Holiday parties are a fun way to get together and celebrate with friends and family.
However, if you’re the one in charge of putting all the pieces together to throw the perfect party, there’s no doubt you’re feeling a little (or a lot) overwhelmed.
And while anyone can throw a party, you likely want to throw one that will be a warm memory for years to come. Not sure where to start? Here are four tips to help you plan an unforgettable holiday party.
Create Your Party Invitations
Everyone receives holiday cards from friends and family; however, have you ever considered using a holiday photo card as a party invitation? Take advantage of this option to customize both the picture(s) and wording to set the tone for the fun festivities that are sure to follow. Plus, the custom envelope and addressing options will save you time and money.
Choose an Unforgettable Theme
If you want to plan an unforgettable holiday party, it’s wise to steer clear of the standard red and green décor. Instead, let your imagination run wild for your holiday party theme. Perhaps Christmas in Vegas or a Holiday auction to raise money for those in need is the kind of party your friends are craving. Or, for a group of parents with piles of gifts to wrap, a Wrap and (W)rum party would be fun. Better yet, if your group of friends and family is on holiday overload, a Scrooge theme could give them all a welcome getaway from the holiday cheer. Whatever you choose, have fun with it! It’s your party, after all, so let your personality shine through.
Serve a Signature Dish
Though the food selections can often be the most daunting part of party planning, it doesn’t have to be. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to cook everything, focus on having one or two homemade signature dishes. You can plan to purchase some pre-made options and ask your close friends to bring their signature dishes, too. This way, you’re sure to have a wide variety of options for your party guests to choose from without the headache of cooking a large meal for everyone.
Add an Unexpected Touch
The best way to throw a unique holiday party is to add an element of surprise. You know your friends and family best. What unexpected touch could you add to bring a smile to all their faces? Perhaps you can plan for Santa to arrive with gifts for all the party guests. Or have a bubble machine in the backyard to add a bit of whimsey. Does your group need to blow off some steam? An adult piñata could lead to lots of laughs, too. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s something your guests will be talking about for a long time to come.
Give Them Something to Talk About for Years to Come
Though planning an unforgettable holiday party might feel a bit overwhelming at first, these four tips will help guide you through the process. Start with a twist by using holiday photo cards as custom invitations and a way to tease your theme to get your guests excited about attending. Then, choose an unforgettable theme and add in a few signature dishes to complement the events of the night. Don’t forget to ask your friends for some help with the food to take some of the stress off your shoulders. And, finally, make sure to end the night with something unexpected so your guests leave with smiles on their faces and warm memories to talk about for many holidays to come.