New Years is about a fresh start and new beginnings. It’s the perfect time to reflect on all that has occurred throughout the year and resolve to make changes in the new year that lies ahead. And while grandiose displays of fireworks and countdowns are typical among many New Year’s Eve celebrations, there’s something to be said about staying in and hosting your own affair. Plus, it’s the safest way to celebrate!

Drawing inspiration from our recent feature in Modern Luxury (see page 78!), we’ve put together a few quick and easy tips for hosting a New Year’s Eve party at home with all the major necessary food groups to focus your holiday spread around.

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Gather round the table, we’ll give you a treat. Spinning tops to play with and good things to eat. Cheer comes in all forms throughout the holiday season and for those of Jewish faith, it takes shape through the celebration of Hanukkah (aka The Festival of Lights).

Unlike other holidays within the Jewish calendar that require individuals to fast and abstain from work, such as Passover, Sukkot, and Yom Kippur, Hanukkah festivities are filled with games, gifts, and feasting. Beginning the evening of December 24, many families light menorahs, one candle each night and children receive gifts throughout, such as gelt or money. Games using small wooden tops called dreidels are also played. The dreidel is adorned with lettering across each of its sides that when read together translates to — a great miracle happened there.

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Twinkling lights, sleigh bells ringing, and a jolly man decked in a red suit and white beard are all familiar images of many who celebrate Christmas here in the United States. For others around the world however, the holiday can evoke thoughts of pinatas filled with candies and coins, goblins, and even a half-goat, half-demon called upon to punish naughty children. These global traditions may not always make it stateside, but there are certainly others with International origins.

People have celebrated Christmas in some way, shape, or form worldwide for 2,000 years. Starting in the fourth century as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ in Christianity, adoption spread from Egypt to England to Scandinavia and more by the end of the eighth century. The first ‘Christmas trees’ found roots in Germany with the decoration of evergreen trees having been a tradition previously in German celebrations of the winter solstice.

Another popular decorative plant—the poinsettia—was brought to North America by the American minister of Mexico in 1828. With its vibrant red and green flowers, poinsettias are often also referred to as the Christmas Star and Christmas Flower. It is said to symbolize good cheer and success, and can be found in homes throughout the holiday season.

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Thanks to the fast-approaching holiday season, many of you are preparing to entertain friends and family. Although it might seem like quite a production, preparing for the holidays doesn’t have to be extravagant. Even the simplest of decorations can be elegant when executed well.

Don’t let yourself get too stressed out and overwhelmed by the thought of welcoming guests into your home, and all the preparation that goes into entertaining them. Try to enjoy this special time of year with those closest to you.

Here are some simple tips that will help you entertain during the holidays with style.

Party Preparation

The most important factors when planning your party are these three critical elements:

• Food (the most critical, of course!)
• Drinks
• Conversation

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It’s hard to think of a person at Catering by Michaels that knows the business better than delivery driver Alexander Rufus. After all, he’s the person charged with transporting food to many catering clients, answering any customer questions on-site, and ensuring that food arrives just as good as when it left our kitchen.

Here’s a look at a day in the life of a delivery driver at Catering by Michaels.

What are the main responsibilities of a Driver?

It’s pretty straightforward – our main goal is to make deliveries within a given timeframe. Sometimes, we have to manage multiple orders at once. We must be sure to be quick, courteous, and oftentimes set up food for the clients once we reach their destination.

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