5 Tips for Hosting an Amazing Holiday Party

By Guest Blogger Aimee L.

5 Tips for Hosting an Amazing Holiday Party

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If you’re gearing up to host a holiday party, there are a few tips and tricks you should use to make sure your party is a hit instead of a flop. By avoiding some of the most common hosting mistakes and using some easy holiday party hacks, you’re sure to throw an amazing holiday party that people will be talking about for years to come.

1. Make your theme known

The last thing you want to do is have people show up in cocktail attire when you’re wearing your snazziest ugly sweater. That’s why you include your theme when you send your invitations. And, let’s face it – a theme makes things a lot easier for you because you can tailor your menu, décor, and entertainment to match your theme and make it a seamless party from beginning to end.

You can stick with tried-and-true themes like Winter Wonderland and Ugly Sweater Contest, or you can get nostalgic with A Christmas Story or White Christmas. No matter which theme you choose, be sure to tie it into your drinks and tablescapes to really amaze your guests.

2. Up your cocktail game

Sure, you can serve the old standby cocktails at your party, but why not get creative and knock the holiday socks right off your guests. Try making festive cocktails by pouring champagne and Perrier over pink cotton candy. Or, try a spiced citrus cocktail with cranberry syrup, vodka lemonade, and gumdrop skewers. Whatever cocktails you choose, be sure they tie into your theme.

3. Think outside the box with your decorations

If you don’t want to go through the mess of hauling a freshly-cut tree into your home, or if you don’t want to spend a ton of cash on new decorations for your holiday party, just think outside the box for your décor. Pile books in a corner and drape with lights to make a Christmas tree. Float cranberries in mason jars with floating candles, or place a sturdy pillar candle in the middle of a hurricane, fill with a few inches of water, and then float cranberries to surround the candle. Purchase some clear balloons and fill them with glitter before inflating them or having a local party store inflate them with helium for you.

If you want to make your home cozy for your party, make some homemade potpourri with oranges, cinnamon, cranberries, cloves, and nutmeg. You can simmer it on the stove in a pot or purchase a small Crock Pot for simmering. Other items that create a cozy feel include essential oils such as peppermint and pine. Use a diffuser or put a few drops in a bowl of pine cones or yarn balls.

4. Don’t forget the games

While you don’t want to make guests feel like they’re running a marathon because you have planned too many activities, you should plan a few games that will keep the party hopping. A few favorites that are sure to get some laughs are Christmas Carol Pictionary and Minute to Win It. Remember to make a list of items you’ll need for the games ahead of time because it’s easy to overlook the supplies for the games in the chaos of preparing for the party.

5. Crowd-pleasing food

Your guests will arrive hungry, and you should have crowd-pleasing food that won’t break your budget or take you hours to prepare. Simple finger foods like bruschetta, bean dip with pita chips, apple fritters, and stuffed mushrooms look like you spent a ton of time making food but take little time to make and are easy to eat.

Whatever food you plan, make sure it ties into your theme (see tips #2 and #3) and is something that you can prepare or at least partially prepare ahead of time. You won’t feel like you’ve thrown an amazing party if you’ve missed most of it because you were in the kitchen practically the whole time.

Throwing an amazing holiday party takes a bit of forethought and preparation, but if you follow these tips, you’re sure to throw one of the top holiday parties this season.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

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