As the season of festive cheer is upon us once more, planning a Christmas party is uppermost in many people's thoughts, as we ponder how to create meaningful memories for family and friends - without spending a fortune, or being left feeling emotionally frazzled!
Never fear ... being the perfect host doesn't have to drain your wallet, or your energy! With a few simple tips, you can create a stress-free experience that will leave you sitting comfortably sipping your eggnog, rather than spending the evening tearing out your hair, or nodding off on the pile of coats in the spare room. Read on for some tips on hosting the best Christmas party, with the least hassle!
1. Plan ahead
Although many of us use a technique commonly known as "winging it", this isn't the way with Christmas parties. Plan well ahead and live by your list, particularly for a big Christmas "do", with lots of guests. Always stick to your action plan and don't be afraid to delegate. Know what you're able to do - and if you fear it's too much, simply scale down the plans. That life-size reindeer ice sculpture and 5ft high chocolate fountain aren't vital! Enlisting guests to help with the party, even if it's just in a small way, can be a big plus and it can make them feel more involved.
2. Cook in advance
Prepare as much of the food as possible in advance. If you're hosting a cold buffet, have it all ready and plated up in the fridge, so it's just a case of putting it on the table before guests start to arrive. Professional party planners suggest stews and soups are the ultimate winter party food - they're easy to prepare and will freeze, so you can even make them weeks in advance. Foods such as quiches also freeze well. If all else fails and you don't have time to cook, cheat and buy a frozen buffet party pack from the supermarket – just don’t tell anyone!
3. Don't forget the nibbles
You can never have too many nibbles at a Christmas party! Stock up with a selection of sweet and savoury nibbles such as cookies, crackers, cheese biscuits, bread sticks, crisps, tortilla chips, peanuts, dips and anything else you can think of. Your food table will look much busier and more inviting with various bowls of nibbles dotted about among the festive fare. Even after the main feeding frenzy has finished, everyone likes to nibble during the evening.
4. Keep the drinks stocked up
It's wise to have a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the ready, including beers, cider, choices of wine, spirits, soft drinks, soda, mixers, tea and coffee. Buy in some non-alcoholic beers and wines, so that there's a good choice. Don't forget to cater for guests who don't drink alcohol, or for those who are a designated driver for the evening and the older relatives will probably prefer a good old-fashioned cup of tea.
5. Festive sparkle
You've all heard the Christmas carol, "Deck the halls with boughs of holly," - well, now's your chance! Every Christmas party needs the right décor to create that festive feeling. It's so easy to achieve: as well as the traditional streamers, tinsel, wreaths, holly and mistletoe, try something a bit different such as filling glass bowls with little twinkling lights, or placing a small branch in a vase and hanging lights or ornaments on it. You don't need the exterior of your home to be emblazoned with twinkling lights - try a big bow or a wreath on your front door to create a warm welcome. Potted evergreens with a few tasteful lights will look great in the garden.
6. Create the right mood
Add joyful sounds by making a CD or computer playlist of cheerful holiday songs. You will enjoy compiling it and you can listen to all your favourite seasonal tunes. This doesn't mean a selection of loud jangly songs played at full blast that may start to grate on your nerves! Choose a good mix of songs with a holiday theme, so that there's likely to be something for everyone - and keep the music low and in the background. Conversation is what matters and if you can't hear what the person next to you is saying, turn it down!
7. Secret gifts
Don't be caught off-guard and left embarrassed when a guest unexpectedly gives you a gift! Store a few wrapped gifts in the wardrobe, in different-coloured wrapping paper for men or women. Then, when someone gives you a surprise present as they arrive, you can say you're just popping upstairs to get theirs, and grab a pre-wrapped present out of the cupboard! It can help to pick up items for Christmas throughout the year - even starting in the January sales! That way, it won't mean a sudden surge in spending in November and December.
The biggest tip for hosting a perfect Christmas party is to enjoy yourself! Remember, it's only once a year and you're going to see those family members and old pals that you may not see again for another 12 months - so put a smile on your face and have fun!
When you're planning your Christmas party, you'll need hygienic and durable storage solutions for your pre-prepared food, including containers that can be popped in the freezer. Solent Plastics stocks a superb range of food handling storage boxes, catering bins and bottle crates to store all your party food and drinks in a hygienic and convenient manner. If you're unsure exactly what you need, please contact us. We are always happy to help!
How to Host the Perfect Christmas Party
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