This is the article I submitted for The Sunday Age, Sunday M Magazine,15 August 2010
"Joy or sorrow will wash the faces of many Australian come the results of the 2010 election. No matter what the outcome is, people can still plan to gather together to watch the results.
If you plan ahead, your evening can be a landslide win regardless of your political choice.
1. Consider venue, number of guests, theme, starting time, duration of party, invitations, decorations and menu.
3. Set the table with tableware and matching cutlery.
If you follow the liberal Party of Australia – you could choose royal blue & gold to be applied to the evening celebrations or for the liberal Party of Australia choose royal blue & red just like the website details.
Or why not use up the leftover plates from your Australian Day barbecue and nobody will know that you've finally cleaned out a cupboard.
You can create cutlery bundles using serviettes wrapped around the cutlery. Tie the bundle closed with ribbon or string and add a mini Australia day flag. Your local discount store is a good source for Australian flags, badges, t-shirt, hat or even aprons.
Your food should be simple but plentiful. You could stick with the Australia Day theme and serve meat pies, aussie burgers or even a lamb leg which can be made ahead of time and reheated when the guests arrive. This could be dished up with coleslaw, baked potatoes and finished with pavlova cake, vanilla slice, coffee & tea.
Serve your party food on themed tables. Cover the tables in cloth matching to the colours of choice and add some flowers.
In addition, never underestimate the power of decorating with balloons as they can transform any room into a festive space in minutes.
Furthermore, party apparel is a fun way to spice up your election party. Hand out party apparel as door prizes for the best politician-look-a-like, party favors like confetti shooters to celebrate a victory or prizes for party games.
Plan some activities whilst waiting for the final moment of the evening. This could include Australian Trivial Pursuit, pin the tail on the donkey or the elephant depending, which party you, support. You could collect all your favorite Australian songs together and make your very own karaoke evening….
If you need guidance, advise or assistance on upcoming function or events, please contact Parties by Georgia partyevents@me.com or telephone 0418.356.265
