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5 Tips for Hosting a Holiday Party

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We've partnered with ALLI MAE Fresh Events to bring you some fab party planning tips! 

So get festive and start planning your holiday party like a pro! 

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T’is the season! If you are like me, chances are you are hosting a holiday party this year. Just in time, check out my recommended tips for entertaining your friends, family and colleagues. 

1. Be Flexible 

If you haven’t confirmed a date for your holiday fete, it’s important to be flexible. Weekends in November and December are always full of plans and Thursday evenings are often booked up with work functions. Consider hosting your party as a Sunday brunch or on a Monday or Tuesday night. Chances are your turnout could be much higher if you ask people to come over after work instead of on a weekend. Old colleagues of mine have even decided to get together in January when everyone’s schedules have slowed down. When it comes to menu options, consider a potluck or a meal made entirely out of appetizers; it can be much easier, faster to prepare and allows for more mingling, not to mention a welcome relief after a season of sit down dinners. 

2. Décor with a twist

DIY: gold branches, metallic wine bottles, pine comb garland

Holiday ‘neutral’ is very popular now, (think pine cones and evergreen) with lesser emphasis on the traditional green and red! Lately I’ve seen a lot of metallic tones at this time of the year, (a little bit of metallic spray paint can go a long way to spruce up old holiday décor ranging from ornaments to table fixtures). If décor is stressing you out, keep it easy with scattered candles of varying heights and play some festive tunes in the background. Even a simple holiday card sitting in a bowl of holiday light bulbs is a festive (and cost effective way) to decorate a table. 

3. Give Back

                                                                 Gifts to Empower:  Give to local Toronto families, women and children HERE

I’m big on any community support linked with events but the holidays are a particularly good time of year to put on your charity hat. My friends and I are replacing the old $20 gift exchange with a group donation to a local woman’s shelter. If you still want to get in a shopping experience, think about compiling a beautiful basket of goodies for a family in need. At a minimum, everyone has a nonperishable food item laying around that you can collect and donate after your party! 

4. Get Mingling

                                                                                 DIY: Holiday Party Photobooth

Particularly for the larger parties, activity stations can encourage guest participation and are a great way to get people chatting with each other. Think about gingerbread man decorating, build your own s’more station or hot chocolate stations. Photo walls are always a hit as well. Last year I made a DIY photo wall out of gift wrap and used old ski jackets, poles and winter accessories to dress up. People loved the neon 90’s jacket throwback and they got the photo as a momento to take home. 

5. Have Fun

This is easier said than done but remember that no matter the size of your party, the holidays are about celebrating the friendships and important relationships in your life year round. If you are throwing a small party, let your guests help out when they arrive. Remember that it’s always OK to ask for help, (I’m still learning about this whole ‘delegation’ thing). If the kitchen is where you are comfortable, make sure to take time to thank and speak to all of your guests after dinner is done, laugh and share a favorite memory from the past year. There is always time for dishes later. 

Pour yourself a glass of champagne – you did it! 
Happy Holidays! 


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