Party Hosting Tips for the Holidays

The Holiday's are upon us, which means for some of us, hosting parties and family/friends. The most wonderful time of year can often be a stressful one, especially when hosting people in your own home. Below are some helpful party hosting tips to get you through the ultimate holiday party.  

Food

Meal Plan - Planning your meals ahead of the event, as well as picking up any necessary groceries ahead of time, will help alleviate stress before you're big party.

Cook/Prepare in Advance - Cooking food in advance will give you more time on the day of the party. Also, prepping the night before is a huge time saver!

Share Food - Host potluck style! Let guests know to each bring a dish, appetizer or dessert and this will cut down on the amount of cooking you have to do, as well as stress.

Dishes - Go disposable! With a large party/meal, dishes can pile up quickly while cooking and eating. If you don't want to use disposable dishes, wash as you go as this will save a huge headache post party.

Stocked Food - Have plenty of food on hand! If you're providing snacks or appetizers to munch on, ensure that you don't run out. You don't want hungry guests!

Activities

Games - Be game ready! A Holiday party is not complete without some sort of games! Whether you prefer board games, card games or holiday games, have something in mind for playing during your party.

Movie & Popcorn - Will there be kids at your holiday event? Put together a movie experience with a holiday movie and popcorn for the kids to chill out and have their own space. 

Party Theme

Whether your hosting Christmas at your home or a holiday party leading up to Christmas, you can always have a theme for your party. Winter Wonderland, Flannel & Frost, Mad for Plaid, Jingle & Mingle are just a few ideas. Pinterest has a lot of great ideas for holiday party themes.

Looking for more ideas for hosting Christmas? Host a Favorite things party! There are many different ways to host a Favorite Things Party, but here are some general rules. Guests can bring a set number of their favorite things (bring 1 favorite thing - leave with 1, bring 3 favorite things - leave with 3, etc). Set a budget! Let guests know how much to spend on their favorite things ($10 or less is a good budget). To find out more ideas and details on how to play, visit mylifeandkids.com. What a fun idea to do with your family on Christmas day!

For more homeowner tips and trends, check out our design section on the blog.