Hosting a holiday party can take your stress level from 0 to 60 in a blink. But with the proper preparation, it is possible to put your anxiety at bay and enjoy your party just as much as your guests! To help you create a seamless and fun process that doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out, we’re giving you ten of our best hosting tips to ensure you will enjoy every moment this holiday season!
1. Make A List And Check It Twice
Seeing all of your “to-dos” in one place will help you get organized and put the pieces together and will ensure you won’t forget anything important (i.e., any guest allergies, napkins, gifts, etc.)! Helpful tip: organize your to-dos by week leading up to the event. The week of, arrange them by day!
2. Utilize Apps
There’s no better way to get organized (and major party inspo) than by using apps. Keep your lists and ideas in apps like Evernote, Wunderlist, or your good old fashioned Notes app. And gather inspiration from applications like Pinterest and Keep. If you are throwing a large party, try the Pro Party Planner app to help keep all your ducks in a row, like importing your guest list, keeping your shopping lists, and delegating tasks!
3. Preparation Is Key
Leading up to your event, it’s essential to prepare anything and everything you can so you aren’t left scrambling and stressed the day of your party. There’s nothing better than feeling confident and at ease when you are the hostess. A week before your event, get all of your decor and party essentials. Three days before the party, go grocery shopping and stock up! A day or two before, plan on prepping the majority of your food, so you aren’t slaving away in the kitchen, neglecting your guests the day of. Practical preparation will allow you to enjoy your party just as much as your guests!
4. Contract Out
Not everything needs to be DIY at your holiday party. You can hire a caterer to bring the food for you or pick up a gorgeous dessert from your local bakery. If you need extra help, hire a chef and/or servers to take the weight off your shoulders and give you the freedom to mingle with your guests.
5. Incorporate A Holiday Tradition
Whether it’s a signature cocktail, a dessert, or a gift exchange, incorporating a holiday tradition will provide a topic of conversation and a gracious welcome to guests who attend year after year. For the new guests, a warm holiday tradition will make them feel right at home!
6. Don’t Over Do It
It’s easy to overdo it during the holiday season, but try to keep the decorations and menu simple. Have a few staple pieces that embellish your holiday details and one or two lavish menu items. Keeping a minimalist mindset will create an elegant ambiance and keep your headaches to a minimum.
7. Add Personal Touches
A little personal touch can make all the difference. They don’t need to be lavish or take up all of your time to create, either! Small gifts for your guests to take home, like a festive jar of homemade goodies, is a fun surprise, or try handwriting name cards or creating a celebratory cocktail. These small finishes go a long way and will make your guests feel extra special.
8. Don’t Forget The Music
Set the mood with a variety of your favorite holiday tunes. Use Spotify to create your own mix of music, or let Pandora do the work for you!
9. Give Back To Your Community
The holidays aren’t the holidays without gift giving. Ask your guests to bring a toy for a child in need. After your party, donate all of the toys to your local children’s hospital, boys and girls club, or other charity of your choice!
10. Take Photos
Hire a photographer to take photos of your holiday event and upload them to a photo-sharing site like Dropbox. For your party guests, create a hashtag so they can tag their photos when they post them to Instagram, allowing everybody at the party to find them!
