Christmas Party Planning Tips
Posted in Productivity Wednesday
If planning the annual Christmas party provides more stress than fun, you’re going to need to make some changes. Use this online party planning guide to get some quick tips and ideas to simplify your holiday routine and plan festive Christmas celebrations and parties for adults
Get Organized
Keep checklists for all of the things you need to accomplish for your party. Put the most important things at the top and consider leaving off anything that’s not completely necessary.
Send out invitations. Try to give people no less than three weeks’ notice—remember, holiday schedules fill up fast. A good strategy: Invite friends and family by phone, then follow up with a written reminder.
Look over each item on your menu and list everything you’ll need to make it happen. Note each ingredient (including garnishes), then check your pantry and your spice rack. Nothing’s more annoying than thinking “I’m sure I have that” only to find out that you don’t when it’s time to add it to the recipe.
Get Started Early
Waiting until the last few days before your party to cook everything just doesn’t make sense — especially when, if you examine your menu, you’ll see that much of it can be prepared ahead, frozen and reheated. Set a reminder so you don’t forget to defrost in time.
Don’t rule out convenience foods: the bakery does a much better job of baking bread than I do. And why spend time washing and peeling baby carrots when they come packaged that way at the supermarket?
For those things that demand last-minute attention, don’t be proud, be smart: Have meats and cheeses sliced at the grocery store. Buy packaged ice. The idea is to minimize your efforts so you haven’t exhausted yourself before the party even begins.
Clean Your Fridge
It’s not fun to do, but if your refrigerator is cleaned out, it will provide much needed room for food and drinks. Have a cooler on hand (with ice) for any extra food that won’t fit in the fridge.
Keep Snacks Simple
Skip the holiday hors d’oeuvres and set out meat, cheese and vegetable trays from the supermarket. Provide olives, pickles, crackers and dip.
Provide Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Have traditional drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate, eggnog, cappuccino and punch available for those who don’t drink alcohol.
Be Responsible
Don’t let any guests drink and drive. Quit serving drinks an hour before the party ends and have a designated driver or taxicab company # handy for those who overindulge.
Have Your Party Catered
Call your local deli or catering company with a list of food you will need for your party. The expense may be well worth the extra time and relief it provides.
Make it a Group Effort
Ask for help and you shall receive. Surprisingly, it often doesn’t occur to some people to bring some goodies or pitch in and help. They can’t read your mind, so speak up! Clean up is a snap if you provide some extra treats for those who stay to help you clean after the party.
The number one source of your household help should be…your household. As long as they’ve reached coat-carrying age, your children can—and should—pitch in. You may be surprised how good your children feel about helping to clear away glasses, passing hors d’oeuvres and, getting people’s coats for them.
Don’t hesitate to look beyond your doors to relatives, close friends and co-workers. As long as you’re gracious about it and ask in advance, most people are happy to help at parties. It’s an opportunity for them to show off their talents and resourcefulness, and you can couple your request with a promise to reciprocate at their next big event.
Plan Some Entertainment
Whether it’s singing carols or crafts for kids, plan some activities to make your party memorable.
Rent a Room
Consider having your holiday meal in a restaurant or convention room. This way, you won’t have to do the clean up and guests won’t overstay their welcome.
Have a Gift Exchange
Set dollar limits if you’re planning a Christmas gift exchange. Make this optional for guests and consider a theme, such as gag-gifts.
Decorate
Your usual décor is fine. But you may want to add a little goodie for everyone as they leave. Make sure to have enough mistletoe on hand (maybe not at office party). Don’t forget to decorate your guests with nametags if this is a mixed crowd of friends, family, co-workers and others.
Have Fun
Don’t knock yourself out trying to make the party perfect. When people begin to arrive, switch from “work” mode to “party” mode. The best hosts and hostesses are ones that relax and mingle with the guests.
You’ve worked extra hard, you want everything to be perfect and you worry that your guests won’t enjoy themselves if it isn’t. Most people are happy someone has gone to all the trouble it takes to entertain. Take a deep breath and relax before you open the door to your first guest; this is going to be fun.
After all, it’s Christmas. And that alone should bring warmth to everyone’s hearts and smiles to everyone’s faces.
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Comments
One great way to get your spices organized so you always know what you have with with the SpiceStack organizer. It holds up to 27 full-size spices and you won’t waste time looking for that half-empty bottle of ground ginger you know you have in the back of that pantry somewhere….
Check it out at http://spicestack.com and have a happy, healthy, organized season!
Great tips on holiday party planning. We always host an annual potluck for our family and friends, usually the weekend before Christmas. That way, we get to experience new foods, and I don’t have to cook for a ton of people. We also always sit down and watch classic movies. I love watching Frosty the Snowman, and the kids and grandkids love it too. I just found this great DVD collection called The Original Christmas Classics, with 7 of the best Christmas movies on DVD (Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc.). It also came with a great music CD for all of us carolers out there. I am working to support this collection because I love these movies ’cause it really gives everyone that sense of nostalgia and togetherness. Check out your local DVD store for details. What else do you guys do for your traditions? Any other great party ideas? What do you do for crafts?