Should host invite idea discussion to party?
QUESTION: I read about a party in the local newspaper and copied the menu and decorations for my own party. It was a huge success, but should I have told the guests about lifting the ideas?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: Only if you feel like it! It isn’t wrong to copy in that way. Imitation is the biggest form of flattery. That is a compliment in my book.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: I don’t think you have to announce to each guest as they arrive that you copied the idea, but it’s always nice to give credit to the creative people behind your own success. If guests compliment you on the party, you could say you got your ideas from XYZ source. The execution of these ideas perfectly falls solely on you, but I also like it when people credit their inspiration instead of lifting ideas silently. I don’t think it detracts from your success at all. Magazines know they serve this role, and I would credit them, too. But if I were using the menu and decorations from a local party as my own, I would definitely make it a point to give the source a nod.
HELEN’S ANSWER: How great it is that our newspapers and magazines have such good ideas for our parties. We can get decorating thoughts from one and menu ideas from another. Then we can make the ideas our own and personalize them for the occasion. Keep reading!
GUEST’S ANSWER:Linda Miller, fashion writer and author of Fashion Blog “Fashion Matters”: Who among us doesn’t find inspiration for fashion, decorating, food or parties in magazines, online, on television or even the newspaper?
We see what we like and make it our own. If someone had specifically asked how you came up with the idea or theme, it would have been fine to share. But it’s not something you have to announce as guests come in the door.