Gathering together with family and friends is one of the best parts about the festive season, but pulling off a flawless celebration requires lots of planning and preparation. Get a jump start on the process by following these tips for hosting a holiday party at home!
Make a list:
First and foremost, you should definitely create a to-do list as you begin thinking about festive party ideas. Even if you don’t end up following the list to the T, it will help you to organise your thoughts and prioritise tasks. Ask yourself questions like:
Am I buying or making food? Should I offer party games? What’s a realistic budget?
Think like a guest:
When it comes to hosting a Christmas party at home, it’s a good idea to put yourself in the shoes of your guests. Think about what the experience will be like for them from the moment they are greeted at the door to the moment they leave. Is there a place for guests to store their valuables when they arrive? Where can they set down presents and food contributions? Is there a designated seating area? Where can they grab drinks and appetisers?
Choose a theme:
While there’s no rule book that says you must have a theme for your festive extravaganza, it makes your home look more magical. Sticking to a festive theme creates cohesion in your space and, of course, impresses your guests.
Remember that your theme can be as simple as choosing a colour scheme or festive-themed motif like snowflakes.
Remove breakables:
A general tip for hosting holiday parties is to try and reduce your stress as much as possible. That’s why removing any breakables or valuables from your entertaining space is a good idea. The last thing you want to worry about as your hosting is whether or not curious kids are going to knock over your antique vase or precious art piece.
Cook ahead:
If you’re brave enough to cook most of the food you’ll be serving at your party, this tip is meant for you. Rather than make it all on the day of the party, try your best to prepare as many dishes as you can ahead of time. Even if you cook some of the food the night before, it will still taste delicious the following day!
In addition to cooking ahead, be sure to stock up on plenty of snacks and finger foods, as well as beverages.
Consider buffet-style food:
Who doesn’t love a good buffet dinner? If you have quite a few guests attending your celebration, consider having a more relaxed atmosphere with buffet-style food. Not only will it take pressure off of you having to serve everyone, it will encourage your guests to move around and mingle as they grab their plate of goodies.
To put this party idea in action, move your buffet table away from the wall so that guests can form lines on either side.
Set the mood with music:
Is it really a holiday party without the soft sounds of classics like ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’? Set the mood for your gathering by playing seasonal tunes as quiet background noise.
Always overestimate:
Whether it’s drinks, dinnerware, or food, always overestimate the amount of supplies you need for your celebration. Hosting a Christmas party at home is stressful enough, but it’s a lot worse when you have to make a last-minute grocery run during the event.
Arrange strategically:
Whenever there’s a party, people tend to gather around the food. Because of this, experts suggest strategically putting food stations where you want your guests to socialise. Want them to mingle around the living room and bar? Spread out your dishes in both areas and it will encourage your friends to socialise in that space.
Tackle a deep clean:
This tip for hosting a holiday party goes without explanation. The deep clean is probably one of the most dreaded preparatory tasks of hosting, but there’s no way around it. From vacuuming and mopping to dusting and cleaning the bathroom, make your home spick-and-span for your guests’ arrival.
Follow these festive party ideas and your gathering is sure to be one for the memory books!
