Planner Debbie Ruiz gives tips on throwing a harvest-themed party

Debbie Ruiz has made a career out of planning parties and holding succesful events. She connects with brides-to-be, local businesses and more through her company, Consider it Done Event Planning. The Lodi resident has experience in organizing conferences, keynote speakers, parties, seminars and corporate workshops.

This month she has turned her attention to preparing for holiday celebrations, which kick off with harvest-themed parties for kids of all ages.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Taking someone's idea and turning it into reality. For example, my friend Lori and I thought it would be great if we had some kind of conference for mothers and daughters. We have lots of conferences for women and lots of conferences for teens, but nothing specifically for them to do together to grow their relationship and strengthen their bonds. We developed the "Fearlessly Female Mother/Daughter Conference."

What types of events do you handle, and how?

Most of the events I handle are company or corporate events; however, Consider It Done handles everything from a simple ribbon-cutting to a 500-guest wedding and everything in between. Currently I'm working on a BizFest and Awards Banquet for BNI Central Valley (which is 10 business classes and open to the public), a "Sweet 16" for a lucky girl, and I just quoted a quinceanera. Last month we did a business expo and book signing. We also do a lot of mobile disc jockey work for parties, weddings and even a divorce party.

What is the first step to planning the perfect party?

The first step, I would have to say, is making sure you pick the right date. The date is crucial. You don't want much competition for your guests, so if you planned a Sweet 16 on the Saturday of the Grape Festival, it might be disastrous. If your awards dinner is on a holiday weekend, your turnout will be low.

The second step is to hire an event planner. The book signing was mine. I co-authored "The Power of Leadership in Business Networking," so I was the guest of honor but also the event planner. I struggled with being in two places at once. It was tough. It was then I realized I should have hired my own event planner.

What kind of decorations would you recommend for a harvest-themed party at one's house?

A harvest party is supposed to celebrate the end of the great harvest, so you'd want scarecrows, pumpkins, wheat, hay and cattails. Fall leaves can bring in the colors of gold, orange and rust. Those are the norm. You could decorate the outside of the house with corn stalks tied in bundles and wooden crates overturned to add colored flowers in front of the corn stalks. Remember scent adds something to it, so scented candles of spiced apple or apple pie, pumpkin pie or cinnamon add to the festivities.

What type of food should I serve?

Debbie Ruiz at a glance

Age: 42.
Family: Married to Frank and has a daughter, Katrina, 17.
Number of years in party-planning business: Almost 10 years and three years as a business.
For more information: www.cidevents.com.
Source: Debbie Ruiz

Food is a must at most events, but unless you're planning on doing dinner I'd suggest just appetizers. Apple tartlets, candied pears, antipasto trays, marinated tomatoes and mozzarella slices, marinated meatballs are pretty universal, stuffed mushrooms, buffalo wings and/or spicy shrimp. If all else fails, chips and dip are always pleasing.

And how do I make sure to please everyone?

You can't. If there is one thing I've learned over the years it's that you can't please everyone. We've also learned that something will go wrong. So plan for what you can and think about the "what ifs." The best thing you can do is plan for the party you want, because if the host or hostess is happy and having a good time then the guests will, too.

What types of games should I have available for the under-12 crowd?

That would depend on how many people under-12 you are going to have. Some of the games you can do are a coloring contest, apple-passing game (in which children line up and have to pass an apple without using their hands), musical chairs using hay bales for the chairs, and the all-popular bobbing for apples — or you might go as far as to get a bounce house.

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Inquisitor wrote on Oct 12, 2009 1:37 PM:

" "Half Full"... overeducated and unemployed, eh? "

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Half Full wrote on Oct 12, 2009 9:03 AM:

" Nice cutesy feature. "Party Planners" are a dime a dozen. The following is not to disrespect Debbie, her skills, her business, or her accomplishments.

Real professionals hold at least a Meeting & Event Planning Certificate from a 4 year university extension program like CSU Sacramento. Dedicated professionals with years of experience may qualify to test for the Certified Meeting Professional designation. Industry groups like "MPI" - Meeting Professionals International, and "ISES" - International Special Events Society are two respectable industry organizations.

Usually a Professional will specialize in one category of events: social parties & weddings, corporate events & parties, meetings & conferences, major conventions, etc.

If anyone is interested in learning about a career in Meeting & Event Planning see the two organizations listed above, and see Sac State's Certificate Program (Extension) for details on earning a Certificate. "

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