Did Someone Say “Holiday Party?”
I absolutely love the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. Always have. Always will. There is just something in the air this time of year, and there is nothing about it I do not enjoy. There is the decorating (both inside AND outside the house, of course), sending and receiving Christmas cards, and gift wrapping - even the spending of money does not bother me, as I find it enjoyable to select gifts for people who are special to me.
Bar none for me, however, are the holiday parties. What could be better than friends having an excuse to get together (in their fuzzy attire), eat, drink, and be merry? It is a beautiful thing. I love attending these kinds of parties, and I thoroughly enjoy hosting festive gatherings as well. Admittedly, hosting can be a daunting task, and it is easy to become overwhelmed, so the following are the 5 tips I always keep in mind when planning a successful holiday soiree.
A Little Décor Goes a Long Way – Decorating is not everyone’s cup of tea. I get it. If you are going to host a holiday party, though, make sure you put out a little effort into this department. Otherwise, what differentiates it from a regular dinner party or barbeque? If decorating is something you dread, something as simple as a few Poinsettia arrangements, a wreath on your front door, or some carefully scattered holly around the entertaining area of your home will give off that spirit of the holidays.
Make Sure That Bar Is Fully Stocked – The bar is always stocked in our house (a la Don Draper), but some never think of stockpiling spirits unless a special occasion is fast approaching. While it can be the most costly aspect of entertaining, it is essential. Keep in mind that everyone does not drink the same thing. You will need clear libations, whiskeys and bourbons, beer, red wine, and white wines, and it never hurts to have a little bubbly in the refrigerator. As an aside, note that not everyone may want an alcoholic beverage, so I ensure there are several kinds of sodas, iced tea, etc., on hand for those who prefer it.
The Menu Matters – There should be a certain amount of variety in the spread laid out before your guests, it should look inviting, and it should be something special for the holidays. Most people walk away from an occasion remembering the food, first and foremost, and holiday parties are ALL about small plates with an array of goodies. I try and make sure there are vegetarian options, something substantial for the carnivorous guests, and a healthy mix of sweet and salty options. I avoid becoming stressed and overwhelmed by the menu by making out my menu a couple of weeks before the big day and chopping, dicing, and mixing as much as possible a day in advance of the big party.
Set the Atmosphere With Music – I am extremely aware that music may be the most subjective of all art forms. Plenty of arguments have arisen in our household about the selection of music at any given time or event. Even with that being the case, put some holiday music on in advance of your guests’ arrival time. It does not feel very jolly or festive to walk into a silent house or with only a few people standing around awkwardly, trying to make conversation. Music can put your guests at ease and be an inadvertent icebreaker to get that party started, as the kids like to say. It is difficult to imagine anyone disagreeing over Nat King Cole’s “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” playing on your sound system. It just does not get any more Christmas-y than that.
Mingle! – Odds are, if someone is attending your holiday party, then he or she probably likes you and wants to visit and catch up with you, and this is the season for that. I know firsthand that being a hostess can be an all-consuming task, and you feel the need to constantly be cleaning and keeping everything in order. That sink full of dishes can wait until the following morning, though. Do as much cooking and cleaning in advance, and you can feel comfortable mingling and partying the night away. Cheers!
