Steps to Plan a Christmas Party

Home Decor

Christmas parties are a wonderful way to bring people together. Even though they create unforgettable memories, planning them can be frustrating and overwhelming. With all the details to consider like the type of party, guest list, decorations, and food, even experienced hosts and hostesses can get stressed. The holiday season can add more demands and complications to the equation, making the planning process even more of a burden. However, we have some party themes, ideas, and menus that can help you pull off a spectacular event. Our tried-and-true secrets for entertaining will ensure that your party is unforgettable. We will guide you through all the steps of planning and hosting a Christmas party, including:

• Decorating for a Christmas Party: To create an exciting environment for your guests, some simple decorations can transform your house into a seasonal wonderland for holiday revelers. In this section, we will show you how to decorate for a Christmas party, including how to choose a color scheme and create a festive Christmas centerpiece.
• Planning a Christmas Party: While it’s easy to think of the perfect Christmas party, making it happen takes careful planning. On this page, we will show you how to plan a Christmas party, from brainstorming party ideas, picking party invitations, choosing a theme, to enjoying the night of the party.

Try It!

Throughout this article, we will provide you with some of our favorite Christmas-themed recipes that you can try at your next party.

Decorating for a Christmas Party

©2006 Publications International, Ltd. The right decorations can make your Christmas an event to remember.

Christmas is a holiday that excites our senses with the sound of a crackling fire, the joy of newly fallen snow, the anticipation of Santa Claus, the smell of a cedar tree, and the taste of a freshly baked Christmas cookie. To re-create these memories and to create new ones for our families and friends, we need to surround ourselves with things that remind us of the season. Decorating is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this. Whether you are planning a small get-together or a large party, decking your home in seasonal splendor will satiate the senses and fill all your guests with holiday spirit.

Ornament Centerpiece: Before beginning to construct your Christmas centerpiece, you will need to assemble the following items:

The necessary materials for creating an ornament centerpiece include dry floral foam, a knife, a brass bowl that is 4 to 6 inches high, a hot glue gun with glue sticks, a ruler, evergreen bough, 14 Christmas ornament balls, 12 small pinecones, a spray of plums (or around 7 plums), 4 berry sprays that have been cut into pieces, and 3 poinsettia flowers with leaves. To start, cut the floral foam to fit the bowl and glue it in place. If you don’t want to glue the bowl, you can use a plastic liner instead. Then, cut the bough into pieces that are 5 to 6 inches long and glue them around the edge of the container to form the width and length. Next, mound the Christmas ornaments, pinecones, plums, and berry sprays on top of the greens and floral foam and secure them with hot glue. Finally, fill in any gaps between the ornaments and pinecones by gluing sprigs of greens, poinsettia flowers, and other poinsettia leaves in place.

Christmas is a holiday that is all about color. The colors that you choose to emphasize in your Christmas decorations can affect the mood that they evoke, so it’s important to consider your goals before deciding on a color scheme. Whether you want an icy and intense look, a cozy and traditional feel, a modern and fresh vibe, or an elegant and luxurious atmosphere, the right colors can help you achieve your desired effect. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and combinations to find the perfect look for your home.

An all-white Christmas can be classic and traditional or glamorous and fresh, depending on how you decorate. White is a versatile color that works well with both contemporary and traditional interiors. For a modern look, try an all-white decorating scheme with touches of silver and twinkling white lights. For a more homespun feel, use all white to create a cozy atmosphere that is warm and inviting. No matter how you choose to decorate with white, it’s a color that is sure to add a touch of magic to your holiday season.

Once you have your decorations picked out, it’s time to start planning your Christmas party. The key to a successful party is planning ahead, so take some time to envision the party and walk yourself through it as a guest. Send out invitations at least three weeks in advance, and be sure to include the starting and ending times, the type of food you will be serving, and directions to your home. With a little advance planning, you can create a holiday party that both you and your guests will remember for years to come.

When planning a menu for your party, try to choose dishes that can be made ahead of time. Some appetizers and desserts can be made and frozen weeks in advance, while other dishes can be prepared a few days before and stored in the refrigerator. It’s best to avoid trying new recipes for the first time at your party and stick to tried-and-true recipes that you know will be a hit.

Instead of serving dishes that require dinnerware, opt for finger foods that can be eaten without utensils. This keeps spills and messes to a minimum and reduces the amount of dishes you’ll have to wash later. If you do serve dishes that require utensils, make sure you have enough seating for your guests to sit down and eat. To make cleanup easier, consider using nice plasticware that can be thrown away.

When setting up your party space, consider the flow of traffic and place the bar near the ice and water. Place trays of finger foods on side tables and buffets throughout the entertaining area. Make sure you have enough chairs for at least half of your guests to sit down at a time, and position trash cans near the food tables and bar to prevent pileups of plates and traffic jams in the kitchen.

If you don’t have time to deep clean your entire home before the party, focus on the high-traffic areas like the living room, dining room, and bathrooms and leave the rest for later. To create a festive atmosphere, play holiday music and light candles throughout the house. Consider adding a special activity for your guests, such as writing holiday wishes in a guest book or caroling.

Don’t forget party favors! Send your guests home with a small ornament, bag of cookies, or candy cane with a bow to say thank you for coming.

To make your invitations more fun and personal, use your party’s theme to inspire your own creations. Use a photo from last year’s party or have your child draw a picture to scan onto cardstock. You can also make a custom CD of music that fits with your party’s theme and send it in a bubble-wrap envelope. If you’re short on time, purchase nice note cards and write a handwritten invitation with black ink for an elegant touch.

