Holiday Party Planning Tips
Dear Holiday Party Planning Friend,
Holiday party planning is always a lot of stress and hard work for most people. But if you follow some of the basic tips on hosting a great event, you’ll be happy, healthier and more well rounded for having done so.
To make the occasion as memorable as possible, you’ll have to engage some outside help or have a family hard working people not afraid to chip in. The success of the event will depend mostly on your preparations. If you are the host then most likely, you will be coordinating everything. And you know what they say happens then. . . if you coordinate then you are obligated to make everyone else happy.
First of all if you choose one of the major holidays, your theme should come to you. Christmas, New Years, 4th of July, Memorial Day, St Patrick’s Day etc., are all national holidays in the United States. People get together and take time off of work.
If you are throwing the party around one of those days, all you need to do is tie in your theme with the holiday. How easy is that? I mean, you don’t have to think a ton about what to do, especially if its the 4th of July. In fact, most of those holidays actually have prescribed things we would normally do on those days. This should come as a relief for you.
Since everything is virtually done for you, your job is more of a coordinator. No matter what, with most holidays, they tend to focus around eating festive foods. Another name for this could be themed foods. Just think about that for a moment. Thanksgiving is a themed out holiday. You know exactly what traditionalists recommend for your menu because of the holiday rituals. You know what to wear. How to decorate. Even down to the types of foods to prepare.
Along with having the theme for the party preselected for you, you may already have a pre made guest list. Your list would probably include friends, family, relatives and of course those from your church or religious institution.
Sometimes it is not appropriate to bring your child to a holiday gathering. For example, in Louisiana, Mardi Gras is celebrated by virtually everyone. They have all sorts of festive activities going on. Many include alcohol. And of course children below a certain age should not imbibe. The same thing could be said for a New Years Eve party. The type and amount of adult activity may preclude you from bringing your child to the event.
Some hosts are very flexible with the age limitations. But don’t take advantage of them by trying to avoid getting a baby sitter for your child should you decide to attend the event. Your party plans should not be a last minute effort this holiday season. Having a child at an adult party can make even the most gracious hostess a little uncomfortable.
