Before you start worrying over details, stop and think about what a perfect Christmas party means to you. It's not about keeping up with any neighbors. It's not doing things the way your family did when you were young. And it's really not about trying to be someone that you aren't.
So you now have permission to walk away from those stressful notions. As soon as you make the guest list, set up a four week count down "to do" list faultless with grocery and wine shopping lists.
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You can do this faster, but if you give yourself any weeks to prepare, the task is less daunting and you have more fun in the process. Plan a party that you as the hostess will really enjoy. That means no menu so complex that you're stuck in the kitchen.
You are the host, not the caterer, and your friends want to spend time with you. Whether you host a dinner or open house, choose foods that are straightforward to serve and self-managing - as in a crock pot or heated chafing dish.
Make sure your food choices are easy to handle. At an open house or cocktail party, guests will mingle and stand. So you need to serve finger foods and nothing that requires a fork and knife to eat.
A holiday party is ordinarily more dressed up than the summer backyard barbeque, so avoid messy foods. Save the lasagna or steak for a sit down dinner party. Even buffalo wings that work great for a football party don't go well with glitter and gowns.
To keep a party flowing, scatter food trays in any rooms, not just the dining room. Add a few cheese and sandwich trays in the living room and desserts in the family room. To direct your guests, print small cards at each location with directions like this:
"Fabulous Desserts Await You in the family Room." It's practically like a scavenger hunt which keeps guests inspiring and looking new conversation groups as well as more yummy treats.
For your holiday party, you'll want to merge many Christmas decorations. choose a color and theme. That doesn't mean buying out the party store with kitsch.
If you use a green tablecloth, town the table or serving area with red holly. Then repeat the holly sprigs (artificial are easier and safer) as napkin holders. You can even serve brownies with small red holly berries and green leaves piped from icing sold at the grocer's baking section. Small touches that repeat a color or theme make guests think you planned this months in advance!
Take lots of pictures. The hostess needs to get a digital photo taken with every guest or group. Not only is this a great memory of the party, but it can be sent to each guest with a "thanks for arrival to my party" card.
Or you can place the photo inside a Christmas ornament and give that as a personalized gift. Your guests will love this. After all, parties are about bringing together people you care about and enjoying the time you have together. Make this year's holiday party one that you remember.
How to Host the perfect Christmas Party