Have you found yourself in the Christmas spirit this holiday season? Just dying to get your friends and family together to share a little cheer and goodwill? Of course you are, I know I am!!!  I know Christmas is sneaking up quickly but putting together a Christmas party doesn’t have to take all year. With a little planning, it will be no time before you and your guests will be dancing around the Christmas tree!

1. Get your party on the calendar as soon as possible; calendars fill up quickly during the holidays.
2. Decide what kind of party you are looking forward to. Will you have a huge Christmas bash with everyone you know, or just a few close friends for a more intimate setting?
3. Make a guest list. Keep in mind the group size you can accommodate for a sit down dinner or for mingling with finger foods and drinks.
4. Decide on a menu and make your grocery list. Don’t forget extra ice, and paper goods.
   “This is a great time to pull out the tried and true recipes. They are always crowd pleasers and usually easy and fairly inexpensive choices, or go for the quick but festive choices with take out sushi.”
5. Send Invitations. I recommend electronic invites, easy and quick to send out and get instant response from your guests. Make sure to include party times, if a meal will be served and appropriate dress.
   “Christmas is creeping up so get them out fast, plus you can set up auto reminders for your guests.”
6. Time to decorate… Oh wait, your house is probably already decorated for Christmas; just add a few fresh touches like some fresh flowers or candles. Keep your party trays and desserts festive with fresh herb or cranberry garnishes.
   “Check that one right off your list!”
7. Put everyone in the holiday spirit with a well selected Christmas playlist. It will lure your guests right in and keep them smiling and laughing all night long.
   “Most Cable plans make this really easy for you with the music choice channels. I know we have one called Traditional Holiday Tunes that is non-stop holiday music plus pops up Christmas trivia every little bit… great conversation starters. Did you know that in 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the number one selling toy?”

8. Consider making it a charity event. Even if you are only entertaining a few friends, ask everyone to bring a small donation to collect for a local charity. Some suggestions might be, canned food for a food pantry, unwrapped toy for charity such as toys for tots, or children’s story books, or activity pads for a local children’s hospital.

Our Christmas Tradition: Bigger isn’t always better.
“We have a close group of friends that we love to be with, but with everyone’s hectic holiday schedule, paths don’t seem to cross as much. A few years ago, we started meeting at a nice restaurant(NO KIDS)one weeknight before Christmas, for Dutch treat dinner, and then come back to our house for cider, coffee, hot cocoa, and desserts!
Dinner out allows everyone to relax and order what they would like, and takes a huge load off the hostess. Anyone whose schedule didn’t allow them to make dinner always meets afterwards for desserts.

By the way, everyone goes home with a small plate of homebaked goodies to enjoy the rest of the week! Just a personal touch to tell friends they are a blessing to us!”

Stevendepolo

Indieyuppie

Sushi