Gift shopping for your loved ones may be one of the essential aspects of the Christmas season. But if you think about the real focal point of the holiday season, it’s the Christmas parties. What better way to celebrate the most festive holiday of the year than hanging out with your friends and loved ones in one place? What’s more, hosting a Christmas party is also a good time to dress up in formal wear or in matching Christmas pajamas while enjoying tons of food.
Perhaps you’ve always been a guest to every Christmas party your friends or family throw at. Maybe this year, you’re thinking of being the host of the party. As fun as throwing a party can be, sometimes, you can’t help but feel pressured and overwhelmed over the idea of wanting to organize an epic Christmas party.
Whether this is your first time or tenth time hosting a party, here are some tips to help you organize and throw a Christmas party that your guests will surely remember all year round.
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Set The Tone First
Before you even think of who your guests will be and what food you must prepare, you need to plan first the tone of your Christmas party. Do you want to throw a formal party that requires them to wear cocktail dresses and suits? Or maybe, you want to throw something fun and out of the box that involves wearing costumes or ugly sweaters.
Your choice of tone will also be your guide in decorating the Christmas venue. If you’re going for a classy party, you may need to use lots of holidays flower arrangements to set the party’s tone. The tone will also help you decide which foods to serve. Overall, make sure to pick a tone as early as possible so you’ll have plenty of time to decide with the food and decorations and give your guests more time to prepare their party attires and free their schedule.
Invite The Right People
One of the reasons a Christmas party can go awkward and tense is because you’re inviting the wrong people. While the holiday season is about opening your doors to people, make sure you’re opening it to the right ones. Imagine inviting a couple of guests you barely know or don’t get along too well, and you both end up having a tense conversation and ruin the party. You and your guests might remember this Christmas party in the worst way.
So, if you want to host a party that will surely put everyone at ease, create a guest list and fill it with names with who you get along super well. Moreover, make sure you also have an idea of how your guests will get along with the other groups. That said, it’s ideal that the majority of your guests know each other. Once you’ve finalized your guest list, you may start sending out some customized invitations for them.
Don’t Slack On Your Playlist
Aside from your decorations, your party playlist is also an important factor in setting the right tone for the party. Make sure your playlist will fit into the party’s theme. Think about Christmas songs by Dean Martin, Sinatra, and other classic artists if you’re having the traditional formal Christmas party. Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the upbeat songs if you want your guests to go dancing and pumping on the dance floor. If you want something different, you can ask your guests to request their favorite Christmas tunes and play them.
Plan The Menu Ahead
The party will never be complete without the food and drinks. Planning the food and beverages can be challenging, especially if you have guests that have food restrictions. To alleviate stress, it’s best to plan your menu as early as possible. This way, you’ll have time to ask your guests for suggestions about the foods or drinks they want to have.
Moreover, your Christmas party is also the best time to flex your cooking skills. Aside from their suggestions, make sure you serve your recipes or bake your own Christmas cookies and cupcakes. Just don’t forget to serve healthy options like fruits, vegetables, and water, as some of your guests might be working on avoiding extra calories this holiday season.
Designate A Dessert Table
The party isn’t just the same without desserts. So, aside from the main serving table filled with the main dishes and drinks, it’s also a good idea to set aside a separate table for the desserts. You can fill this table with sweets like cookies, chocolate fountains, chocolate products, cake, candy canes, pies, and so much more. For finishing touches, don’t forget to display them nicely on a decorated table to make them look fancier and more eye-catching.
Have A Photo Booth
What’s the best way to immortalize Christmas party memories? It’s through pictures! Aside from the food, dances, and games, having a photo booth will also make the party more fun. So, save your guests from taking pictures on the phone and let them take professional photos at the photo booth. You can rent a photo booth or create your own if you have the right tools (e.g., camera, tripod, backdrop, photo props).
Takeaway
The easiest way to spread the Christmas cheer and lift the people’s holiday spirits is through Christmas parties. So, remember these tips and start planning your upcoming Christmas party. If all goes well as planned, your party will surely be the talk of the town until next Christmas.