Perhaps your holiday season will be a little different this year because of current economic weirdness. But you don’t have to compromise on style and fun to uphold holiday traditions, and enjoy the season. Erica Prewett, chief event planner with A Big To Do Event, shares four ways to make this holiday season better than ever.

1. Use what you have. Do you have Grandma’s old milk-glass collection in your attic and have you been wondering what in the world to do with them? Use them on your buffet. Also, instead of renting high-priced specialty linen, consider using a curtain in your “pop” color. I have even used a long dress to brighten my table. Just turn under the edges and fluff the fabric. No one will know.

2. Don’t be too matchy-matchy. It’s perfectly fine to use different patterned plates, different-sized glassware, and even different-colored cloth napkins at your parties especially when the party is in your home. You are inviting your guests into your personal space. What better way to make them feel at home and like family?

3. Identify a “Greeter.” We’ve all got a friend who has never met a stranger. Use him/her as your door greeter. His/Her job is to greet guests as they arrive, bring them to the bar, and introduce them to another couple along the way. Everyone feels included and comfortable.

4. Super Woman doesn’t exist. We all want to do it all. Until right before the guests arrive, we still think we can. Prevent panic by allowing friends or a professional to handle the last-minute details. You’ll be glad you were able to mingle with your friends versus kitchen duty.

by  Erica Prewett

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Erica Prewett is an event expert and owns A Big To Do Event. Contact Erica at 404.547.5712 or Erica@ABigToDoEvent.com . You may also follow her blog at www.ABigToDoEvent.com or http://checklistqueen.blogspot.com.

Other past honorees include Helen Owens, community volunteer and former Georgia Ensemble Theatre Trustee: Coe Hamling, Georgia Ensemble Theatre President Emeritus and Trustee; Jacque Cox, Curator of Fulton County’s Teaching Museum North; Congressman Tom and Dr. Betty Price, dedicated GET supporters and arts advocates; and Peter Abreu, founding trustee as well as Bank of North Georgia, Macy’s and Northside Hospital.

The event will be held on October 24 at the Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, and will include a silent auction, cocktails, dinner and dancing as well as entertainment from Georgia Ensemble Theatre performers. Individual tickets can be purchased for $125, and sponsorship levels are available.

If you would like to take a smaller step toward getting involved with the Georgia Ensemble Theatre, I recommend you check out one of their upcoming plays: the comedy Arsenic and Old Lace will be running November 5-22, and the Southeastern premier of the comedy The Men of Mah Jongg will run January 7-24. Look for What I Did Last Summer, a coming of age story, and the cult classic Grease later in the season as well. The Georgia Ensemble Theatre and director Robert Farley are both award-winning, and sure to put on a fantastic show.

by Emily Owens

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For tickets to One Enchanted Evening or a show, call 770.641.1260 or visit www.get.org

Season tickets are available.

Emily Owens is a local freelance writer and granddaughter of past GET honoree and trustee Helen Owens.

May 2: Friends With You, A John Denver Tribute

A concert by the Friends With You Band features the music of great American singer/songwriter John Denver. They take their name from one of Denver’s hit songs, “Friends With You.” The band does not attempt to “imitate” John Denver, but rather interpret, respect and pay tribute to his enduring musical legacy. The performers, all individual singer/songwriters in their own right, weave a couple of their own songs into the show.

June 6: Planet Rock Experience

Driven by the philosophy “Music Changes Everything,” Planet Rock aims to foster a lifelong love for music among students by emphasizing a blend of practice, performance and education. Planet Rock provides aspiring musicians ages 7 to 18 with the highest level of training in the areas of writing, producing, performing, recording and promotions in the music industry.

July 11: Sounds of Essence, The Magic of Motown

The Sounds of Essence performs a variety of musical genres, including straight ahead jazz utilizing upright or electric bass, contemporary jazz, R&B, old-school Jams, Motown, blues and swing. You’ll recognize the music of Kenny G, Aretha Franklin, Incognito, or Earth, Wind & Fire, to name a few. The Sounds of Essence has opened for R&B recording artist Jennifer Holliday, performed for soul artist Kelly Price, and played at the Montreux-Atlanta International Music Festival.

August 2: Kingsized Elvis Memorial Show

Best known for the Vegas-style revue that sells out twice a year at Variety Playhouse, The Kingsized Elvis Memorial Show celebrates the music of Elvis Presley. Big Mike Geier is not an Elvis impersonator, but he wows audiences with his rich baritone and obvious reverence for the material.

September 5: The Return: Vintage Beatles

The Return performs a song list packed with all the fun and lively tunes the Beatles played while touring, from the Cavern Club days in their hometown of Liverpool, to their last concert performance together at Candlestick Park in 1966. The Return concert is more than reminiscent of a Beatles concert, it’s as close to the real thing as you can get.

October 3: A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show

A1A announces their newest member—Grammy Award Nominee and MTV Video Award Winner, Miss Nadirah Shakoor. Since 1992 Jeff Pike and A1A have been internationally recognized as The Offi cial and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show. A1A performs as a six- piece musical ensemble using three vocals, acoustic guitar, nylon string guitar, electric guitar, pan steel synthesizer guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboards, saxophone and harmonica.

by Caitlin Marvin

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For more information, call 770.641.3705 or go to www.roswellgov.com