The festive season is a time for family and friends to join together and celebrate the year, and what better way to bring your loved ones joy than by throwing a Christmas party? Whether you are having a small get-together or opting for a large fun family gathering, there is always a lot to do before a party starts, especially when your home is the venue. However, if everything goes to plan, you can enjoy the party as much as your guests, and you’ll make memories that you’ll fondly look back on for many years to come. Take a look at our tips to help you plan the perfect Christmas party:
Food and Drink
A Christmas buffet is always the easiest thing to control when hosting a party. Most of the food can be eaten cold, so it can be cooked and prepared earlier in the day, saving you to enjoy your time hosting when your guests arrive, rather than cooking. Most supermarkets have a great selection of Christmas treats that you can pop straight into the oven for a hassle-free feast if you’re not up to the challenge of making everything from scratch. However, if you do opt for the homemade option, make sure you get a few friends and family to give you a hand to reduce some of the stress! Think about arrival nibbles and snacks, as well as the main course, and a sweet treat for dessert!
Your guests will often bring a bottle of something as a gift, but it is always nice to have some drinks laid out for when they arrive. Prosecco and champagne are naturally favourites, as is mulled wine for a festive treat! Don’t forget to cater for any people who don’t drink alcohol, and for the kids too!
Entertainment Room
Deciding which room within your home will be the focal point of your party is often a natural fit; a large kitchen or living room with lots of social space is perfect. You can make your gas fire the focal point of your whole party, offering warmth and a festive feeling for all around. You can do this by arranging your living room’s seating to face your fire, so when everyone is sitting down they will be able to feel warm and welcomed into your home. A fireplace creates a perfect Christmas atmosphere, especially if you have decorated the mantel. Take a look at our previous post about ways to decorate your fireplace for some inspiration.
Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot chocolate bar is the perfect accompaniment to any winter party, particularly once the night begins to draw to a close. Just create a station in part of your home; set out mugs, whipped cream, readymade hot chocolate and a selection of garnishes and syrups. This is a fun activity for all, especially the kids, and you can be very experimental with the flavours. For the adults, leave out whisky, vodka and liquors so they can give their hot chocolate a little bit of a kick!
Ambience
Creating the right ambience at your Christmas party is essential. Playing Christmas songs in the background, and having all your festive lights lit, main lights dimmed down a little, and the fire switched on, can create a festive yet relaxed atmosphere. Place fairy lights around the room for a gentle glow and ensure that your Christmas tree is decorated to perfection. There is no need to go over the top, but decorations for the party are an essential part of setting the scene!
Enjoy!
The most important thing to remember when planning a festive get-together is to enjoy yourself! Once the hard one is done, you can kick back and relax, taking in the fruits of your works and celebrating with your loved ones
Have you got any tips for hosting a Christmas party? We’d love to hear from you via our social media channels!