Entertaining For The Holidays

Holiday parties and open houses.  They sound imposing, but really, they are quite easy to pull off.  All you need is a theme and a few ideas, and you can be the star host or hostess as well!

First of all, pick a day that works for YOU.  While being considerate of our guests’ schedules, if it isn’t a good day or time for you, then it isn’t an option.  Choose several days and times that are good with your schedule, then run them by a few of your potential guests to see what their reaction is to them.  That should give you a good feeling for a day and time that are good for everyone.

Next, choose a theme.  If you love snowmen, go with snowmen.  Winter scenes, Santas, trees and candy canes are great decorating themes.  Or, go with a solid theme such as silver or gold.  Coordinate your plates, napkins and accessories for a more unified appearance to your spread.  Look for matching and coordinating centerpieces as well.  They can be used on side tables, accents in the bathroom, and even on the front door as a friendly and different greeting for your guests.  And, add some dimension to your decorating by adding some hanging decorations from the ceiling!  Your entire setting will be a sparkling wonderland!

Send out those invitations!  You can tie these in with your theme easily, or go with something different. If you are the creative type, write a quippy poem or clever saying to go with your invitation.  And, make your invitation extra-special by including a bit of confetti in the envelope.  It is like receiving a party in the mail!

Finally, decide on a menu.  If it is an open house, come-and-go affair, then provide finger foods and snacks that will be conducive to mingling and motion.  Or, if you would rather have more of a formal gathering, check out sites such as Southern Living and Martha Stewart for menu ideas.  Another easy idea for a holiday gathering is the traditional pot-luck meal.  This puts more of the responsibility on the guests, and it frees up more of your preparation time!

As the guests arrive, put on some holiday tunes, wear a big smile and get ready to enjoy your guests.  Holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be a whole lot of work - make it a gift to yourself this year!