Category: Events

This holiday season, it is all about shopping smart. Not only do you have to purchase gifts, but you also have to be mindful of other expenses, like groceries and even your large heating bill. The last thing you want is to go over your budget and then realize you left out a gift. Moreover, with all the relatives coming to town, or even if you are traveling out of town, you don’t want to be stressed and worried about money the whole season – you want to at least relax during the holidays and catch up with family. The holidays are a time of rejoice after all. So, how do you shop smart? Here are five tips to help you shop smart this holiday season.

1. Price check. Before you actually purchase an item – perhaps before you head to the store – you want to make sure that you have some good price comparisons nailed down. If you simply bought items at the first store you visit, you may realize later that you could have saved more money if you shopped elsewhere. Also, another store could have a better discount – you just never know.
2. Do your research. Before you shop, you want to do your research. This is important – not only because it will allow you to find the best price, but because it will also allow you to save time. Shopping smart this holiday season is also about shopping effectively and conveniently. So, be sure to go online and map out your shopping strategy, check prices, map distances and pick a few stores that you may shop from. You may be surprised to find that you will not only save money, but you may save time, which can be quite freeing, especially when everyone else is scrambling around.
3. Shop in the sale section. Many stores have a sale section where items are significantly marked down. Your goal is to find that sale section. When it comes down to it, the sale section is usually at the very back of the store. Items are often marked down 50% to 70% off. In clothing stores, the sale section usually features past seasons, but when it comes to the savings, it is absolutely worth it.
4. Use coupon codes. When you are shopping online, coupon codes may as well be gold, because you can literally save hundreds of dollars by using them. A coupon code is a small code, or password, you can enter at check out that takes a reasonable percentage off your total order. For instance, you can use a Best Buy coupon code to purchase electronics, which can save you a lot of money and you’ll get some really great gifts.
5. Shop online. This one may be obvious, but it is worth noting – if you want to save money this holiday season, you want to shop online. The Internet was invented for smart shopping and all you have to do is utilize its convenience. Not only can you find more affordable items online, but it will be a big time saver too.

If you are planning a large event, the catering equipment that you hire needs to be able to accommodate your guests sufficiently without compromising on quality or style. With the London 2012 Olympics still in full swing, a broad range of events are hosted across the country as the UK celebrates the honour of hosting one of the world’s oldest and most renowned sporting events. To ensure that your event goes smoothly at all times (whether it is an Olympics event or otherwise), consider the following tips for large scale event hire.

Large Scale Event Catering Hire

Before you begin the process of choosing the items you require for your event, it is best to keep the following tips in mind.

• Indoor versus outdoor events. Many events held throughout the summer and even early autumn can be held outdoors, especially events for London 2012 that cater to large numbers of guests. Weather is something that should be kept in mind when selecting the products you wish to hire however. Outdoor seating is often more durable to ensure that it is able to withstand any weather conditions, while indoor seating can be far more elaborate. Banqueting chairs for instance are suited to indoor events, while café chairs and other types of durable seating work best for outdoor events.

• Venue size and capacity. It is always best to overestimate the number of seats, glasses, crockery, cutlery and individual placement items that are required. A large venue will provide sufficient space for extra items, while other venues may have a storage area that is suitable for last-minute changes in guest lists, unexpected guests and any other potential eventuality. Tables should not be too close together either, ensuring that guests are able to be seated easily.

• Lighting and facilities. Bar equipment may be required if the venue does not have these facilities, while the lighting of your event also needs to be considered. There are many new hire products on the market such as LED tables that provide subtle lighting that also adds visual impact to the event. You should also ensure that the venue provides a kitchen and serving staff area that is centrally situated, allowing guests to be served promptly without hassle.

Once you have a clear idea of the venue and space restrictions, you will be able to select the exact products that you need to suit the venue. This simplifies the catering hire process, leaving you free to focus on the myriad other details to plan for your event.