Here are some tips on Hosting Holidays at your home that might make things a little less stressful and give you time to enjoy!
The holidays are a fun time of year. There are so many gatherings and parties, and you might be hosting one of them. You may want to put a little more effort into planning a party than you usually would if it’s in your home. It can seem overwhelming to host a large-scale event, but it becomes more manageable than you’d think if you break it down into smaller responsibilities.
Follow these tips to throw the holiday party of a lifetime.
1. Invite People Promptly
You should send out invitations to everyone you want to invite to your gathering as soon as you have a date. Getting invitations out early is essential to securing attendance during this busy season. People who know about your party should RSVP before getting invitations from others.
If you go the route of traditional invitations, consider printing them on recycled paper to ensure your party is as eco-friendly as possible. If your get-together is more casual, send out digital invitations instead.
2. Plan a Menu Around Guests
You should always consider your guests before planning your menu. If anyone on your guest list has allergies, be sure to avoid their triggers as much as possible. Ask people if they have any special dietary restrictions. You may want to do this personally rather than on the invitation, as you don’t know whether they’ll RSVP by mail or simply tell you that they’re coming.
You’ll also want to overestimate how much food you need so no one goes hungry. Consider your guests to understand how much food you should make or buy. Older people don’t eat as much as younger ones, but you should budget for around six appetizers per person. To cut down on some of the financial burden, you can ask your guests to bring a dish or two and host a potluck instead.
3. Decorate — or Don’t
Not every holiday party needs decorations. Sometimes, the right music is enough to set the mood for what you’re celebrating. However, if you decide to have a party theme, lean into it. Make sure to decorate according to the theme, but you don’t have to go overboard. You can always work with what you already have in your home instead of buying new decor.
Above all, your home should be clean. Consider following a checklist that considers all the spots you don’t think of cleaning regularly. You can always block off areas you don’t want your guests wandering into, but cleaning your whole home is a great way to help people feel welcome and rid yourself of worry.
4. Utilize a Cooler
Chances are that you’ll run out of space in your refrigerator and freezer if you expect a large crowd during your gathering. You might need to rely on a cooler to keep drinks or desserts cool. Make sure to use ice packs in your freezer, as they can keep items cold for a longer period than regular ice can. You can always ask one of your guests to bring a cooler if you need more room. They’ll likely be happy to help you out.
5. Have a Timeline Ready
You don’t need to stick to a rigid timeline, but knowing what you should be doing at any point of the evening is a good idea. You’ll want to plan for dinner, games or opening presents. If you host this event every year, your guests may expect an “understood” timeline — where they know which event follows what rather than specific times things need to be done. Timelines are important for every gathering, especially if you haven’t hosted one before.
6. Subtly Encourage Cleaning
You don’t want to be hounding your guests all night, but you may not have the energy after your event to clean up. In that case, you’ll subtly want to encourage cleaning. Have enough trash cans for your guests, and if you need to, periodically remove the garbage and replace the bags. People shouldn’t have to wander around looking for somewhere to place their trash, and many might leave it lying around. Place a can in every room so they’re easily accessible.
7. Ask for Help
Above all, if you’re having trouble hosting a big event on your own, ask someone you trust for help. This doesn’t make you look weak or incapable — it shows you care about the event and want everyone to have a good time. Most people will want to assist you and lessen your load so you can enjoy your own party. Your loved ones want to have fun, but nobody wants that at the cost of your sanity.
Host a Happy Holiday for Everyone
Hosting a party can be difficult, but with some practice, you’ll become a seasoned host whose events everyone loves. Make sure to ask for help when needed, whether you’re having difficulties with something significant or minuscule.
Remember that the purpose of your party is to get everyone together so you can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with one another. Don’t stress out so much about your event that you forget the season’s true meaning.
Cora’s passion is to inspire others to live a happy, healthful, and mindful life through her words on Revivalist – wholeheartedly convincing them that everyday moments are worth celebrating. Cora has spent 5+ years writing for numerous lifestyle sites – hence her sincere love for both life and the beauty of style in all things. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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