It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Holiday parties are a great way to celebrate and catch up with friends, but they can also be stressful if you need more preparation. Here are some simple tips for organizing your holiday party at home:
The Essentials
Though it may seem obvious, the first thing you need to do when planning a holiday party is making sure you have enough space in your home to host everyone. If possible, arrange for the party to be held outside if it’s nice weather—you can probably find enough room on your patio or deck! But if bad weather is likely and there isn’t any outdoor space big enough for everyone, plan. Make sure ample indoor seating is available for all of your guests (though we recommend reserving some tables next to windows so people can enjoy the view).
The Glamour
The importance of lighting cannot be overstated. It is the first thing your guests will notice when they enter your home, and it sets the stage for the rest of their experience. Choose a warm, inviting lighting scheme that will set your party apart from all others. Candles are a simple but effective option; they’re inexpensive and can be arranged in any number of ways to fit your space and décor.
Music is another underrated aspect that can make or break a holiday party (pun intended). The right music will help everyone feel comfortable, relaxed, and ready to socialize with one another—and it’ll also mask any awkward silences.
Setting Up the Food
- Holiday disposable plates: If you want to make your party food easy and affordable but don’t want the hassle of washing dishes, consider using holiday-themed disposable plates to serve your food. You can get them in various shapes and sizes or buy plain white ones at the dollar store. According to Smarty Had a Party, “Matching plates for your courses means that you’ll have a flow to your event, giving it the feel you want.”
- Making food in advance: Another option is to make as much of your party food as possible in advance so that it’s ready when guests arrive: roast turkey or ham before Thanksgiving; bake cookies during December; pickle vegetables over winter break if they’re in season then; make dips like hummus or guacamole ahead of time; etc. You can also freeze things like grated cheese and breadcrumbs for later use if they fit in your freezer safely.
Festive Decorations
- Decorate with holiday colors. Choose your favorite holiday decorations and display them throughout the house.
- Use your favorite holiday music. Put on some fun, festive tunes while setting up the party and keep it going throughout the evening.
- Serve your favorite holiday foods. If you know what kinds of foods are in season during this time of year, make sure to incorporate those into your menu!
- Have a special drink for guests to enjoy at the party (if alcohol is allowed). If we’re talking about adults only drinking games after dinner, then it may be safe to have wine spritzers on hand for all those pretty drinks.
The most important thing is ensuring everyone has a good time and remembers the event fondly. You can make this happen by ensuring you have plenty of food and drink, music, decorations, and other entertainment options. Remember the cleanup too! Preparing ahead of time will be much easier so that everyone can enjoy themselves without worrying about cleaning up afterwards.
Article by Born Realist