Written by Level Home Staff
It’s that time of year again – as things get a bit colder and the sun sets earlier, you start to think about the holiday season and gathering with loved ones. What better way to see friends and family than by hosting a holiday get together? As you plan your holiday party, keep these 7 considerations in mind.
Before embarking on the rest of your holiday party planning, the first step is to consider a theme for your party. Of course it’s a party during the holiday season, but is it going to be non-denominational or geared toward a specific holiday? Will it be a casual gathering, an ugly sweater party, or something more formal like a masquerade? Deciding on a theme before planning the rest of your party will help create a sense of cohesion for your guests and allow you to make easier decisions throughout the process. If you know the theme, you already know what decorations will fit, what food might match, and who to invite.
The next step after figuring out your theme is narrowing in on a budget. Setting your budget before you decide what to purchase or rent will help you make better decisions as you progress through planning your holiday party. For example, if you know you only have $500 to spend and renting a venue will put you over, then consider hosting at your place or DIY-ing a majority of the decorations and food.
Once your budget is pinned down, it’s time to decide on where you will be hosting your holiday get together. Some people may prefer to rent out an event space, some may decide on gathering at a local bar or restaurant, and others will prefer the comfort of home. Just remember, if you want to book a venue you should start looking early or before the holiday season as it’s a busy time of year and you may not be able to get a reservation closer to the holidays.
Now that you know your theme, budget, and where your holiday party will be, it’s time to send out invitations. There are many ways you could go about inviting people to your gathering – from text messages, to mailed invitations, emails, phone calls, or more – choose what invitation method you prefer, that falls within your budget.
When sending out the invitations to your holiday party, make sure to include the following information:
Date and time
Location
Theme/attire
Instructions to RSVP (if applicable)
Notes for arrival (smart lock guest passes or entry codes, parking information, directions to the location, etc.)
For many people, the joys of celebrating holidays also come with indulging in delicious food and festive drinks. Consider what food you want to have at your holiday party – hors d'oeuvres, a full sit-down meal, dessert? Do you want to DIY the food, hire a caterer, or have a potluck-style gathering? Don’t forget to ask your guests if they have any allergies!
When planning your holiday party menu, you should also think about drinks – do you want to serve alcoholic beverages? If so, what kind? Do you want to offer alternatives like non-alcoholic beer and spirits? Of course you should always make sure to supply plenty of water and refreshments for your guests anyway.
Consider incorporating memorable activities like karaoke, dancing, or a photobooth. Plan ahead and create a holiday playlist and make sure you know how you’re playing it – there’s nothing worse than a finicky speaker when you need it. Depending on the theme, you might even find it makes sense to exchange gifts with your guests to celebrate the holiday season!
Once you’re done planning, make sure to lay out a quick to-do list for yourself so you don’t forget anything day-of. Planning a holiday party can be stressful and having a checklist can help ease some of the burden. You can even consider enlisting some of your family or friends to help you execute (or even plan) the set up for your festivities.
No matter what type of holiday party you’re planning, following these simple steps will help you get through the process and enjoy your gathering. Happy holidays!
