Holiday Soiree

Come up with a Theme
From Winter Wonderland to Hip Hop Holiday -- the possible holiday party themes are endless. It can be fun to pick a theme that you pick up in every aspect of the event -- the invitations, the decorations, the food, and the favors -- and it will set your party apart from all of the other holiday get-togethers your guests will attend this season.

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Team Work
Of course you can throw a hot party yourself, but why not team up with a few other friends, families or couples to throw a joint party? You can split up responsibilities among the various hosts to lighten your load and create a shared guest list so that all of your friends and families can mingle together.


Please Don't Stop The (Christmas) Music
Music is essential to most parties, but it's integral to holiday parties. Really, what's a Christmas party without some accompanying songs to hum along to and help your friends and family get into the spirit? Whether you're keeping it classic with the Temptations and Donny Hathaway or breaking out some more recent holiday hits from Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, or Ashanti, make programming your play list a priority.

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Creative Bartending
Because providing a full bar for your guests will probably break the bank, consider having a one signature, holiday-inspired cocktail or spiked punch for your guests. This way, you'll only have to purchase the ingredients for one type of drink that you can tailor to fit the theme of your party, and your guests will spend less time mixing their drinks and more time mingling. Make sure you also have a non-alcoholic option for guests who don't drink alcohol.

Budget, Budget, Budget
The economy is in the tank and money is tighter than usual for almost everyone. That doesn't mean we should forgo fun get-togethers, especially during the holidays. Unfortunately, a small holiday soiree can morph into a huge, expensive gala affair before you know it. If you decide to throw caution to the wind and have a holiday party, create a budget and stick to it. A party is about spending time with friends, not spending all of your cash.


Finish Prep Before The Guests Arrive
The worst kind of party is one where the host is stuck in the kitchen or running around refilling drinks and cleaning instead of actually hanging out with his or her guests. Make sure that everything is finished before the guests get in, and don't forget to take some time off from being the busy party planner to relax with your guests and have a good time. You didn't put in all of that hard work for nothing.


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Do Your Guests A Favor
It's nice to provide your guests with a little something to take home with them after a party, especially around holiday time. If you're resourceful, making favors doesn't have to break the bank. Give small decorative bags filled with homemade fudge or caramel corn, or tie ribbons around clusters of candy canes for a Christmas candy bouquets. It doesn't have to be fancy; guests will appreciate the thought and effort.


Present Gifts
If your guest list is made up of a close knit bunch, why don't you use the occasion of your holiday party for a gift exchange? Before the party, have your guests draw names out of a hat -- you can also do this yourself -- and have them bring the gift for the person they chose to the party. Set aside some time for opening presents, and make sure that you impose some sort of monetary limit so that your more generous friends don't go overboard.

Pick The Right Date
Most people are far busier than usual during the holidays. Before you plan your party, ask your friends and loved ones for some dates that work best for them. You won't be able to accommodate everyone, but asking ahead will ensure that you're not sitting in your meticulously-decorated living room listening to Motown Christmas songs all by your lonesome on the night of your party.


Pot Luck Is Good Luck
Unless you're a domestic goddess like B. Smith or Martha Stewart, the prospect of cooking for a whole house full of people probably fills you with dread. Luckily, there's a way you can have a fabulous party without spending days toiling over a hot stove: Throw a pot luck. Fix your best dish and have your friends do the same. Your guests get a wider variety of food and you spend less time in the kitchen. If you want to keep it simple, have a cookie exchange. Ask each guest bring a few batches of their favorite holiday cookie and copies of the recipe, and you provide baggies so that everyone can take home a selection of the home-baked goodies.


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