10 Tips for Hosting Your First Holiday Party

The holidays are the best time of year, but they can also be the most stressful, especially if you’re hosting a family get-together for the first time! Never fear, it just takes a little practice… but some awesome tips from us doesn’t hurt either! Keep on reading below to find out how you can make your first holiday party a success:

Have a Potluck -
 

We all know that friends and family members can have their own specialty recipes that are down right delicious! If you think your guests would like your Aunt Milly’s apple cobbler, have her bring it to the party!

Start Your Own Tradition -

Traditions are a huge part of what makes the holidays so special, so why not try creating a holiday tradition of your own? You can pick a game for everyone to play, make a certain dish every year, or a pick a great movie to watch!

Be Considerate -

As a host / hostess, it’s important to consider those who have particular food allergies. Make sure you have some dishes that accommodate to the specific needs of your guests!

Start Planning Early -

Start planning your holiday party 3-4 weeks in advance -- make a list of everything you will need, from recipes to party decor. This will help take a huge load off of your shoulders when the holiday arrives!

Buffet Style -

If you have a lot of guests coming, it can be hard to cram everyone at the table. A buffet can help set the tone for a less formal, more casual dining experience where guests can sit in the living room, or wherever they feel most comfortable.

Play Some Music -

Every good party needs to have some music! Play some holiday faves in the background to really get the holiday spirit flowing.

Make It Flexible -

When inviting a bunch of friends and family, make the times flexible so that guests know that they can drop by for a bit and leave when they need to! This will keep your home from being filled to the brim with people.

Cook What You Know -

Cooking for a special occasion is stressful enough as it is, but when it’s your very first time hosting, you don’t want to be trying to perfect all of these new recipes. Keep things stress free and stick with recipes that you’ve done before!

Seating Arrangement -

If you decide to have everyone sit at the dining room table, think about the seating arrangement. Not all family members get along, so it’s a good idea to make sure that the right people are sitting next to each other. This will make the dining experience more pleasant!

Fun Activities -

To keep the party from getting dull, or if everyone is waiting for a meal to be served, get some fun activities going to keep everyone entertained! Scattergories or Catch Phrase anyone?