Friends, family, food and refreshments. What better way to celebrate the holiday season? Hosting your own party can be easier than making reservations or relying on someone else to play emcee. But – as we’re sure you know – it’s not without its own set of headaches.
Before we host anyone, we like to make sure everything is all set. Do we have enough food and drink? Are our decorations on point? All these things play a part when trying to host a failure-free party.
For those that plan on hosting their own, here are a couple key tips to have it go off without a hitch.
‘Tis the Season
First things first. You need to figure out what type of party you plan on hosting. It may be the most wonderful time of year, but there are a number of ways in which you can celebrate.
Will you be making dinner or should everyone eat beforehand? Would you like to exchange gifts or just enjoy a glass of wine? Maybe you’re hardly even thinking of the holidays, and would rather watch an NBA or NHL game on TV? Whatever the case may be, it’s your best bet to decide early.
Make a Menu
Whether or not you’ve decided to serve dinner, you’ll need to make a menu. All great parties revolve around food, even if it’s only an appetizer or seasonal snack. Figure out if there are any allergies you need to account for and then go from there.
Decide Whether Guests Should Bring Anything
The holidays are hectic enough without you having to worry about making a 4 course meal. With that said, it may be wise to ask others to bring a dish along. Potlucks are an underappreciated culinary art form and most of your guests won’t mind whipping something up.
Stock up on Booze
Don’t make the mistake of buying too little booze. Anything left over can always be used for the next holiday get together.
In any event, make sure to purchase a assortment. Beer and wine are usually enough to please everyone, but it may be fun to throw together some seasonally inspired cocktails. See these recipes for a Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour and Juniper Champagne Cocktail to see what we mean.
Deck the Halls
You don’t need much in the way of decorations to have a party-prepped home. Even just throwing on some holiday music will make everyone feel a little more jolly. Deck the halls at your own risk if you feel like going all out.
Free up Some Space
If your home is on the smaller side, or your hosting in an apartment, you may need to rework your layout. This can be as simple as moving things around, getting rid of unwanted furniture, and cleaning up. If you’re looking for any tips to turn your home into a social space, read our recent blog post.
Locked and Loaded
Before anyone arrives, double check that you have enough plates, glasses and utensils for all those in attendance. Even having a backup of plastic cups and paper napkins could save you some trouble.
Remember, a little planning can go a long way: especially when it comes to hosting your own holiday party. If you’re looking for more great content, read more of our blog posts! And if you are looking for the most amazing REALTORS® in Victoria BC, contact us now!
Happy holidays from the team at Pemberton Holmes!
