Parties are a staple of the holiday season. Everyone from co-workers to friends and families are getting together to celebrate another year gone by. If you plan to throw a holiday party, there are some simple tips you can follow to make your party a success. Your party doesn’t even have to be expensive or fancy or formal, it just has to be fun.
Set The Date Early
People’s calendars fill up fast, especially during the holiday season. The earlier you can set your party date, the better. And once you pick a date, stick with it. Get those invitations out so potential guests can RSVP as early as possible. While the weekends are the most popular days for parties, a Friday night will also work.
Who Are You Inviting?
There’s a huge difference between a party with just family and a party with co-workers and a larger group of friends. The former is going to be much more intimate because you know your family well and can make a pretty good guess about what they’ll expect. On the other hand, a party for co-workers and/or large groups of friends is much broader.
Do The Cooking Ahead Of Time
You don’t want to miss your own party. Get all the cooking out of the way before your guests arrive so you can enjoy their company instead of being tied to the kitchen all night. The food will involve a lot of planning on your part, but good food can make a great party even better. Also, don’t forget about guests with food allergies. There’s nothing worse than showing up for a holiday party and realizing you can’t eat anything. Have a variety of snacks and drinks on hand for everyone to enjoy.
If your party is for your co-workers, be mindful of the alcohol you serve. This is always a touchy subject so it’s worth mentioning. Nothing will be more awkward than going back to work after one or more of your co-workers got drunk and ruined the party. Don’t be afraid to cut someone off if they’re getting a little too tipsy. And keep a large variety of non-alcoholic drinks available for those who choose not to imbibe.
Party Games
You’re never too old to play games. Plan some games your guests can play while waiting for dinner, as an icebreaker at the beginning of the party, or just as a way to keep everyone engaged. Games will also keep your guests interacting with one another, ensuring no one feels left out. Try to think of games that are easy to play and won’t require a lot of instruction. Classic games such as holiday-themed Pictionary or trivia games like Scene It are always popular. But feel free to get creative with your games and come up with your own. And remember, it’s okay to be silly.
Relax!
Throwing a party can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Do you really think anyone will notice if you forgot a decoration or two? Will the party be ruined if you have plain white napkins instead of holiday-themed napkins? Probably not. Keep things in perspective. Guests will remember the fun they had, not all the little details you spent so much time stressing out over.
Also, make sure to enlist the help of others. For example, if cooking is not your thing, then have the party catered. Or make it a potluck, where all the guests bring a dish for everyone to enjoy. If you know someone who is good with games, make them in charge of picking and running the games for the night.
Finally, the holidays only come around once a year. Throw the kind of party that you would want to attend.