Christmas is coming up sooner than you think and it’s never too early to start planning.
With the holidays being such a stressful time, the more organized you are, the better. So as soon as you see those Halloween decorations start to appear, you should start thinking about preparing for Christmas.
If the holiday party is at your house, mid fall is the perfect time to start making a Christmas party checklist. Here are some tips for creating a checklist that covers all your bases.
Decide on a Venue
If you are hosting a large Christmas party, you may want to rent a venue. If this is the case, planning early on is essential. The holidays are a popular time of year so you will need to book early to get the venue you have your eye on.
If you are hosting a party for family and friends, you may decide to have it at your home. If this is the case, be sure your home is clean and clutter free. Also, if you are planning any renovations, have them done before the party so you can make a great impression.
Decide on a Budget
No matter how big or small your party is, creating a budget is essential, especially during this time of year. Decide on one day or a few days when you will be shopping for supplies, food or more, and think about how much you are going to spend on each trip.
If you pick up things here and there, it will be difficult to keep track of how much you spend, and you may find that you have no money left for gifts.
Planning the Invitations
Invitations should be sent out at least three weeks before the party but even before formally inviting everyone, you may want to send out some feelers, even months in advance, to let everyone know when you are planning the party for. The holidays are a busy time of year and you will want to make sure most of your guests will be able to attend.
As the party gets closer, send out reminders so that no one forgets it is happening.
Deciding on the Menu
The food you serve at your party is also very important. You will need to have all the holiday favorites, but consider dietary restrictions as well. Make sure you are providing options for your vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free and whatever-else-free guests.
If you are good at cooking, you may want to give everyone a terrific home cooked meal, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Cooking meals for an entire party can be stressful, especially during the holidays.
If you are not much of a cook, or just want to avoid the stress, catering or potlucks can be good alternatives.
Decorating the Venue
The way you decorate can set the vibe for the entire evening. If you are throwing a family party, home made decorations are more than adequate and if you have lighting and a tree, so much the better. Scented candles can also give your home a terrific holiday vibe.
If you’re hosting your party on a larger scale, think of recreating the venue into a winter wonderland with silver accents, white lighting and metallic elements. This type of igloo décor is the latest craze.
The holidays are coming up quickly, but with the right type of planning, you won’t have to stress. These tips can get you focused on a holiday party that is sure to be the best one yet. Now the only problem is, how will you outdo it next year?
