Christmas Party Tips

If you want to host the Christmas Party of the century then you are going to need to start planning as soon as possible. Don't wait until the week before to plan what you are going to do.

Remember how busy people get the closer it gets to Christmas? You'll want to send out your invitations early. This way, people have plenty of time to schedule their other activities around your party.

Who to invite? Anyone you want. Friends and family are usually the first picks, but you can also invite neighbors, coworkers, fellow church members, or anyone else you think would enjoy coming. If you feel really generous, invite the scrooge you know and maybe they'll catch the Christmas Spirit.

Here's a few things to speed you on your way:

1. Do your planning now. What games will you have? Are you serving finger foods or a catered meal? Is the dress casual, dressy or to a theme? Will there be recorded music or a DJ to play requests? Is this a party with alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages? Are kids invited? What is the capacity of your home? All of these questions will get you started on the planning.
2. Try to have your party on a Saturday afternoon a week or so before Christmas. As Christmas approaches, other people's time (and yours as well) become busier.
3. Get your invitations ready. You can get programs for your computer that will print up cards, or you can have a print shop do it. You can always create your invitations by buying a stack of blank cards.
4. You'll want to send your cards out no later than right after Thanksgiving. Essentials for invitations include the party theme (if you have one), a menu (if catered), the address and time frame. It's not unusual to put an ending time as well as a starting time. Most importantly is to ask for their R.S.V.P.
5. If you are going to have catering, then the responses to your invitations are important. You’ll need an accurate headcount for ordering. If everyone has not responded by the second week in December, call the non-committed invitees and ask for a response.
6. Buy your decorations. Be festive, this is a party, so your home needs to look the part. If your party has a them then you'll want to decorate according to the theme.
7. Many Christmas parties are for adults only. If this is the case with your party, be sure to have included that in the invitation. If children are welcomed then you can decide if the parents will be responsible for looking after the kids or you could have someone provide child care and activities for the youngsters.
8. It's a good idea to move your breakables out of the party zone, especially if there's going to be games. Something is bound to get knocked over or knocked off and break. If there is a bar, offer to drive your guests home if they get inebriated. No one wants their friends to drive drunk and hurt themselves or someone else.
9. If you are serving the food, then try to have as much done ahead of time as possible. This will reduce the amount of stress caused by getting everything set up.
10. Set your house up early that day so that you have time to dress before the caterers arrive (if it's catered) or before the food is ready. Have a list of games and supplies ready beforehand to play at the party.
11. Capture the event forever. Use a digital camera like the Canon Rebel XSi
    

Christmas parties can be so much fun. Make yours a party to remember and more importantly one you as the host can enjoy without stressing over every single detail.