How to Host a Christmas Party
First, you’ll need to do a bit of planning and answer some basic questions.. Will it be an elegant sit down dinner for a small group of people? A cocktail party? A dessert party? Decorate the tree party? Or? Will you hire a bartender and/or caterer, maybe even a DJ? What’s your budget? What’s your date book like and when can you schedule it so most of your guests will be able to attend. This is a very, very busy time of year. Personally, I usually give a “holiday” Open House the Sunday AFTER New Year’s. Everything’s has calmed down a bit, holiday decorations and often, foods, are on sale and people drink less, often because they have started a New Year’s diet.
Once you’ve decided on the type of party, confirm the date and plan the invitations. Often today, invitations are emailed but I still like the thrill of getting an actual invite. It’s fun and it starts the party in my opinion. Recently I’ve created the invitation right into my Christmas cards. Then, about a week before, I send an email reminder. Don’t forget to request rsvp’s unless it’s a very casual party where you don’t need a specific number to plan on.
Make a guest list and decide when the invitations need to be mailed. Of course, if it’s a very small sit down dinner, you might just call and invite your guests. Keep track of who’s coming, and schedule a date and time when you’ll call the guests who have not yet responded. Complete the invitations and mail them.
Start decorating the house and decide what extra decorations and/or favors you’ll need for the party. Make a list of items you’ll need to buy. Shop for all the favor and decoration items you’ll need along with non-perishable good items. I actually make a series of lists for my open house-a guest list, a list of foods I’ll use with notations for those I still need to buy (with specials marked according to store), list of my menu broken down into “hot” and “cold” appetizers, and dessert items and drinks. I even notate which dish gets served at the approximate time and in what serving dish on what table. My next list indicates exactly what needs to be done, with columns for checking off when it’s been done. And, it’s all structured to keep a running count of how many hot appetizers, cold appetizer, cookies, etc. I’ve completed. Since I’ve been doing this, I have a much more organized time preparing for the party.
Decide on a menu or contact the caterer if you’re going that route. If you are using a caterer, be sure to check the party date with them. They’re very busy in November and December and they might not be available when you want them. You might consider hiring a “hostess helper” to help you during the party. I did this one year and it was a very relaxed party for me and I had almost no dishes to clean up or food to wrap up and put away. It cost me about $40 for the gentleman I hired. It was well worth it. One year, I hired my next door neighbor’s teenage daughter but I spent more time showing her how I wanted things done and it really wasted my time.
Prepare as many dishes as you can days, maybe weeks before the party. Many things freeze or store beautifully. I serve meatballs every year and they freeze well so I make them very early in December. Soft cookies (chocolate chip) go into my Tupperware containers so I make two or three batches a week when I have time. Cupcakes also freeze well but don’t frost them until they have been defrosted. And, don’t freeze stuffed mushrooms-I did once and they tasted fine, looked horrible and went directly from the oven to the garbage. If you’re not sure about freezing, do some research, and, if necessary, experiment with a small portion of the dish to see how it does. I frequently do this with new dishes I want to serve.
Be creative with your serving ideas. I use my big, heavy white turkey platter for an edible wreath made up of a spinach spread shaped like a wreath, the bow is a spread of ham and cream cheese and I “decorate” the wreath with tiny tomatoes, bits of pimento, etc. “Inside” the wreath go the assorted crackers. Voila! A very attractive centerpiece on the cold buffet table. I love using baskets and I take wicker sleds, covered with a couple of napkins to serve cookies or candies in. Other baskets, covered with red or green napkins might hold bread cubes for the fondue or cubes of angel cake for the chocolate fondue. Consider how many electrical appliances you’ll use on what plugs. I once had a fire during my open house. I plugged the coffee pot in and there was immediately a fire. I yelled “fire” and no one moved. A minister stepped up and disconnected the coffee pot and the party went on, sans the coffee.
Purchase all last minute food items the day before and prepare as many dishes as possible the day before or early in the day of the party. Be sure you buy plenty of ice – what your icemaker provides may not be enough for a large group. Arrange the flowers, chill the wine as necessary and set your bar, table and/or buffet table(s). You’ll find a list of dishes to be served a good way to remember everything you’re going to serve; it’s easy to forget a side dish in the rush to get everything to the table on time.
Give yourself enough time to relax and dress and do your hair and make-up for your party. Once you’re completely ready, light the candles, start the music and start setting appetizers out. Someone should greet all your guests at the door. If you don’t have a husband or he isn’t able to do this, you might ask a good friend who knows most of the guests to do this for you. You’ll probably be busy serving appetizers and drinks as guests arrive. Be sure you have non-adult drinks available for those who prefer not to drink alcohol. It’s a good idea to close the bar up at least half an hour before your last guests leave. I always serve plenty to coffee and tea also.
You might also give a favor out to your guests as they leave. Last year, at a holiday dinner, I presented everyone with an ornament at their seat at the table. Sometimes I wrap up a couple of cookies in a cello bag, tie with a pretty ribbon and set just outside the door to take as they leave.
Have fun and enjoy your party.
