraved Matching, Hand-made, Group and Personalized.

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Wedding related gifts are those that assist the attendants in looking and feeling their best on the day of your wedding.  What a nice surprise it would be for your party to learn that you’ve covered the cost of their hair and make-up!  For the gentlemen, a professional shave the morning of the event.  Little accessories of elegance can also be included in this category.  Pretty handbags matched to the ladies attire or a timeless jewelry piece and engraved pocket watches for the men.  These types of gifts are not only classic, but they will also be received very well.

Engraved matching gifts are some of the most common and are a fun way for your attendants to take something home that no one else has received and will be able to use for years to come.  Other gifts that are easily purchased in multiples and are engravable:

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• Charm bracelets (with your wedding date on a charm)
•  Multi-purpose knives (like Swiss Army)
• High quality pen sets
• Business card holders
• Key chains

 

Engraving is not limited to metal!  You can also have textiles embroidered.  A warm and cozy blanket, handbag, team specific merchandise (for the sports fan), and decorative pillows are just a few things.  Anything that is fabric can generally be embroidered or specialized in some way.  Or, you can consider doing the embroidery yourself!

Are you a crafty and artistic bride?  A hand-made gift is not only highly unique, but also can be viewed as a thoughtful and loving gift.  Granted, this does require some time commitment (something you may not have a lot of time for), but in the long run, your maids and men will appreciate the care you put into the creation of a beautiful gift.  Some ideas:

• Hand knit scarves and toques (Canada = cold winter)
• Covers for books, iPads and iphones
• Shopping and hand bags
• Cozies for anything!

Picture and work by Stephanie Hawes

Another fun way to thank your bridal party for being there for you is to pamper them in a fun group setting.  Before (or even after) THE BIG DAY, why not take everyone to the spa for a mani/pedi?  Other options you could consider are a drop in session at your local yoga, martial arts or dance studio.  Spending time together is good for the soul, so why not celebrate togetherness while taking sometime out and doing something unscripted and fun?

Finally, the last category is my personal favorite: Personalized gifts.  By personalized, I don’t mean engraved.  Personal gifts are gifts purchased specific to the person you’re buying for.  Nothing says “I thought about you and I want to thank you” like a gift that’s all about them.  The greatest advantage about this option is the gift is not unlike something you would get them for any other celebration.  What are their hobbies? If any are golf lovers, get them a box of Pro-V’s and an engraved divot repair kit.  Are they fans of the art scene?  They would be honored to receive a membership to the local art gallery or tickets to an upcoming hot theatrical performance.   Gifts for your attendants are a thank you from you to them for standing up for and assisting you on the most important day of your life.  The gift they receive can reflect who they are, and there’s nothing more thoughtful than that.  Giving a gift that doesn’t necessarily have your wedding date engraved won’t be necessary as you will have given them something that evokes emotion and they will cherish their little thank you as much as you do; their friendship.

Gift giving is a personal experience and with so many options available, this choice can sometimes be the hardest.   Your attendants will be appreciative of any gift you give them because it came from a person they love and care about.  Keep your budget in check with your gifts (no matter how large or small it is) and you will have no problem finding the perfect thank you to give your bridal party.

Stress Manageable Weddings - Part One "Us Time"

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    A wedding is one of the most beautiful life events a person can be a part of, however, the events leading up to your special day can be also one of the most stressful experiences in life. Managing your stress effectively while planning your wedding can be the difference between a bride or groom doing the Wedding March, and one doing the Imperial March. As the wedding date looms closer and closer, couples often experience stress, anxiety and a feeling of being completely overwhelmed: “My budget is out of control!”, “How do I find 200 favours that everyone will like?!”, “I don’t fit into my dress!” Most of these stressors are completely manageable and preventable. The brides and grooms can now take a deep breath because everything is going to be just fine. In this three-part blog post, I’ll take you through some tips and tricks to ensure your wedding is as timeless and wonderful as you are. Managing the stresses with your wedding is as simple as remembering to take time for each other, for yourself and then making sure you have a solid plan to refer back to.


You and your partner made a beautiful choice to spend the rest of your lives celebrating each other in union. Never forget that the celebration isn’t only for the day of your wedding. Couples have overloaded life plates: work, children, home and commitments outside of the home. Adding wedding planning into the mix can at times, be more than overwhelming. This is why it is vitally important to keep or bring back the romance in your relationship. Throughout the planning of your wedding, take time for yourselves. If your budget is tight, that’s okay! Making the commitment to spending at least one night a week doesn’t have to cost a lot. Sit down with your fiancé and grab a calendar. Put a big red heart on your first date night and then agree to each other that no matter what, this date night is important to both of you and you will commit to the night as you did to each other. Agree that when you’re on date night you will hire a sitter if needed, and make a promise that anything stressful will not be discussed. Date night is not the time to go over budgets, vendor meetings and who is going to pick up the kids from hockey. This time is for you to connect, to spend quality time and communicate in a loving and cosy manner.

Here are some ideas to get your juices going:

1. Be a Teen Again Night: grab a blanket, a couple of sandwiches and a beverage of your choice and go watch the stars. Drive the car out to “make-out point”! There are plenty of places in Alberta that are perfect for this. In Calgary, definitely check out Nose Hill Park.

2. Walk in the Park Night: put on your sneakers, grab a bottle of water and head out for a nice stroll in a park. Remember to take your camera and take some cute romantic pictures. In Stony Plain, I recommend Dog Rump Creek.

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3. Movie Night: No this isn’t renting any old video and sitting around. What was the first movie you watched together? Do you have a mutual favourite? Put the kids (or Fluffy) to bed, curl up on a bunch of pillows with a bowl of popcorn and have a nice romantic evening. This is a quiet night in, but with a romantic twist.

4. First Date Night: Nothing can bring back a sense of romance and thoughtfulness like recreating your first romantic date. (This is also a very good way for those planning an engagement or anniversary)

5. Couples Classes: Don’t worry, I don’t mean Pre-Marriage counselling or even Learn to Waltz. I mean take a class doing something you’re both interested in, and that has nothing to do with the wedding. The Edmonton and Calgary Outdoor clubs are phenomenal for their range of activities that cost on the low end at 2.00 and go up from there. The point is, do something fun that you will both enjoy and potentially learn something new and fun!

6. Something Different: Is there something that you’ve always talked about doing together? DO IT.

Weddings can be stressful; you can manage that stress easily and be that beautiful Princes Lea (sans head buns, unless that’s your thing). The last thing anyone ever wants is a couple to experience stress and potentially hard feelings while planning their wedding. If you are both making the effort to keep the romance there, it will remain there right up to, including and after your wedding day. March loud and march proud, you’re getting married soon!

Next weeks instalment in the Stress Free wedding is focusing on YOU time. Staying centered and balanced in life is necessary for both your physical and mental health. Tune in next week for some tips to keep your soul healthy while planning your wedding.

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