Organizing a Christmas party is a fantastic way to get your nearest and dearest together and create meaningful memories. However, if you have decided to host a Christmas party this year, you are likely feeling the stress of managing the event and ensuring the party is a success. Therefore, you should give yourself plenty of time to take care of all the details. As a result, your Christmas party will be stress-free and it will bring Christmas cheer to everyone there. Today we will share our top tips to calm your nerves and help you organize the perfect Christmas party, that will keep your friends and family reminiscing for years to come.

Plan Early

It’s advisable to start your planning in advance so that you can give yourself enough time to plan the party, but also ensure that your guests won’t plan anything else for that day. You may not want to plan your party too close to Christmas, as many of your friends and colleagues might be leaving to visit family. For example, if you plan the event the day before Christmas, many people might not be able to attend. Instead, you may consider hosting the party at least five days before Christmas. The weekend is typically a good time to choose, as your guests won’t have to go to work in the morning.

Choose Games

Most people love to play, so it might be worth incorporating a few Christmas party games into your plans. Thanks to Greenvelope, you can take inspiration from a list of great Christmas party games and add them to your festive celebration. You will find everything from TV-inspired classics to family-friendly games to put a smile on your guests’ faces. These fun party games will add to the life of the party, encouraging interaction between everyone, which will transform your event into an unforgettable night. In addition, it might also be a good idea to organize other non-competitive activities so that there is something for everyone.

Create A Playlist

No Christmas party is complete without music, and fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from. Take a look at your holiday albums from your favorite contemporary singers and put together a mix-and-match playlist, which combines upbeat selections with other party music. When creating the perfect playlist, it’s always recommended to consider your audience. You can also ask each of your guests to share their favorite Christmas songs. It might also be helpful to hire a professional DJ, if you are hosting a large party at a venue.

Clean The Space

Holding the party at your house or office means that you might need to do some major cleaning in preparation for the party. You should start by cleaning all surfaces and making sure that everything is in its place. Then, it might be helpful to take a step back and evaluate if there will be enough room for all of your guests. It’s possible that your space might feel too cluttered or crowded for a large party, so you may need to move things into other rooms. Put out long tables for holding food and provide different seating options for your guests to choose from.

Prepare Food

If you have decided to use a catering company, make sure that they offer a wide range of food options so that everyone can find something that they like. However, you may also want to prepare food on your own, in which case you will need to create a menu that appeals to all of your guests. For example, you may need to incorporate vegetarian and vegan options. Also, you don’t need to offer your guests a full meal. Appetizers like veggies and dip or pigs in blankets are a great choice for Christmas parties as they are easy to eat and prepare as well.

Set Up A Dessert Table

Your Christmas party wouldn’t be the same without sweets, such as candy, cookies, pies, gingerbread, and more. Whether you decide to bake or buy these treats, remember to serve them on elegant trays and platters, as this will always elevate any offering. Also, when planning your party space, allow for extra room, in case your family and friends want to bring any last-minute additions, such as homemade appetizers and desserts. It might be useful to place pastries and candies inside paper muffin cups, as this way your guests can easily pick them up.

Offer Festive Drinks

Don’t forget about offering festive drinks at your party, including a pot filled with hot chocolate, some hot apple cider on the stove and eggnog in the fridge. This is a great way to fill the space with the scents of Christmas. You may also consider setting up a self-serve beverage station by providing pre-made signature Christmas cocktails in elegant beverage dispensers. Be sure to place glassware and small cards telling guests what they are drinking. The more self-serve options you include, the more you can relax and mingle with your guests.

Think About Decorations

While it’s understandable that you will want the space to be filled with the Christmas spirit, it’s also important to be careful not to overwhelm your guests. Therefore, you should try to decorate with taste and avoid going overboard with holiday decorations. For example, you should ensure you have the basics, including a nice Christmas tree, mistletoe, and tinsel. It might also be a good idea to add a few snowmen decorations or find ways to put a unique twist on typical party items, such as red solo cups.

Get A Photo Booth

Provide your guests with the opportunity to take fun and creative photos with something else besides their cell phones. You can rent a photo booth from a local vendor and keep your guests entertained for hours. Alternatively, you can set one up yourself as long as you mount your camera to a tripod and turn on the flash. Instead of shooting against an empty wall, you can add a cheery background, such as an extra holiday-patterned tablecloth. Remember to incorporate a few fun props as well by placing giant candy canes, Santa hats, or beards.