Themed Christmas Celebrations

Aside from the traditional tree-trimming parties, there are various Christmas celebrations you can plan. Here are some colorful alternatives. Boxing Day: In England, servants worked on Christmas Day but were given the day after off to visit their families. Their employers would send them off with a box containing gifts and food, hence the name “Boxing Day.” Today, people still celebrate by taking the day off to visit their loved ones.

This event combines Christmas festivities with those of Boxing Day. Decorate the table with pine boughs, holly, mistletoe, juniper berries, cinnamon sticks, oranges with fragrant cloves, bowls of fruit, and tiny Christmas trees. Wrap small boxes with metallic and holiday paper and use them for decoration or add small gifts that your guests can open after dinner.

You can also fill English “crackers” (colored paper tubes) with candy and small presents. For a unique Boxing Day invitation, write the party information on a piece of paper, fold it up, then place it in a small, wrapped box to hand-deliver to guests.

Give it a go!

Here are some Christmas recipes to go with our themed parties:

Feliz Navidad:

• chiles rellenos
• picadillo filling

St. Lucia Day:

• baked ham with sweet and spicy glaze
• Swedish limpa bread

Boxing Day:

• classic English toffee

Le Reveillon:

• gannat
• veal oscar with tarragon bearnaise
• French carrot medley

An Old-World Christmas:

• German apple pancake

Read More

Le Reveillon

What started as a simple meal after midnight mass has developed into Le Reveillon, a nighttime dinner for French families with many of the same dishes as those served on Christmas Day. Some families use the occasion to decorate the tree or give presents. Like many other nationalities, the French frequently decorate with a nativity scene, greenery, and candles.

An old-world Christmas: Celebrating the season is a month-long tradition in Germany, with festivities culminating on Christmas Eve when the Christmas tree is unveiled. Children are not allowed to see the tree until a bell is rung, and it is brought out, fully decorated with cars, trains, angels, tinsel, lights, and ornaments. Families sing Christmas carols and place presents underneath. The night later gives way to a feast so lavish that the evening is often called “Dickbauch,” or “fat stomach.” Legend has it that those who do not eat well will be haunted by demons during the night.

Invite guests to an old-world party by printing out an invitation, leaving the front blank. Then glue greenery to the front in the shape of a wreath. Clippings from your tree, mistletoe, and ivy are easy choices to work with.

On the day of the party, decorate with nuts, fruits, greenery, marzipan, and adorable carved, wooden figurines of angels, trees, and Santa. Don’t forget candles and trimmings.

Celebrate!

The day has finally arrived. Guests will be arriving on your doorstep in minutes! You’ve prepared as much as possible ahead of time to ensure your plans run smoothly. A few finishing details should be all you need to make the event memorable.

Prepare for your guests’ comfort by placing appetizers in convenient locations and creating a cozy ambiance with music and candles. Take their belongings upon arrival and introduce them to others with common interests. Be gracious when receiving gifts and discreetly place them aside. Avoid staying in the kitchen to socialize with your guests and enjoy the party. Remember, the holiday party is for you too! Heidi Tyline King is a writer who covers various home improvement and decorating topics. Alan Howze created the Holiday Dinner Party design. Use our holiday helper calendar to plan your party and preparations.

FAQ

1. What is the first step in planning a Christmas party?

The first step in planning a Christmas party is to set a budget. Determine how much you can afford to spend on the party, including decorations, food, drinks, and any other expenses that may arise. Once you have a budget in place, you can start to plan the guest list, the menu, and the activities.

2. How do I decide on a theme for my Christmas party?

You can decide on a theme for your Christmas party based on your personal preferences or the preferences of your guests. Consider popular themes such as a winter wonderland, a Christmas movie night, or a gingerbread house decorating party. Once you have a theme in mind, you can plan the decorations, food, and activities around it.

3. How do I create a guest list for my Christmas party?

Create a guest list for your Christmas party by considering the size of your venue, your budget, and the preferences of your guests. If you have a small venue or a limited budget, you may need to limit the number of guests. If you are inviting both friends and family, make sure to include everyone you want to celebrate with.

4. What should I include on the menu for my Christmas party?

The menu for your Christmas party should include a variety of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks. Consider traditional Christmas dishes such as roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. You can also include festive drinks such as eggnog or mulled wine.

5. How can I decorate my Christmas party on a budget?

You can decorate your Christmas party on a budget by using items you already have, such as Christmas lights, ornaments, and candles. You can also create DIY decorations such as paper snowflakes or a homemade wreath. Consider shopping at discount stores or using coupons to save money on decorations.

6. What activities can I plan for my Christmas party?

You can plan a variety of activities for your Christmas party, such as a gift exchange, a cookie decorating contest, or a holiday movie marathon. Consider the preferences of your guests when planning activities, and make sure to provide options for both kids and adults.

7. How can I make my Christmas party more eco-friendly?

You can make your Christmas party more eco-friendly by using reusable plates, cups, and utensils instead of disposable ones. You can also decorate with natural materials such as pinecones or holly. Consider using LED lights instead of traditional Christmas lights to save energy.

8. How do I create a festive atmosphere for my Christmas party?

You can create a festive atmosphere for your Christmas party by playing holiday music, using decorations such as garlands and wreaths, and incorporating traditional Christmas colors such as red and green. You can also use scented candles or air fresheners that smell like peppermint or pine to create a cozy atmosphere.

9. What should I do after the Christmas party is over?

After the Christmas party is over, make sure to clean up any messes and put away any decorations. Send thank-you notes to your guests to show your appreciation for their attendance. If you have food leftover, consider donating it to a local homeless shelter or food bank.

10. How can I make my Christmas party memorable?

You can make your Christmas party memorable by incorporating unique touches such as a photo booth with holiday-themed props, personalized party favors, or a special dessert bar. You can also plan a surprise activity such as a visit from Santa Claus or a gift exchange game that will keep your guests entertained and engaged throughout the party.