A successful party lives on in everyone's memory long after the last bite of dessert is eaten. But the fuss and frustration of planning can be a big party pooper. All the details -- What kind of party should I have? Whom should I invite? How should I decorate? What do I serve? -- can make even the most experienced host or hostess a little stressed. If you add to this equation, the many demands and complicationsof the holiday season, you have the recipe for a real headache. Though therewards of a successful Christmas party will carry on all year, some peoplemight feel that the planning and execution is just too much of a burden.
Decorating for a Christmas Party
How things sound, look, feel, smell, and taste evokememories of holidays past, flooding us with emotions.
The best way to re-create these memories -- and to createnew memories for our families and friends -- is to surround ourselves with thingsthat remind us of the season. Decorating is one of the easiest ways toaccomplish this. Whether you are planning a small get together or a largeparty, decking your home in seasonal splendour will satiate the senses and fillall your guests with holiday spirit.
Planning a Christmas Party
Any event planner or caterer will tell you the key to asuccessful party is planning. It's not enough to simply make a few dishes andsend invitations. A little advance planning saves you time and headaches laterso spend five or ten minutes envisioning the party and walking yourself throughas a guest. When party time comes, both you and your guests will have a nightto remember!
Dreaming of the Perfect Party
The holiday season is packed with parties, so it's a goodidea to send invitations three weeks in advance. The sooner you send yourinvitations, the less likely it is that your guests will have committed toanother event. Your invitations should state the starting and ending. Don'tforget to include directions! Choose a menu for which many of the items can bemade ahead of time. Some appetizers and desserts can be made and frozen severalweeks in advance. Other recipes can be mixed together a few days before andstored in the refrigerator. Simply bake and finish the day of the party.Remember that parties aren't the time to try a new recipe. Either test a newmenu item before the party, or stick with tried-and-true recipes.
Opt for heavy finger foods instead of recipes that requiredinnerware. Foods that can be eaten without a fork and knife keep spills anddribbles down, and they reduce the amount of dishwashing you have to do later.If you do serve dishes that require dinnerware, make sure you have tableseating for guests to sit down and eat. Make it easy on yourself. If you dreadclean-ups, opt for nice plastic ware that can be tossed in the trash.
Place your bar close to ice and water. Place trays of fingerfoods on side tables and buffets throughout your entertaining area. Provideenough chairs so that at least half of your guests can be seated at a time.Position several trash cans inconspicuously near the food tables and bar toprevent precarious pileups of plates and traffic jams in the kitchen.
Guests love party favours. Send yours home with a littlesomething extra: a small ornament, a bag of cookies, even a candy cane with abow is a sweet way to say happy holidays.
