If you want to become a successful holiday host this year, then you have to prepare. Say goodbye to seasonal stress and hello to a holly-jolly party with these essential holiday hosting tips!
Send Invitations Early
Whether you are mailing invitation cards or creating a social media event, you need to make sure that everyone who is invited to your party is well aware that they are welcome. We recommend sending invitations at least three weeks ahead of time, before your guests’ calendars are booked by other holiday events.
Think Outside the Box
While you can spend all you want on hosting a fancy get-together, you don’t need to break the bank to throw a party this holiday season that’s both cute and classy! Try something more creative like a rustic theme. Here are a few suggestions that your guests will love:
- Consider a potluck-style party
- Present simple snacks and meals with 5-star style
- Check local thrift stores for holiday decor
- Decorate with natural elements, like evergreen clippings
Cook Ahead of Time
When your party starts, you want to mingle with friends and family, not spend quality time with your oven. That’s why you should prepare your appetizers and side dishes well ahead of time. If your main course has to be made fresh, you can usually choose a recipe that can be partially made early in the day and popped in the oven a few hours before dinnertime.
Decorate with Comfort In Mind
Don’t turn your home into an obstacle course of streamers, lights, and balloons. Embrace a minimalist decorating approach that places the comfort of your guests at the center of its design. For example, if your centerpiece makes it difficult for your guests to talk during dinner, then remove it before the meal begins. Plenty of comfy seating is also a plus for large groups!
Personal Touches Make a Great Impression
Take the time to put your own personal touch on your party. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few simple ideas that your guests will love:
- Place handwritten name cards at the dinner table
- Mix up a specialty cocktail (We recommend mulled wine!)
- Bake a homemade dessert from an old family recipe
- Create a little memento for guests to take home
Prepare a Holiday Party Playlist
Music will put everyone in a festive mood, but don’t spend your whole party playing DJ! Create a playlist beforehand — a mix of holiday favorites and popular party tunes is usually a good choice. Remember to keep the volume low to medium so that guests can comfortably talk over it.
Fill Your Home with Seasonal Scents
Gingerbread, pumpkin pie, peppermint, cinnamon; these incredible scents immediately put us in the mood for a holiday event. Light a few candles or bake some cookies to infuse your home with these relaxing fragrances just in time for your guests to arrive.
Lighten the Mood with Games
Do your guests all know each other? If not, then a couple of games can help to break the ice and get everyone into the holiday spirit. Christmas movie trivia, holiday charades, and a marshmallow “snowball” fight are all fun options.
Enlist a Few Helpers
Organizing a big holiday party can be a ton of work, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be fun too! Fortunately, people love to pitch in, especially during this season of giving. If your guests each share their unique talents, then your gathering is sure to be incredible. So talk to your friend who loves to bake or your sister who’s brilliant at decorating, and ask them for a little extra help.
Don’t Forget About the Bar!
No holiday party would be complete without a few glasses of wine. If it’s a celebratory night, then a bottle of bubbly is ideal. Buy Champagne if you want to splurge, or go for a great budget option like Cava. And of course, you can never go wrong with a couple of bottles of both white and red.
Happy Holidays from WTSO!
You can find all of the wine that you need this holiday season at WTSO.com. Check out our new Holiday Favorites section to discover the perfect bottle for winter parties and wine delivery gifts just in time for the holidays.
Free shipping is included with all purchases of our Holiday Favorites, and you can also use promo code WINTERWINE to save $5 on four or more bottles at checkout!
Whether you are ordering a wine gift for a business colleague, a bottle for a holiday party, or something special for yourself, explore our holiday selection today!