When you're planning a Christmas party, which is usually the biggest party of the year, everything from the location of the party to the menu to the entertainment must create the right holiday mood. For that reason, leave nothing to chance.
Start with the location, and work your way down the list, brainstorming as you go. If you decide to scrap some ideas, you can always use the ideas for Christmas parties next year. The following tips cover everything you need to consider right up to a special visit from Santa:
1. Location: Location is essential. Christmas party venues can include a favorite restaurant, a banquet room in a high-rise apartment building or a bowling alley. But, if you want a truly welcoming feel to your party, you'll host your event from the comfort of your own home. If the party is to be held at your home, make sure everyone has a copy of the directions from the main highway to your house. Also add local landmarks. This is especially important if your home happens to be hard to find.
2. Guest List And Invitations: Don't invite guests who do not get along or who are currently meshed in some type of altercation, as it could end up destroying the mood. Also make clear in the invitations whether or not children are invited. No one should have to guess. It would be equally embarrassing to the guests and to the host if a guest brought her children along when they were not invited. Because Christmas is a busy time, make sure invitations are in the mail several weeks before the party.
3. Food And Drink List: The food and drink list should be well thought out. If the party begins at noon, guests will expect to be fed some type of lunch or brunch, so be prepared. If your intention is for guests to munch or graze on vegetables and goodies, with no main meal, please make a note of this fact in the invitations.
4. To Cater Or Not To Cater: Catering a Christmas party is one way of freeing up your own hands so that you can focus on decorations or last-minute cleaning. But, because it is Christmas, most hostesses enjoy showing off their own signature dishes as well as the decorations around their home. Perhaps you could cater the main meal but create the desserts yourself.
5. Decorations: Decorations are as important to your Christmas party as the food. Don't skimp on decorations. Literally deck the halls with boughs of holly. You can never have too many decorations, but try to avoid being cheesy. Leave the cutsey statues of Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the attic, and don't display a nativity scene if not all of your guests are Christian.
6. Christmas Tree Photo Ops: Plan ahead. Have several cameras on hand, and take plenty of photos with or without Santa at the Christmas tree. Have a little table set up with the camera and a basket of envelopes. Place a note in the basket asking those who would like photos sent to them after the party to fill in their address. After the party, get the film developed, and place photos into the envelope along with a thank-you card. Don't forget to thank guests for anything extra, such as playing the piano during the caroling session.
7. Caroling: Caroling can break the ice at any Christmas party or bring the meal to a close. Either way, set the stage with a piano and a pianist. If one of your guests will do the honors, make sure he is asked well in advance, and offer compensation. Keep the caroling going as long as you have interest. When interest wanes, however, move on to great conversation and a wonderful meal.
8. Christmas Party Activities: Christmas party activities should encourage everyone to come together. Set up craft stations that allow guests to make ornaments they can take home, or have children decorate cookies that you have already baked. A reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" can also boost the Christmas spirit, as would a screening of the classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life."
9. Exchange Gifts: As hostess, you can purchase small gifts for each member of your party, or you can have each guest bring along a gift to exchange. Set a price limit, and decide whether it should be a brand-new gift or a white elephant exchange. Or, if you want to get into the spirit of the season, have everyone bring a blanket or winter coat and some canned goods, which you can then donate to a local shelter.
10. Visit From Santa: Of course no Christmas party would be complete without a visit from St. Nick. Arrange for Santa to pass out bags of goodies to each guest. The goodies can be food items you whipped up the week before. A few items that go over well include popcorn balls, cookies and caramel apples.
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