The holiday season is quickly approaching. The stores are already decorated with festive lights, and Halloween treats have been replaced by candy canes. We are entering the most magical time of the year.

So, now is a great time to get a head start on your party planning.

Whether you’re new to party planning or you’re a pro at hosting for the holidays, throwing a great get-together can be a bit stressful. You have to manage the food, drinks, and activities, all while ensuring your guests have fun.

Following this guide will help you through the party planning process so that your party will be a night to remember, in a good way!

The Definitive Guide for Hosting a Holiday Party

The key to throwing a great party is to remain calm, cool and collected. If you constantly stress about making sure everyone is having a good time on the night of your party, it makes it less enjoyable. And no one likes a helicopter host.

That’s why you should plan ahead, so you can celebrate your hard work alongside your guests when the time comes. So let’s delve into the dos and don’ts of hosting a great holiday party.

Do: Pick a Theme 

Choosing your party’s theme is an important first step. It sets the mood for the event and lets your guests know what to expect. Once you pick a theme, you can roll with it.

The theme should reflect the atmosphere you want to create. From funky and fun to polished and upscale, the choice is yours.

Your guests will dress to the occasion, whether it’s ugly holiday sweaters or cocktail attire.

Also, the theme will determine how you decorate the space. No matter what direction you go in, you can add some flare with decorations.

Here are some party theme ideas you can use for inspiration. A few common themes are holiday luau, winter wonderland, or Christmas in July (for us southerners), or you can spice it up with your own idea.

Just make sure that the concept you choose is coherent and will be easily understood by your guests. 

Do: Make a Plan

As previously mentioned, you want to plan your party in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be scrambling to get everything together in time which is never fun.

The next thing you should do is create your guest list. Whether it’s a holiday office party or a cocktail hour with friends, you’ll want to make sure your invite reaches everyone it’s meant to.

Create your invitations to match your theme and send them early. This will give everyone time to RSVP and put your party on their calendars so they don’t miss it. In your invitation, let your guests know the exact date, time, location, and attire for your party. 

Luckily, living in the digital age has its advantages. You can easily and quickly send invitations through social media or websites like Evite, Paperless Post, or Greenvelope.

Once you finalize your guest list and send out your invitations, you should keep track of your invitee’s responses. A fairly accurate head count is essential for food, drinks, and activity planning.

Now, it’s time to get creative!

Do: Arrange an Activity

Another way to ensure your party runs smoothly is to have a fun activity in your back pocket. No one likes a dull party, especially when you are supposed to be celebrating a festive holiday. 

If the party’s going well, you might not need an activity. But, if you sense a decrease in energy, you’ll have something to break the ice. Plus, a fun activity will give your guests something to remember, so they will look back on your party fondly for years to come.

You don’t want the activity to be too difficult or take up too much time because the goal is to let people mingle and have fun. Some ideas you could think include a white elephant gift exchange, cookie decorating, drinking games, karaoke, or a gingerbread house decorating contest. 

Don’t: Be Exclusive

When you’re hosting for the holidays, you shouldn’t make anyone feel excluded. Remember to keep in mind that not everyone celebrates the same holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, to name a few.

You want your guests to feel welcome, and emphasizing inclusivity helps everyone feel comfortable. However, if you know your crowd well, then you can gear your party toward a specific holiday. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to keep it more general.

Don’t: Overlook the Music

To help set the vibe of the party, the music you choose should coincide with the theme. Classy instrumentals, timeless favorites, or contemporary holiday hits are a few genres you could explore. 

If you have the time, you can create a customized playlist with the songs you think fit the tone of the party. Put on all of your favorite songs and some crowd-pleasers, and your guests will definitely have a fun time. 

But, if you want to make your life a little easier, you can’t go wrong with choosing a premade playlist from a music platform like Spotify, Amazon or Apple Music.

You should keep the music low so that people can hold a conversation without getting distracted, but also have it loud enough so that they are able to recognize a favorite song if they hear it.

Don’t: Forget to Have Fun!

You put in the work to throw the perfect holiday party, and now you can enjoy yourself. Although this is often easier said than done, remember that the energy of the party will revolve around you since you’re the host. 

So, you should stay calm and anticipate a minor hiccup or two. Although everything might not go exactly as you planned, it’s important to stay cool and relaxed.

The best parties are the ones where everyone has a good time, so don’t forget to celebrate yourself for throwing an awesome holiday party. You deserve it!

Host the Perfect Holiday Party in Your Dream Home

Planning and executing a great party is no easy feat. Between making invitations and managing the food, decorations, and activities, a lot of effort goes into hosting a holiday event.

Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of hosting a holiday party, you’re sure to have the most memorable soiree of the season. And with Minto, you can throw the perfect gathering in the home of your dreams.  

Celebrate the holidays in style with a beautiful and spacious home in one of our Minto Communities located throughout Florida and South Carolina. Our open floor plans are great for entertaining so your parties will be fun and memorable for your guests.

Interested in spending the holidays in your dream home? Contact Minto Communities today!