Pick a Date and Time
Choose an appropriate date and time that will give your guests enough time to respond. Avoid long weekends or dates closer to major holidays. Many people travel around that time which may decrease your total guest count.
Pick a Date and Time
Choose an appropriate date and time that will give your guests enough time to respond. Avoid long weekends or dates closer to major holidays. Many people travel around that time which may decrease your total guest count.
Pick a Budget
Parties can be costly and more often than not you will spend more than expected. It's best to create your budget in the beginning of party planning to avoid any financial stress.
Pick a Budget
Parties can be costly and more often than not you will spend more than expected. It's best to create your budget in the beginning of party planning to avoid any financial stress.
Pick a theme
Holiday themed parties can be very fun. Pick anything from an Ugly Sweater party to a Winter Wonderland. Have fun with it and make sure to note that in your invitations.
Decide on theme if you want one. Make, buy or borrow any decorations or music you may need to fit the theme.
http://www.hwtm.com/themes/christmas
Decide on theme if you want one. Make, buy or borrow any decorations or music you may need to fit the theme.
Holiday themed parties can be very fun. Pick anything from an Ugly Sweater party to a Winter Wonderland. Have fun with it and make sure to note that in your invitations.
Make a List of Attendees
When making your list of attendees decide if you want to make this a more intimate party or a larger scaled party. The bigger you go the hard it gets to be one on one with your guests.
For a large cocktail party, invite 20 percent more people than you can fit, since typically only 70 percent to 80 percent of invitees attend.
Make a List of Attendees
For a large cocktail party, invite 20 percent more people than you can fit, since typically only 70 percent to 80 percent of invitees attend.
When making your list of attendees decide if you want to make this a more intimate party or a larger scaled party. The bigger you go the hard it gets to be one on one with your guests.
Send out an invitation
Check out Larissa's list on Holiday Cards and Invitations. As a former Evite employee, she is well versed in the online invite and greeting space. I've used paperless post for the past 2 years and have been very with their service.
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/larissa/best-sites-to-order-custom-holiday-cards
Check out Larissa's list on Holiday Cards and Invitations. As a former Evite employee, she is well versed in the online invite and greeting space. I've used paperless post for the past 2 years and have been very with their service.
Create a Menu
Be sure to pick nice looking food. Avoid casseroles which looks great when you put them out but look like a mess at the end. Individual foods are easier. If you plan on ordering food go to the restaurant 3 weeks in advance to discuss your order.
Assemble the recipes (choose only those that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day). Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and compile a shopping list.
Create a Menu
Assemble the recipes (choose only those that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day). Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and compile a shopping list.
Be sure to pick nice looking food. Avoid casseroles which looks great when you put them out but look like a mess at the end. Individual foods are easier. If you plan on ordering food go to the restaurant 3 weeks in advance to discuss your order.
Pick a Cocktail
Be sure to check out this list of "Skinny Cocktails brought to you by the SkinnyScoop team. 154 Calories for a Hot Toddy..I think so!!
Pick a drink or two: Don’t be the bartender. It’s too messy! Serve pre-made cocktails out of pitchers to make it easier on you.
http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/SkinnyScoop_Staff/holiday-cocktails-test-list
Pick a drink or two: Don’t be the bartender. It’s too messy! Serve pre-made cocktails out of pitchers to make it easier on you.
Be sure to check out this list of "Skinny Cocktails brought to you by the SkinnyScoop team. 154 Calories for a Hot Toddy..I think so!!
Choose a Party Favor
There are some great finds at ikea and marshalls for inexpensive party favors but if you like to put a more personal touch feel free to make a batch of your favorite holiday treat and wrap them up in a clear bag. Add ribbon and you are good to go!
If you are feeling generous this year choose a nice party favor that your guests can go home with. This can be anything such as a candle, chocolates or even a thoughtful note.
Choose a Party Favor
If you are feeling generous this year choose a nice party favor that your guests can go home with. This can be anything such as a candle, chocolates or even a thoughtful note.
There are some great finds at ikea and marshalls for inexpensive party favors but if you like to put a more personal touch feel free to make a batch of your favorite holiday treat and wrap them up in a clear bag. Add ribbon and you are good to go!
Hire Extra Help
If you plan on throwing a larger party plan on hiring some extra help. What's the fun in a party when you can't even enjoy it. Hiring that extra help will relieve some stress in the preparation of the food and decorations along with cleanup.
Hire Extra Help
If you plan on throwing a larger party plan on hiring some extra help. What's the fun in a party when you can't even enjoy it. Hiring that extra help will relieve some stress in the preparation of the food and decorations along with cleanup.
Make a Playlist
Don't go scrambling for playlists minutes before your guests arrive to your party. Take the time to create a playlist that goes hand in hand with your theme or pick songs that both you and your guests will enjoy.
