Holiday Party Planning

Tis the Season for Holiday party planning! I know many of us love to entertain, but the thought of it can be a bit stressful! So, I wanted to gather some tips together to help you enjoy your party as much as your guests!

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4-3 Weeks Out:

• Get your guest list together and send invites out. If you want your guest out of your house by a certain time, then set an end time, if not, then don’t!
•  If you are planning a potluck, designate dishes to guests.

​About 3 Weeks Out:

• Plan your menu.
• Try to estimate how many people you will host, and purchase your nonperishable items. You can still tweak needed items once you get a more accurate count. Use this guide on Pinterest to help you figure out how much food you will need for each guest.
• Plan out what food items will be served in what dish. If you need extra serving pieces, ask a friend to borrow theirs…or if you entertain often, maybe now is a good time to “gift yourself” and purchase more.
• Plan your theme/décor.

Two Weeks Out

• ​​If you are hosting a potluck, set your RSVP date for now. That way, you will know what dishes will still need to be made for those who can't make it, and you can finalize your menu/shopping list.
• Purchase your remaining nonperishable items.
• Prepare dishes that can be frozen.

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One Week Out:

• Finalize your guest list.​
• Decide if you will need extra ice/coolers. Locate your coolers and/or borrow some from a friend. Remember to clean them out….coolers can get quite yucky!

3 Days Out:

• Clean your serving ware and glass ware.
• Purchase liquor, beer and wine.

​2 Days Out:

• Finalize your menu/shopping list and purchase any needed items, including your fresh items.
• Start cleaning! Save your bathroom for the day of the party.
• Start decorating.

1 Day Out:

• Start chilling sparkling and white wine.
• Start preparing fresh dishes/thaw any frozen dishes.
• Set up your bar area. 
• Finish decorating! Set up your dining table if you are having a sit down dinner, if not, set up a few “gathering areas” where people can mingle, set their drinks down and use their hands to eat that delicious food!

Day Of…Here we go!!!!

• ​​Designate a place where you will store people's coats, get extra hangers ready!
• Buy ice, get coolers situated.
• Set up the serving area. I like to set out my serving ware and put a sticky note as to what food items will be going into that dish. That way even hubby can help!
• Finish cleaning! Prep your powder room and make extra tissues/toilet paper and air freshener ACCESSIBLE!!! Consider using disposable guest towels so that you don’t have to worry about switching the guest towel out. Light a scented candle about 1 hour before party, along with any other scented candles you may be using throughout your home.
• Light any non-scented candles 30 minutes before go time.
• Remember to take time to enjoy yourself!

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​​​Day AFTER Party

• If you plan on having an annual Holiday party, do take some time the day after to take notes. Maybe you ran out of something, and you want to ensure that doesn’t happen again next year! Also, you may want to change up your menu from year to year, so keeping a track of yearly menus will be helpful next year when planning that party.

​I want to wish everyone planning parties this Holiday Season a successful event! I'd love to hear some of your tips in the comment section!

Cheers!
​Ali

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