Every year, year after year, the holiday parties start as soon as the clock strikes 12…December that is. There’s the obligatory office party. Always a good time. Then, there’s the family party. If everyone is on their best behavior, you can get through the night without having to disown anyone. The Christmas parties thrown by friends, and friends of friends, and friends of your husband, etc. are more your speed. Not that family and coworkers are chopped meat or anything. It’s just that social gatherings, among friends, is less common during the year than seeing your family or coworkers. So, many relish this as a time to reconnect with the friends whose faces fade throughout the year.
Wait. Party at work. Party with the family. Party with friends. When’s your party? Parties can be a daunting undertaking, yes, and a successful holiday party harder still. The hardest thing about throwing a party is finding a balance between happy guests and being a happy host/hostess. Because let’s face it, you may love your friends but free booze and a buffet to die for costs a lot of money, time and energy. At the end of the night, you want to say you not only threw a great party but you were able to enjoy it, as well.
So, how do you find a balance and ensure your holiday shindig goes off without a hitch? Well, here are few things you may or may not have thought of:
- Planning is key. Sure, you can do a “fly by the seat of your pants” deal, but it will show.
- Lists, lists, and more lists. Decide what kind of party it is you want to have—casual, formal, dinner—then make a list of what you need to accomplish those things. (There will of course be deviations, but it never hurts to go into the situation with a plan.)
- Don’t overextend yourself. More people, more work.
- If you don’t feel comfortable asking invited guests not to invite others, allow for 1 extra person per invited guest or couple. Then, count them among the number of people you prepare for, and for which you can comfortably manage.
- If doing a dinner party, plan a menu that has some make ahead dishes. This will lessen the amount of work that will need your attention immediately before the party starts, leaving time to make yourself pretty. Also try to plan a menu that requires you to be away from your guests a limited amount of time.
- Plan “getting to know you” activities. This helps those who don’t know each other to become familiar enough with each other to start their own conversations, and not require your attention as much. You don’t want people to leave because you’re the only one they know, and you are busy mingling with everyone, not just them. There are a wealth of game ideas on the internet.
- Everyone doesn’t bring hostess gifts, but some still extend the courtesy. If you’re not a wine drinker or fear receipt of a trinket that you’re going to be forced to use or display, then give suggestions on your invitations. *Tips: In the spirit of the holidays, ask guests to bring a canned food or food item for donation to a charity.
- Nametags! It seems corny but it’s another thing that frees you up to mingle. You can set up a lively, fun way for guests to come in and make their own tags.
- Though you want to keep things moving along, don’t set too rigid an “itinerary,” making guests feel like they’re in school rather than at a party.
- The devil’s in the details. You can surely throw together a party with little muss or fuss. However, then, you will have a party that reflects little muss or fuss. When you take the time to plan, and prepare for what may come—clogged toilets, canceled babysitters, burned dishes, late guests, DJ with no music…it happens—then you can anticipate issues before they happen, have a Plan B and relax and enjoy your party instead of running around putting out fires all evening.
Parties can be tense, back-breaking, exhausting headaches. However, when done right…or at least done thoughtfully, they can be back-breaking and maybe a little exhausting but fun-filled headaches. It can be done. Implement a few, if not all of our suggestions and become a party THROWER and not just a party GOER this holiday season!