Make a Playlist
Don't go scrambling for playlists minutes before your guests arrive to your party. Take the time to create a playlist that goes hand in hand with your theme or pick songs that both you and your guests will enjoy.
Holiday Stations on Pandora
Don't have time to make a playlist, choose from these Pandora Holiday Stations to get the party started.
Well for those who would like a bit of holiday music to listen to easy-like, here's a few great stations. I made these stations myself and I have to say, they're very enjoyable. Even if you're feeling a bit Grinchy.
http://blog.pandora.com/pandora/archives/2007/11/holiday-station.html
Well for those who would like a bit of holiday music to listen to easy-like, here's a few great stations. I made these stations myself and I have to say, they're very enjoyable. Even if you're feeling a bit Grinchy.
Suggested by Larissa:
Don't have time to make a playlist, choose from these Pandora Holiday Stations to get the party started.
Buy Compostable Partyware
Be green and get your guests to pitch in on the effort. Be sure to have appropriate labeled trash cans so that there is no confusion.
Order a party kit that helps makes your clean up process easier while saving the earth. Serves up to 50 people. Be sure to overestimate on this rather than being short on cups, plates, utensils etc.
http://www.branchhome.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=36&gclid=CJeg6LiFv6wCFawaQgodLgRjpQ
Order a party kit that helps makes your clean up process easier while saving the earth. Serves up to 50 people. Be sure to overestimate on this rather than being short on cups, plates, utensils etc.
Be green and get your guests to pitch in on the effort. Be sure to have appropriate labeled trash cans so that there is no confusion.
Stock up your Powder Room
Make sure you have enough soap, hand creme and toilet paper in your powder room. It's also a good idea to provide some sort of fragrant room spray.
Stock up your Powder Room
Make sure you have enough soap, hand creme and toilet paper in your powder room. It's also a good idea to provide some sort of fragrant room spray.
Check the medicine cabinet
Remove any personal items you wouldn’t want guests to see.
Check the medicine cabinet
Suggested by Larissa:
Remove any personal items you wouldn’t want guests to see.
Stock up on Hangers
If you plan on using your "coat closet" be sure to stock up on hangers. Whats the use of a coat closet without hangers? Heck go to the nearest Ikea, Big lots or Walmart. You'll be sure to find some inexpensive yet decent looking hangers.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30217376/
If you plan on using your "coat closet" be sure to stock up on hangers. Whats the use of a coat closet without hangers? Heck go to the nearest Ikea, Big lots or Walmart. You'll be sure to find some inexpensive yet decent looking hangers.
Clean your House
It's always a good idea to get a deep cleaning in before your party. You wouldn't want your guests to feel uncomfortable in a messy or dirty place.
Whether you clean your house yourself or have someone come once a month make sure to have it cleaned the week of the party.
Clean your House
Whether you clean your house yourself or have someone come once a month make sure to have it cleaned the week of the party.
It's always a good idea to get a deep cleaning in before your party. You wouldn't want your guests to feel uncomfortable in a messy or dirty place.
Notify your Neighbors
It's always a great idea to notify your neighbors if you plan on having a large party. This will avoid any issues and also give them time to make any arrangements if necessary (due to parking and noise).
Notify your Neighbors
It's always a great idea to notify your neighbors if you plan on having a large party. This will avoid any issues and also give them time to make any arrangements if necessary (due to parking and noise).
Day of Party: Last Minute Food Prep and Chill Drinks
I suggest filling your house with the scent of apple cider by boiling it on low-med heat all morning. It's a pleasant smell when your guests arrive to your party.
Chill wine, set up the bar (slice lemons) and start cooking! Set aside a place for dirty dishes and glasses and be sure to have trash cans and bags ready. Last but not least have your party favors set out (if you plan on buying any).
Day of Party: Last Minute Food Prep and Chill Drinks
Chill wine, set up the bar (slice lemons) and start cooking! Set aside a place for dirty dishes and glasses and be sure to have trash cans and bags ready. Last but not least have your party favors set out (if you plan on buying any).
I suggest filling your house with the scent of apple cider by boiling it on low-med heat all morning. It's a pleasant smell when your guests arrive to your party.
Day Before: Decorations, Flowers, Tables
It's best to arrange as much as you can beforehand. Setup your tables and decorations the day before so that all you have to worry about the next day is heating up the food and arranging it on the table.
The day before the party go and pickup any decorations you will be using for the party: flowers, tables etc.
Day Before: Decorations, Flowers, Tables
The day before the party go and pickup any decorations you will be using for the party: flowers, tables etc.
It's best to arrange as much as you can beforehand. Setup your tables and decorations the day before so that all you have to worry about the next day is heating up the food and arranging it on the table.
