So you want to be a Christmas Gala Table Hostess…

Thank you!  

This is probably one of Salem’s biggest events of the year and we couldn’t do it without you.  While you may be wondering what you’ve gotten yourself into, we think you’ll find that hosting a table is a lot of fun.  Listed below are some tips, tricks and answers to questions you didn’t even know you had.  A shopping checklist is also included for your convenience.

Theme

Your theme does not have to be overtly Christmas.  Some examples of past table themes:

• Seasonal:  Winter, Tropical/Beach
• Christmas Song, Book, Board Game or Movie: Brown Paper Packages, Gatsby Christmas, You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out, All is Calm, All is Bright
• Cultural/Traditional:  Italian Christmas, Irish Christmas, Feliz Navidad
• Animals:  Owls, Woodland Creatures, Birds, Deer
• Colors:  Silver and Gold, Wrapped in Red, Buffalo Plaid
• Food:  Caffeinated Christmas, Candy Christmas, It’s a “Ginger” Snap
• A Word or Scripture:  Love, As the Deer Pants for Water, Redemption/Restoration

The list could keep going!  Find something that you like and go with it!  

Pinterest and Google are wonderful tools as well. ☺

Tables

Tables comfortably seat 8 people-The Hostess and 7 of her guests (Ladies 18 and up only).

The tables are 96” length and about 30” wide.  You will need a 108” tablecloth or piece of fabric. Try ordering online or shopping at Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, Wal-Mart or other craft stores. If purchasing fabric, just let them know you need 108” and the width of the fabric will be plenty to cover the 30” table width.

Keep in mind the table width for your décor and set up so you leave room for your place settings and centerpieces.

Since it is a fundraiser, most hostesses choose to auction their centerpiece, but it is not required.  Please indicate on the hostess sheet if you are auctioning your centerpiece and if so, exactly what you are auctioning.

Tables (Continued)

Hosting both nights?  You have the option to use the same theme on Thursday & Friday.  Simply purchase double the amount of favors and place settings.  You can auction 1 centerpiece each night or hold your centerpiece for the Friday night auction only.  Please indicate on your hostess sheet if you will hold your centerpiece for the Friday auction.

 You will need to include at your table dessert sized plates (6-7”), napkins and flatware.  

You may also include glasses or cups to finish out your settings but note that cups will be provided as part of beverage service.

 You are required to provide a favor for each guest.  You can connect your favor to your theme or to help accent your table.  

While not required, many hostesses find it helpful to have gift bags for their guests to take their favors home in.  They can be pinned to the back of your chair as décor! 

Tasty table snacks are also fun for guests to enjoy prior to dessert.  

Simple additions like a table runner, bows, and candles can add a nice touch to your table.  Just don’t forget a lighter if using wax candles.

If possible, practice setting up your table at home.  This will allow you to see if you need more items or if you have too many so you can change anything you don’t like.

Allow yourself more time than you think you need to set up at the church.  This gives you leeway to relax and change anything if needed or for you to run out if you have forgotten something.  

Dessert

You must provide a dessert for all guests at your table.  Your dessert may be an individual serving per guest (cup of mousse) or one item for the table (cake).

Your dessert does not have to match your theme exactly.  You can make something or buy something yummy.  However, if you want it to go along with your theme you can plate it in a way that fits. For example: if you have a hot cocoa theme, make cupcakes and plate them in mugs and have the frosting look like whipped cream.

Please remember that dessert must be made and set up at home.  You will not be able to use the kitchen the nights of the Christmas Gala. You will also need to bring your own serving utensil if your dessert requires one. 

Shopping

Good stores to go to include: Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Walmart, any Dollar Store, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Restore, and Target. And of course, shop online!

Use the buddy system. Shop with a friend, family member or fellow hostess (it can be a great bonding experience). Let people know what your theme is so others can be on the lookout for items you may need.  In the past, women have been quick to tell each other when they found something that may go along with someone else’s table.

Look for sales and coupons.  Your table does not have to cost as much as everyone will think it did!

Tickets

You will receive 7 tickets. The tables seat 8 comfortably so that leaves room for you and 7 guests.

Don’t be afraid to ask family, friends, co-workers or people in the church if they would like to attend. 

Remember to collect payment before you hand out the ticket.  This is extremely important.

Use the provided checklist to keep track of how many tickets you have sold or who you invited and are holding tickets for until payment is received. The checklist is for your record keeping and does not need to be turned in.

Ask early!  During the holiday season calendars get booked up quickly. 

Hostesses do not have to pay for a ticket for the night(s) they are hosting.

Ticket money and any unsold tickets are due to Doreen by 11/19. Please make sure your name and table night are on the envelope.  Please write your name and hosting night on the back of the unsold tickets before turning them in.  Unsold tickets will be sold by the church via the Info Center. 

Once tickets are turned in, please do not sell them/promise them to anyone as this could cause double booking.  If someone is interested in attending, please instruct them to check at the Info Center or call the church office for availability.

Remember…if you turn everything in and sell all your tickets by 11/19 you are entered in a drawing for a special prize!

Important Dates

9/15  Hostess Folders with tickets will be distributed.

10/17 Brief Hostess Meeting via Zoom to go over a few logistics and answer any initial questions anyone has.

11/17  Hostess Meeting after church. Ticket money and unsold tickets are due to Doreen along with your Hostess Information sheet that indicates your theme. Remember if you sell all your tickets and turn everything in on time you will be entered into the running for a special prize!

12/2  A seating chart will be sent via STO telling you where your table is. Tables will also be marked when you arrive.

12/4 Thursday night Hostesses have the option of setting up at the church between 

5:00 & 7:00 pm. Please look for your marked table. (You may also have the option of setting up during the day during regular church office hours).

12/5  The Thursday night Christmas Gala!  The church will be open 10:00am – 5:00pm for set up. You must be set up NO LATER than 5:00pm!  We want to allow Ian enough time to take pictures and coordinate details for the Auction. 

Hostesses please plan to arrive by 6:15pm and be available at your table for when your guests arrive.

Friday night Hostesses have the option of setting up at the end of Thursday night’s event. Please just allow a few moments for clean up,etc. and for the tables to be marked.

12/6  The Friday night Christmas Gala!  The church will be open 10:00am – 5:00pm for set up. You must be set up NO LATER than 5:00pm!  We want to allow Ian enough time to take pictures and coordinate details for the Auction.

Hostesses please plan to arrive by 6:15pm and be available at your table for when your guests arrive.

***Above all, have fun!! The beauty of the Gala is having women from all different ages and backgrounds come together to be Christ’s body in action! It is always amazing to see everyone’s unique and creative ideas come together to raise money for a great cause.***

Table Needs Shopping List

Required Items

• 108” tablecloth or fabric Tables are 96” length and about 30” wide.)
• 8- dessert sized plates (6-7”) 1 for you and 7 guests 
• Napkins
• Flatware (Fork, knife, spoon)
• Centerpiece & décor matching your theme
• Favor for each of your guests 
• Dessert for your table (homemade or store bought)
• Serving utensil for your dessert (if needed)

Optional Items

• Cups that go with your theme (Generic punch cups and hot cups are provided on the drink tables)
• Bags for your guests to put their favor/items in 
• T-pins to hang bags on chairs (Search T-Pins on Hobby Lobby site for example)
• Bows/ribbon for your chairs (Enough to wrap around horizontally or vertically)
• Charger or placemat below each plate, layer up to add depth to the plate and tabl