10 Best Tips For Hosting A Successful Holiday Party

You just agreed to host the next holiday gathering and now you’re freaking out…right!?  I’ve totally been there!  This past winter, we did a ton of renovating.  Everyone wanted to see the house but instead of having people drop by one by one.  I (brilliantly 🙄) thought hosting the holidays would be smarter…  Well, first I was super excited because I truly do love having people over.  Then I realized I was crazy.  I was now planning to host 30+ people for the day and I really didn’t think everything through.  So to help save your sanity, here are my best tips for hosting a successful holiday party, (like having enough beverages with this NewAir 177 Beverage Fridge.)  Get ready to take some notes!  

10 Best Tips For Hosting A Successful Holiday Party

1:)  Clean After The Party

I’m not entirely kidding here.  Save some stress by doing just a little cleaning and straightening before the party.  Focus on the main things that people will actually notice.   Skip the baseboards and back room.  Then do a deep clean after everyone leaves so you’ll enjoy a clean house for a few weeks.  Trust me, the people you have over are not going to care if there’s a little dust on the shelf or your bathroom needs painting.  Everyone is coming over to have a great time and be with YOU!  Not your house.

2:)  Don’t Over Complicate Things

Step away from Pinterest!  While we all would probably love to host a pin-worthy gala, if you’re like me, that just ain’t happening.  There’s no need to spend hundreds on decor and table settings.  Keep it simple.

3:)  The Food

I’m ALL about the food.  The old saying may be ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’.  But truly, that also describes me!  If I don’t have to cook it, but it tastes great, AWESOME!  So sit down, plan a doable menu, and serve up some awesome grub.  I try to have at least two main dishes, sometimes three.  Then planning for fresh fruit and veggies is a must.  Finish off with a side dish or two and dessert.  Boom!  

4:)  Use Paper Products

Please don’t cringe.  This will save you so much time and headaches.  And if you haven’t looked lately, some of the paper products available actually look quite nice!  Almost like china!  So if the thought of paper plates makes you cringe, splurge for the fancy disposable plates and silverware that look ‘real’.

5:)  Small Details Can Make A Big Impact

Now I know I said to get off Pinterest.  However, that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t do something.  Pick up some fresh flowers for your main centerpiece.  Or add some balloons.  Dollar store vases with glass beads or marbles are a very cheap, yet pretty way to dress up the tables.

6:)  Choose Your Guests 

I know it can be tough to whittle down a guest list.  However, you want to make sure that YOU have a good time, right?  So don’t invite people who cause drama, or someone you’ll have to spend the whole night with, making sure they are having fun.  Invite guests that can interact on their own and add something positive to the event.

7:)  Plan For The Kids

Will this be a family friendly holiday party?  Be sure you take the kids into account.  Have enough seating and table space for them as you definitely don’t want kids sitting on the sofa trying to eat and drink.  Plan a couple child or family friendly activities.  Or have some simple toys or games available.  (I’ve found that a basking of blocks or wooden train set can keep kids of all ages busy for hours!)  Also, you don’t have to spend money on games if you don’t want.  Have a few decks of cards out!  They can play all sorts of simple games with them.  (Crazy 8, War, Old Maid, Memory/Matching, Kings Corner, etc.)

8:)  Make It Special

Want your holiday party to stand out?  One of my favorites of our best tips for hosting a successful holiday party is to make it special!  Depending on the time of year or the group you’re inviting, there are lots of things you can do.  Just a few ideas to get you started:

• Costume Party
• Ugly Sweater
• Murder Mystery Dinner
• Game Night
• Pie Day (where everyone brings a pie to share or all you serve is a variety of pies)
• Karaoke Party
• Fiesta
• Pajama Party
• Superhero Themed 
• Hawaiian Luau
• 80’s Theme
• Fairy Tale Gala  
• Black Light Party
• Around The World 
• Casino Night
• Jail Break

9:)  Easy Access To Food

Once everyone arrives, the last thing you want to do is be serving everyone.  So have the food in an easy access location.  People tend to gather in the kitchen, living room, and dining room.  So, depending on your set-up, choose the best one for your home and have the food there.  Make sure everything is set out, in crock-pots, and ready to go so it’s self-serve.

10:)  Have Enough Beverages

The LAST thing you want to happen is to run out of food or beverages.  So make sure you plan for more than you think you’ll need.  And along with having easy access to the food is also easy access to the beverages.  And the NewAir 24” Built-in 177 Can Beverage Fridge helps make that happen for you!  You can visit my full NewAir 24” Built-in 177 Can Beverage Fridge Review to learn more!

PS>  In case you’re wondering, our party was, indeed, a success!