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The holidays are quickly approaching and what this means is that people will want to get together to celebrate. One option to ensure that you see friends and family this season is to host a party at your house.
You may be hesitant or feel worried about doing so if you don’t tend to host very often at your home. However, there’s nothing to worry about when you plan ahead and take care of the details in advance. It’s also wise to review six tips for hosting a holiday party at your home so that a great time is had by all and you feel happy with the outcome.
Plan & Get the Word Out Early
The best course of action you can take when hosting a holiday party at your home is to plan and get started mapping out the to-dos and a timeline early. Make lists and checklists that will help you stay on track so you are ready to go when the event rolls around. Also, create your guest list and send out invitations and announce your party date and time as soon as possible. Send invites early so that guests can mark their calendars and you know how many people to expect on the day of the party. The earlier you do so the better in your case.
Spend Time on the Menu
The food will be a vital part of how well your party goes over in the end. When hosting a holiday party at your home you should spend plenty of time on the menu. You’ll not only want to have a delicious main dish to serve but also make some appetizers to pass such as these Bisquick sausage balls. Confirm you have a variety of drinks including non-alcoholic options and a dessert or two to serve at the end of the evening. You want your guests to leave feeling full and satisfied. Cook ahead so that you can just throw items in the oven as the evening plays out.
Prepare Your Home & Décor
Another tip for hosting a holiday party at your home is to prepare your space and the décor ahead of time. The theme should be pretty easy depending on the holiday and time of year so you can order or shop for items that will help bring it to life in your home. Also, make sure that you perform a deep cleaning of your property and pay special attention to cleaning up the areas where your guests will be mingling. You may also want to spend time sprucing up the guest bathroom in particular.
Create an Inviting Ambiance
You’ll also want to take the time to plan out and create an inviting ambiance in your home. It’s all about the environment you choose to produce and the type of way you want your guests to feel walking into and spending time in your home. A holiday party should always be fun and festive so set the right tone by having attractive table settings, the proper lighting, and making a holiday playlist of songs you can have on in the background. Aim for creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere where guests feel relaxed and ready to have a good time. You may want to remove any breakables just in case.
Introduce Guests & Be A Good Host
Depending on your guest list, some people may not know one another. As the host, it’s your responsibility and job to ensure that your guests feel comfortable in your home. Therefore, make it a point to introduce guests who don’t know each other. Be a good host by greeting each person who enters your house when they arrive and making sure everyone knows where they can get food and drinks and where your bathroom is located. Put yourself in the shoes of your guests and think like them to help you be the best host possible and make your guests feel at home.
Save the Cleanup
You should also plan on cleaning up later when guests leave or in the morning. When hosting a holiday party at your house you want to be present and engaged in the evening. Avoid being too busy and cleaning up while your guests are in your home trying to enjoy the party. Instead, focus on interacting and conversing with your visitors and make sure everyone is having a nice time. It may be a good idea to have large trash cans that you can put all the garbage in so it’s out of the way and you can clear it as you go.
