We Can't Afford To Throw Money

You may not know the name Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, but surely you have heard his often quoted “God is in the details.” When Mies made this statement he was referring to spending time on the finishing of a design. He believed that too much effort was wasted in gaudy embellishments, if one simply did beautiful work it would stand on it’s own.

The other thing you need to know about Mies is, like others of his time, he was responding to the opulence of Victorian Style. A style which added decorative moldings, textures, and patterns where ever possible. Somehow as we face a failing economy and higher gas prices it seems easy to draw a parallel. We want to continue the lifestyle we so love, but we need to reduce the opulence. We can’t afford to throw money at things, we must produce fine work that can stand on it’s own.

That is why it is so important to carefully plan when you are hosting an event. Think about your guests, who are they? What will make them feel most welcome? People already feel stressed and challenged by life, this is not the time to challenge their pallet as well. Hemlines drop during a recession because we feel a little more nervous about being on display, keep this in mind when you plan your event. This is a good time for classic comfort foods, soft chairs, and music they can sing along to. This is a time when a party needs to be a haven, a time to relax and feel safe.

Choose one or two things that are the most important to you and spend your money there. Maybe it’s hiring a photographer, maybe it’s really good wine. By having a narrow focus for your major expenses you choose carefully what you spend your money on. If you feel like you can throw you money with wild abandon, you will. By sitting down before the event and really thinking about the overall mission you will help effectively choose your show pieces.

Think of this like a holiday table, if you have a beautifully prepared turkey that you bring to a table that is covered with flowers, wine glasses, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, carrots, corn, etc., etc. . . the turkey is lost. Just a small slice of meat on a heaping plate. However, if you set it by itself on the mantel suddenly everyone walks into the dining room and admires what you have done. Your party should be the same way. If the goal is to celebrate a new baby, don’t let that be overrun with finding every baby-sized veggie in the produce department. Keep it simple, let everyone hold the baby. Remember why they came, remember your focus, remember the details. Details should finish, not cover the event.