The holidays are just around the corner, and the festivities may well extend until the end of the winter. At this point, you may be already stressing over your list of things to do, from gifts to décor. However, don’t forget that this season is also about reunions and some fun.
A party at your home may be already part of your agenda. But this time, you may want to keep your company small. An intimate gathering, most of the time, ends up becoming one of the most memorable. Add to that the benefit that you will not have to shell out a great amount of money.
If you are planning ahead of time, below are some pointers that will help make things much easier for you:
Pick an interesting theme
Just because it’s the holidays does not mean that you will not complement the season with an interesting touch. You may want to come up with a theme. For one, you can initiate an ugly sweater theme, which will compel your visitors to come in wearing their best “ugly” knitwear. Fan of the Harry Potter franchise? Take some cues from the film’s Christmas aesthetics; consider serving fares and snacks that British people serve during the yuletide season.
Go for a self-service setup
During dinners and parties, the organizers often find themselves being stressed over the small things. In your case, you may be always on the move to make sure that your guests are served well. However, you may forego this tradition this time. Instead, turn your dining table or bar into a self-service booth. Doing this will allow you to spend more time with your guests. All that you need to worry is the periodic replenishment of the punch bowl or food trays. Just make sure that serving spoons, napkins, and food thong are in place to keep your table from being messy.
Curate your playlist
Holiday parties are not complete without the right music to set the mood and atmosphere. So before your guests arrive, you need to curate a playlist filled with Christmas songs. If you want less work, you can simply open your Spotify and search for a ready-made playlist. Your essentials include Nat King Cole, Sinatra, and modern classics from the likes of Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. Don’t be afraid to include some electronic and eclectic beats for variety.
Plan a small activity
Holiday parties are not just about dining and exchanging stories. Why not have a small activity? It can be a karaoke challenge, snowman bingo, pictionary that features Christmas songs, or white elephant (just make sure that you visit a gift shop that has a lot of novelty items).
Have fun!
The holidays are usually stressful, but you can still catch a break during parties. While bigger parties are also fun, you cannot deny that small gatherings can also be memorable. If you want to add more creative touches to your party, you can solicit ideas from your family and friends. After all, it is everyone’s celebration.
