(Image courtesy of Oakley Originals)
The holidays are the time of year for celebrating. From Thanksgiving to New Years, now is the time to gather your loved ones together and have a good time! With all the joy and the fun to be had this time of year, it's sad to realize that many hosts get bogged down in the intricacies of having guests over to your place.
The writers over at Apartment Therapy share your pain. That's why they've compiled this list of prep tips to insure you can enjoy your holiday party just as much as your guests! Keep reading to learn more.
Plan ahead. While some of the best gatherings are spontaneous in nature, it never hurts to plan early, especially at this time of year. From bulk-buying booze to save money to cooking-and-freezing food ahead of time to save time, a day of prep here and there will make the lead-up to your party much more manageable. Consider your playlist, decor, lighting and coat storage ahead of time, in addition to the obvious food-drink-guests triad.
Have a (loose) theme.
Maybe not strictly necessary, but come on— everybody loves a theme! You might decide to play mainly 90s music or serve only Mexican-themed drinks; a theme doesn't have to be prescriptive, and can add to the fun.
Because my party's on a Sunday, I decided to give it a "holiday brunch" vibe; from scones and strata on the menu to an apropos "sweatpants and sequins" suggested dress code, it'll artfully combine (or at least that's the hope) two of my favourite things: lazy Sundays and partying with friends.
Do a signature drink.
People will bring wine to your party, that's a given. Have some beer in the fridge for those who don't like wine. Sparkling water and sodas for kids and those who don't want to drink alcohol, of course. But the real draw to the drink station should be unique to your party: something festive and fun, that you can make in a pitcher or a punch bowl so you don't have to be playing bartender all night.
It's all in the details.
It's the little things that make people smile, and that they'll remember when the hangover wears off. Decorate one wall with a "photo booth" backdrop for festive selfies, hang some mistletoe over the mirror in the bathroom, place strategic bowls of chips or plates of cookies around your home. Lighting is a big one for me: the more candles strewn about, the better.
Remember, it's just a party.
The whole point of a party is to spend time with your guests in the spirit of celebration. If one of the dishes is burnt or if the prosecco runs out early, no one will care. Chances are, no one will notice. Pour yourself a drink, put on your favorite track and go chat up a friend. You deserve it!
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