How to be the Perfect Christmas Party Host
As the Christmas party host, you have a lot on your mind. With the planning, decorating, cooking, and hosting of the event itself, you’ve got plenty of things to get done. And for all of that hard work, you want your party to be a hit, right? Well, here’s what to do to ensure that everyone has a great time. Your guests will be talking all about this year’s Christmas Party!
Send Festive Invitations
Not only does a festive invitation get your guests excited before the event, it also helps make sure you reserve a spot on their busy holiday calendar! The sooner you send out your invites out the better. (I recommend shooting for the first 2 weeks of November to get those invites out before someone else does). Since people often travel during the holidays, be sure that your event is well timed so your guests can attend.
Make your invitations pop so they can help build anticipation for your Christmas party. You can create free invitations (without that “free trail” nonsense) at Greetings Island (as long as you don’t mind their watermark on the invitation), where they have some of the cutest designs I’ve seen yet. Another great option is Canva (no watermark on free designs), where you can create your own designs from scratch! Download the free template above here.
Choose a Festive Theme
While you can easily host a simple straightforward Christmas party, a fun way to mix it up it to pick a theme. Themes are great because they help when you’re planning your menu, designing your invitations, and choosing your decorations.
If you don’t want to theme your whole party, consider picking some specific activities to give your event that extra seasonal touch. (This is the option I often choose.) If you are interested in adding a theme or themed activity to your Christmas party this year, be sure to read my Christmas Activities Post!
Deck Those Halls!
No Christmas party is complete without the decorations. Put up the tree, string the lights, and hang up the garland, it’s Christmastime! No matter how minimal or extravagant your decorations are, be sure you add that fun holiday flair to your home. It will get your guests in the Christmas spirit!
Engage with Your Guests
A the Christmas party host, the most important thing is that you are interacting with your guest during the party. Be sure you’re not spending all your time prepping in the kitchen; you should be socializing with your guests. The more you are enjoying yourself and engaging with them, the more they will enjoy it too!
Greetings & Send-Offs
Another important point to make here is that you should be greeting your guests when they arrive. If you are a bit busy and unable to welcome them at the door, greet them as soon as you are available too. Each guest should feel noticed and appreciated for coming.
On a similar note, do your best to say goodbye to everyone before they leave. Most guests will seek you out before they go, so be sure to take a few minutes to thank them for coming and to wish them a very Merry Christmas!
Make Introductions
If you have any guests that don’t know anyone, be sure to give them some extra attention. Introduce them the other guests, or even ask a few friends to talk with them. This is always helpful in making your new guests feel included. Check out this post on How to Make Your House More Welcoming for some additional new guest tips.
Feed Your Guests
We all know that the best parties have plenty of food for guests to enjoy. We don’t want anyone going hungry on our watch! Consider making Christmas inspired food that will really stand out. Use red and green colors or shape your appetizer trays into trees and wreaths.
There are so many deliciously adorable appetizers out there for this holiday! To get you started check out these Christmas Appetizer Recipes from Play Party Plan or take a look at the 30 Best Christmas Appetizers from Insanely Good Recipes.
Remember, you can always turn your event into a potluck and inspire your guests to get creative! Many people will have fun with this pre-party activity.
Offer Festive Drinks
Equally as fun as themed food is having a themed seasonal beverage, or two! Whether it’s a simple holiday punch or a fancy crafted cocktail, your guests will be loving the Christmas flair you add to their glass this holiday season.
Remember that garnish can go a long way here. A sprig of rosemary, some fresh cranberries, or a sugared rim help to add that extra touch. Looking for some recipes? This post from A Couple Cooks will have you struggling to pick just one!
Make it Memorable!
Holiday parties are meant to be fun. This is a time where everyone can let loose a bit and unwind from any holiday stress they may be feeling. As the Christmas party host, it’s you job to have some fun festivities planned for the evening! This can include many things, whether you are playing traditional party games, planning some Christmas themed games, or displaying a photo backdrop with props for your guests to take pictures. Here are 27 fun game ideas from Country Living to get the party started.
Cue the Music
Nothing sets the mood of a Christmas party quite like the music! I recommend making your own holiday playlist (we use Spotify) or at the least finding a good pre-made one beforehand. Whether it’s the classics, new artists, or some Christmas instrumentals for background ambiance, Christmas tunes are guaranteed to help set the vibe of your holiday event.
Give Them a Small Gift
Completely optional, but this is a little added touch I like to do. I enjoy making cookie to-go bags for everyone so they have a tasty little gift to take home with them. Any type of small homemade treat would be perfect here, candies, jam, pot simmer in a bag, any small token that says “thank you”.
Another alternative to this would be to have a gift exchange. Be sure to set a price limit and keep it inexpensive. Many people are buying a lot of gifts this season, so you want to be respectful of their holiday budget.
Embrace the Holiday Spirit
As the Christmas party host, you may feel like all the pressure is on your for the evening, but try to focus on being present. Relax, and don’t fuss about everything having to be perfect! Just allow yourself to fully enjoy the event. Remember what is most important this time of year; spending time with family and friends.
