Hosting a holiday party sounds fun and festive... until you realize how much preparation and work it entails. Before you stress out or decide to cancel, here are some tips on how to throw a fun and stress-free holiday bash.
Get a Partner for the Party. Did you ever think of teaming up with a friend to plan and co-host the party with you? Partnering for a party has many benefits. You can split the cost of food and beverages, decorate for the event as a team, and share the guest list. This can be a great way to introduce different circles of friends to one another. Caution: Before picking a partner, be certain that the two of you will get along and have compatible personalities - remember you're trying to reduce stress, not increase it.
Make it B.Y.O.B. The cost to stock a party with plenty of quality beer, wine and liquor can be steep, so take some stress off your pocketbook and make it B.Y.O.B., which stands for "bring your own beer, booze or bottle." From an etiquette viewpoint, it is assumed the hosts will provide food and snacks, but it is completely acceptable to ask people to bring along their favorite libation. Make sure B.Y.O.B. appears at the end of your party invitation, and it is printed large enough so people will notice. Another stress reducing tip: Make it a cocktail party. It will require much less food and planning than a full dinner or formal evening event.
Make a List, and Check it Twice. Planning is the key to a stress-free party. The more prepared you are, the less something unexpected could go wrong, and the more fun you and your guests will have. Create a complete shopping list including the food, drinks and other items you will need for the party, and start shopping well in advance. Nothing creates stress like last minute shopping, or realizing you've blown your budget.
When estimating how much food and drink you will need, consider the number of people invited and how long the party will last. Try to guess what items will be most popular and will go the most quickly. More choices will mean smaller individual portions, and when in doubt, round up. To make a truly memorable event, go for the best quality food and high-end liquor. Again, a partner can help absorb the costs.
Have It Catered - Or Buy Prepared Food. Unless you really enjoy cooking, you probably won't want to be a slave to the oven on the day of your event. If you can afford it, have your party catered by a professional catering company, and consider letting them serve, too. A less expensive option is to buy prepared appetizers, meals and desserts from a quality supermarket. Be sure to call ahead and give them enough time to prepare it. Important to remember: No cooked dishes, soft cheeses, cut up fruits, lunch meats or dips should sit at room temperature for more than two hours, so use chafing dishes and beds of ice or coolers to maintain food temperatures.
Have Guests Serve Themselves. A sure fire way to get worn out at your party is running around in circles serving people all night. Think strategically in your placement of the food and drink tables. For food, set up a buffet area for hors d'oeuvres and/or the main course. Then, place small bowls of nuts, crackers and chips around the room where guests will be sitting. Place the bar in a different area to avoid traffic jams, and provide plenty of ice and open, accessible bottles. Dress up the tables with elegant linens. Make sure you designate an area for dirty dishes and glasses.
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