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Planning a Christmas party can be rather intimidating, as it’s one of the most festive seasons of the year. Indeed, you may feel pressured by all the things you must plan and accomplish, so that your party turns out to be the best if you’ve ever hosted a Christmas party before, you naturally feel nervous about impressing your guests. And after putting in a lot of work, you want everything to be perfect. If you are looking for some guidelines on how to organize your Christmas party, look no further. Here are some key ways to be at the top of your game this holiday season.
Set your budget
Christmas is the season of overabundance. It seems like you can never have too much of anything during Christmas. After all, it’s all about that jolly, pleasant energy during this time. And while that’s all well and good, you should try to have some structure to your organisation as well. And the best way to do this is to plan a set budget and stick to it. It’s about what you have to purchase and how to set boundaries. It should be a realistic sum because while spending too much is a problem, spending too little can make your party seem shabby. If you generally tend to be a bit of a Scrooge, let the Christmas spirit sway you just a little.
Plan the decorations
Decorations are important for any party, but they may just be crucial for a Christmas one. You already know that red, white and green are the colours traditionally associated with Christmas. The moment you see them starting to pop up all over the place, it’s a clear sign Santa Claus is coming to town. If you’re not keen on interior design, worry not; Christmas decorations are here to save the day. Baubles and tinsel are classic decorations; they never go out of style, and everyone loves them. Wreaths and lights are also a must when you want to achieve that festive Christmas feeling. Bonus points for bringing the two together and using them to decorate parts of the room such as window panes or staircases. If you want to give a more rustic feeling, go for knitted ornaments, pinecone bundles and copper-coloured baubles.
If you want to give your decorations that wow factor and tailor them to your taste, pick first-rate Christmas ribbon for your event. It comes in a variety of fabrics such as grosgrain, jute or burlap, and there are various cute designs so you can mix and match with all your decorations. So whether you like jolly snowmen, pine cones, or more minimalistic designs like simple snowflakes, there’s sure to be something you’ll like. The ribbon is also multipurpose, so you can use it to make bows, wrap presents and even craft your own DIY decorations if you’re feeling creative.
Focus on the food
You can’t miss out on the food. Christmas dinner is an iconic meal, and it’s great if you can have it surrounded by your family and friends. Before you start sorting out the menu, consider any dietary restrictions any of your guests may have, such as different religious beliefs, food allergies or intolerances, and following any specific diet such as pescatarian or vegan. When that’s taken into account, you can arrange a fulfilling dinner for everybody. It’s very thoughtful to take into account the ethnicities of your guests and try to personalise the menu as much as possible by adding touches from all over the world. Each country has its traditional dishes they serve at Christmas. You may need to do a bit of research prior and be creative to come up with such a menu. For example, popular Christmas dishes in India include pork vindaloo and bebinca, a traditional layer cake. In Japan, KFC and Stollen cake are loved, and the Christmas cake comes in the form of sponge gateau decorated with strawberries. Look into the specifics of each culture, and you’re sure to organise a party nobody ever forgets. On top of that, you’ll gain more knowledge of the world’s cuisines—a win-win situation.
Bring fun games
Christmas is the time to make merry, and there’s no shortage of fun activities you can try out at a party. If you haven’t decorated the Christmas tree already, decorate it together. Ask all of your guests to bring one ornament and add it to the tree, or decide on a specific look and decorate to fit it. Even better, if you haven’t decided on a tree yet, visit a Christmas tree farm. It may be a lengthy process (everyone has different tastes, after all), but it’s a sure way to create nice memories. Another traditional activity to try out is carol singing. Here too, the cultural backgrounds of your guests will provide variety, as everyone can learn some carols traditional to another place. Bonus points if one or more of you can play a musical instrument too.
Remember the presents
No Christmas party is complete without the presents. If you already have a clear picture about what you want to buy everybody, and it also keeps in line with your budget, go for it. However, if you’re worried about breaking the bank or have no good idea of what to buy for each guest, there are many cute options to try out. You can’t go wrong with offering some treats such as marshmallows (reminiscent of snow and snowmen, if you think about it), peppermint candy or chocolate. Certain desserts, such as brownies or cinnamon candy, are easy to make at home, and it’s great to know someone put a little extra effort into a present they’re giving you. Think about the age of the individual and characteristics such as their hobbies or their jobs. For children, a LEGO set or a board game are great alternatives. Teenagers will love items like portable chargers, while older adults are likely to appreciate a portable music player. Even better if you have a playlist of classic songs from past decades.
It can seem like a lot to throw a Christmas party. But you only need to take the first step, and the rest will follow smoothly.
