Planning the perfect holiday party

Are you a regular when it comes to hosting parties?

Or will you be hosting your first this year? 

Maybe it’s the first party you’re throwing in a while?

Either way, I have some ideas and tips to help get you started, even if you’re a veteran party host(ess)…

• Choose a date and time

  • Friday or Saturday is obviously the best night - 7pm start?

• Pick a theme

  • Ugly sweater. Black tie. Pajamas. Apres ski. Vegas. Hollywood mixer. The list goes on.

• Guestlist

  • Who are you inviting and is it kid friendly?

    • Create a fun invite on Canva or send via Paperless Post or Evite.

    • If you want this to be an adults only party, ensure this is very clear on your invite

• Menu

  • Dinner or cocktail style?

  • Consider any dietary restrictions of the guests

  • Are you preparing food or catering?

    • If preparing, start your list of what you need to buy

    • If catering, do you want it delivered hot? Or do you want to hire a chef to come in? Servers?

• What are we drinking? (I’m invited right ;))

  • Consider - Wine, Bubbly, Spirits, Beer, and the non-alcoholic drinks like mixes, soft drinks, sparkling and regular water, juice if kids

  • Will you have a themed drink?

  • Don’t forget the ice, lemons, limes, orange slices, salt rim and other garnish

• Decorations

  • Do you need additional decorations to support your theme?

• Activities or Entertainment

  • Are there any games that would fit your party theme?

• Music!

  • Pick a playlist or create one

  • Or hire a DJ (…or even a band)

• Will you hire servers? At minimum, I recommend hiring a bartender - so you can enjoy the night and don’t have to worry about people being drink less.

• Clean House

  • Reminder to ensure your house is cleaned before the party - nobody wants to trip over dust bunnies ;)

Tips:

• Create a checklist.

• Book a cleaner to come in and clean your home prior to the party…and even the day after the party. You’ll thank me!

• Rent drinkware if you do not have enough of your own. And you don’t have to do the dishes.

• Consider hiring servers and, at minimum, a bartender so you can enjoy the night with friends and don’t have to worry about anyone going drink-less.

• More food and drinks are always better than not enough! If you don’t think it’s enough, order more.

• On your invite, suggest guests carpool, stay over or take Uber instead of driving - be the responsible host and ensure everyone gets home safe.

Now if you need some help planning this party…email me or book a call here. I love planning these types of things! I’ll take care of all the details. Find the caterer, hire staff, create the invitations, order the drinks, you name it!

PS…if you’re attending a holiday party, don’t forget a gift for the host(s)! Stay tuned for some great ideas in my next post.