Though some holiday parties started in November, it’s officially time to spread holiday cheer with coworkers, friends and of course our families. Have you thought about planning a party yourself? Planning a holiday party is a lot easier than one might think. You only need a few items and an awesome idea to draw people in.
Try having a winter wonderland theme with a light blue, dark blue, silver and white color scheme.
Make fake snowballs using styrofoam balls and silver or white glitter–mix it up by using varying sizes of styrofoam and both colors of glitter.
Hang snowflakes around your home. I purchased blue, plastic, glittery snowflakes from my local Dollar Store a few years back, and every year I hang them up at varying lengths. I usually do it across a doorway, or I do it over the bar area in the kitchen.
You can make your own snowflakes out of paper and “glitterize” them, or I’m sure you can find some at the store for a low price.
Purchase blue and silver table settings and decorations of your choosing. This will add to the effect that everything is supposed to be cold and icy. I know most stores have blue and silver ornaments that come in 12 packs. You can use these to make centerpieces.
Holiday parties typically involve a gift exchange, although that of course is not mandatory. You can change it up a bit by having a cookie exchange instead. This is great for any kind of party, whether it’s in the office or with friends and family. Also your guests won’t feel obligated to buy something spectacular for a gift exchange. With this idea, your guests can show off their baking skills and enjoy some freshly baked goodies. The amount of guests you have will determine how many cookies everyone should make. If you’re having a small party of four, I would suggest having them make 2 dozen cookies to bring over. If you plan on having 6-12 guests, they should make 5 dozen cookies to share. Each guest should bring a different kind of cookie than someone else. Make sure your guests RSVP with what cookies they’re going to bring. This way 10 people won’t show up with chocolate chip cookies.
Have a separate table from your dinner or hors d’oeuvres that everyone can set cookies on. Towards the end of the party gather everyone around and tell them to take “x” amount of cookie. Try and make everything even so that people can grab at least one or two of each.
Make sure you grab at least one of everyone’s cookies! Susie Q may have burnt some of her cookies or Billy Joe may have made some banana cream cookies, and you hate banana. Don’t make them feel left out by not grabbing one of their cookies. You can simply throw them out when you get home. It’s supposed to be a fun party, and we don’t want feelings to get hurt.
As a party favor you can pick up some plates or cookie trays from your local Dollar Store, or anywhere that will sell them super cheap. Decorate the plates and give them to your guests. You can draw holiday images on them or you can write something along the lines of “Cookie Exchange 2011. Happy Holidays From {name here}.” It gives your guests a more permanent party favor. Give your guests some colored Saran Wrap or some tinfoil to cover their cookies with.
Another favor idea is buy some cookie cutters and hang them with blue or silver ribbon on your tree, or set them on a table with a sign saying take one. Make sure you have a few extra so the last person to grab one isn’t stuck without any options.
Other than that, play some good holiday music or party music and let your guests enjoy, relax and mingle with one another. Info provided by party411 Photos courtesy of JuditK, Candie_N, and jillmotts
