Etiquette Today: Holiday Party Planning
The holidays are upon us, here's how to prep well for your holiday party.
The holidays are a magical time of year; however, they can also be hectic and stressful, especially for hosts. Whether you’re throwing a 30-person New Year’s eve dinner, gathering a few friends to help trim a tree, or gearing up for a HUGE holiday bash, here are some things to help you stay organized and on it!
INVITATIONS Get your invitations out ASAP. Typically we are fans of last-minute get-togethers, but the holidays are a hard time to make that happen. Send your invitations anywhere from two to eight weeks (sometimes even more!) ahead of your event date. Take note, two weeks might not even be enough time to get a large group together, but for something smaller and more casual - and a gathering that might even fit a weekday night - two weeks could definitely work. Keep your expectations realistic based on how much lead time you give your guests.
DECORATIONS Since this is a festive season, it can actually be really easy to decorate early so that when it comes to the day of your party you really just have to tidy up and set out your stations or buffet spread. With a decorated home (maybe some lights outside too, which can really help extend a party space) you’re ready to go so that when little hiccups and derangements happen in the couple of days leading up to the party, you have one less thing to worry about. Your decor can be simple or intricate, but either way, something festive will fit the season!
FOOD If you are planning to hire a caterer or order special foods, do it early. This is the busiest time for all businesses, and you want to be on their calendar first. If you are preparing the menu, make sure to plan something you are confident in serving and something that is a little step outside your everyday. Holidays are a great time to do something special, and remember, special does not have to mean expensive or labor intensive! But you do want to be confident in what you serve; this is not the best time for experimenting. Don’t forget to check in with guests about restrictions and allergies, and be sure there are enough options for all your guests to feel sated.
BEVERAGES Making festive drinks (both alcoholic and non) is a great way to express your theme and celebrate the season. Spritzers and punches are favorites this time of year, as are, of course, warm specialty drinks like mulled ciders, hot toddies, and our favorite, hot chocolate. Always be sure there are multiple options for those who don’t drink alcohol.
MERRIMENT Holiday music might be everywhere, but it does help to create a festive atmosphere that can only enhance your special party. If you and yours are musically inclined (whether or not you sound good,) singing favorite songs together can be a wonderful way to enjoy an evening. Don’t forget afternoon parties in snowy places can sometimes enjoy sledding, snowball fights, snow fort, or snow sculpture making! Favors aren’t necessary for any party, but they can be a fun way to lean into the season and make for more merriment. Crackers and poppers, either in bowls around the house or at each guest’s place at the table, are traditional fun. Sweet treats, little games, and homemade goods can also be fun takeaways.
THE UNEXPECTED Be sure to plan for an extra guest or two so that if someone brings an unexpected guest, you are prepared and can easily welcome the guest in a warm and easy-going manner “The more, the merrier!” It’s not a bad idea to also have backup plans for food disasters or any entertainment that might fall through (when that random warm day takes away all the snow for the sledding party.) Planning ahead will also help you mentally prepare so that you can keep your cool and remain a gracious host even through any hiccups.
A few Post family favorite parties over the years have been:
The Cookie Swap Tea Party - We did ours for Lizzie and her sister’s friends. Everyone wore party dresses and brought cookies to swap, and the little girls had their own little tea parties (with tea and cocoa) while the moms got to hang out together (with tea and coffee). In the ’80s, this party was for “the girls,” but we think kids and parents of all genders could enjoy this lovely event.
The Leftovers Party - We did ours after Thanksgiving, but you could do it after any holiday. Guests would come, you guessed it, with their leftovers from a big feast, and everyone would hang out and get to dip into the leftover feast! This was always casual in our house and mean to be an easy way to gather with friends after being with family and use up a lot of great leftovers!
The Traveling New Year’s Eve Party - We’d do hors d’oeuvres at one house, a buffet dinner at another, and then end up at the Post house for dessert and a bonfire. We’d have cocoa and marshmallow roasting, and everyone would write down their wishes for the new year and then throw them into the bonfire at midnight!
Whether your party is a cool and casual drop-in get-together or a formal feast with all the trimmings, we’re sure these hosting tips will help make your celebration the merriest and brightest of gatherings, with guests leaving happy and filled with holiday cheer!
Thanks for spending some time with us today; we hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday last week for those who celebrated! Keep an eye out for your next delivery from us - The Saturday Sip! Until then, take care, and we hope you have a wonderful holiday, however you and yours choose to celebrate!