Hosting a holiday party might sound like an intimidating feat or something that only domestic professionals can achieve. We decided to straighten out this misconception and compiled some resources and ideas for hosting a holiday party without breaking the bank or losing your mind. Sound impossible? Read on!
Gather
So you want to host a holiday party and you already have visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. Awesome. But you simply can’t have a party without guests! Make sure your friends know well in advance about this occasion so they can fit it into their crowded holiday schedules. You could opt to invite your guests via text, send a simple Evite with the details, or get crafty with one of these adorable invitations.
You can print one of these FREE printable party invitations from Greetings Island. Customize the card by filling in your own details and then download the printable file!
Take it to the next level with this DIY woodland party invitation from Oh Happy Day.
Or print out this light garland printable invitation and grab your scissors! We love this fun look — plus it’s free!
Tone down the colors and turn up the class with a “Winter Wonderland” holiday invitation, customized through a graphic designer on Etsy.
Decorate
Before any ovens are preheated or candles are lit, you must ensure that your home is properly decorated for the evening’s feast and festivities. We recommend doing this well in advance so as to avoid unnecessary stress or last-minute trips to the store on the day of the party. It also allows you to enjoy your hard work for a longer period of time. There’s nothing wrong with some late-November twinkling lights!
Here are some of our favorite DIY decoration looks that will brighten up your at-home venue and get your guests in the holiday spirit.
Greet guests with a friendly face by turning a plain white door into a life-size snowman.
How magical are these Anthropologie-esque snow globes made out of upside-down mason jars?
Although this isn’t a visual idea, check out this list of ways to make your home smell like Christmas, because we think wintery scents are important for creating a cozy ambiance in your space.
Running late with your decoration timeline? Throw together one of these last-minute decoration ideas. We particularly like the lighted burlap garland for a festive table centerpiece.
Feast
Now that the scene is set and the guests have arrived, they might be a little puzzled to discover a dormant oven and plates hiding in the cupboard. Whether you decide to provide small appetizers or an entire holiday feast, food is a necessary component of a successful party. Once again, it’s important to prepare for this ahead of time by buying the necessary ingredients on any day other than the event date. But we all know food is tricky timing-wise, as you can’t make a dish too far in advance! Consider doing a trial run of your party menu a week or two before, to know how it will all pan out and what cooking hiccups you can avoid on the day of the party.
Here are a few of our favorite recipes and culinary ideas for you to consider. The possibilities are endless in this category!
You might serve this bright and beautiful Roasted Balsamic Cranberry and Brie Crostini as an appetizer.
Or create these adorable pita bread and guacamole mini Christmas tree appetizers, which will taste as good as they look!
There are plenty of centerpiece roast recipes available but maybe a wintery pasta is the way to go for easily feeding the masses. It’s up to you!
Lighten the meal up with a fresh and festive winter salad. Our favorite is the green olive, pomegranate and walnut salad!
Toast
Continue the merriment with some holiday drinks for your guests to sip on. Even the colder drinks are sure to warm up your system internally, and they will perfectly complement the holiday dishes you serve. Select the drink from this list that intrigues you the most, grab the ingredients and serve it at your holiday party! You might also consider asking people to bring their favorite holiday cocktail to your gathering in order to lighten the financial burden of hosting, and to provide a wide variety of flavors for your guests. Cheers!
Sick of eggnog this time of year? Have no fear and scroll through these Christmas cocktails that proudly do not include eggnog. We’re dying to try the Fresh Cranberry Ginger Vanilla Margaritas served with sugared cranberries!
Give this wonderfully spiced, winter-warming mulled wine recipe a try! If you haven’t yet been bold enough to try warm wine, this is the perfect time. Not only will it taste great, but it has the added benefit of making your house smell amazing as it simmers!
Sweeten things up with a White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Martini or a Homemade White Chocolate Liqueur concoction.
If you’re wanting to appeal to the 21 and under crowd, serve some Hot Wassail — a comforting combination of apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg.
Indulge
No holiday gathering is complete without a decadent dessert of some sort. We’ve gathered our favorite rich, chocolatey, pepperminty and wintery desserts to top off your evening with. Once again, this might be a category in which you ask guests to bring their favorite dessert. But if you’re feeling ambitious, create one or two of these yourself to relieve your guests and provide a complete holiday party experience. These particular recipes are pushing our holiday dessert cravings over the edge.
Decorate your table and feed the masses with these adorable Melted Snowmen Oreo Balls.
Or create something your guests can easily grab handfuls of throughout the evening, like this sweet and salty Christmas Crunch Funfetti Popcorn.
Do you love Andes Peppermint candy? This recipe is for you! Keep the party rollin’ with this Chocolate Peppermint Roll.
And how cute are these White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies?
Ta da! It’s time to party.
Now piece all of these elements together and invite your family, neighbors, friends and co-workers to your home for a holiday party they won’t forget!
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Greetings Island, A Subtle Revelry, Whipperberry, Good Housekeeping, Neighbor Food, Food & Wine, How Sweet It Is, Adeline & Lumiere, Yummy Healthy Easy, The Girl Who Ate Everything, and Bakers Royale.
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