Parties are a fun way to celebrate the season.They let you bring together family and friends, share fond memories, and make some new ones. But, as anyone who has thrown such a party already knows, they’re also a lot of work.Like gearing up for a big game, hosting a holiday party takes plenty of preparation, patience, and planning — and maybe even a Hail Mary pass or two. This year, score big at your seasonal soiree by using this holiday planning playbook.Pregame Warm-UpThe action begins long before the big day arrives — it starts with choosing your theme.“Choosing your theme makes everything else easier,” explains Renie Steves, owner of Cuisine Concepts in Fort Worth and an expert on entertaining at home. “With a holiday party, it’s so easy, because there are a lot of themes to choose from.”The theme will not only determine what kinds of food you serve, but also what style of invitations you choose. Having a casual holiday party? Try sending out a holiday card with the details of your event written on the back. For more formal affairs, Steves suggests sticking with classic printed invitations.“People appreciate something that’s a little bit different, so try to come up with an invitation and a theme that are going to stand out,” she says.Once you’ve chosen a theme, let the real planning begin! While most people immediately think of meal planning, Steves says it’s about so much more.“Your guest list and your music are two things you need to put a lot of thought into,” she advises. “Don’t just go with your good friends — invite some people they might not know. Diversity of guests is essential for a good party.”She says that’s particularly crucial for a sit-down dinner, but it makes a big difference regardless of the setting.“And make sure the music fits the crowd,” she says. If you’re not confident in your music collection, choose a channel from Spotify or Pandora. (Tip: Research stations in advance so you’re not scrambling as guests arrive.)The KickoffWhen the planning is over, the preparation begins. And once the guests begin to arrive, there’s no turning back. Make sure you’re ready at least 15 to 30 minutes before the guests are scheduled to arrive and that everything is in place to wow them the minute they walk through the door. That includes: — lighting candles. — turning on music. — setting out party favors and appetizers.First impressions really do last, so touches like an electric train on a track weaving around appetizers or desserts on a table, or large, clear vases filled with colorful holiday candies are fun and memorable ways to add holiday cheer.As new guests arrive, Steves says the hosts or hostesses should escort them to other partygoers and make an introduction. “So often at parties, people may not know each other and may talk only to the people they already know. This is a wonderful way to make sure they meet someone new,” she says.Game OnAs the party gets in full swing, you’ll have much more to do than just mingle with guests — and Steves says this is where preparation comes in handy.“If you’re hosting a seated meal, you can do several things in advance, such as chilling the salad plates and making the salad, so you aren’t trying to do that at the last minute,” she says.Cooking food a day or two beforehand and then heating it up as guests arrive is a good way to make sure the food is hot, fresh, and ready on cue. Keeping it simple, so you’re not overwhelmed when the time crunch hits, is crucial.“You could do something like grill a salmon and make a salsa in advance, and serve it buffet-style,” Steves suggests. “That way, you don’t have to worry about it being hot or cold. Look for things like that to make it simpler.”Most importantly, she recommends never trying a new dish the day of the party. Always give your recipe a test-drive before the event so you’re comfortable making it.Score!As the celebration winds down, Steves suggests sending guests home with party favors to make the evening more memorable. A gift bag of holiday cookies, a pad of Post-it notes with holiday sayings, or something that matches the theme of the event are among the parting gifts that add that extra touch.“It’s something you don’t see much of anymore,” Steves says. “But people love it. Doing things like that will make them remember it and talk about it after it’s over.”And, presumably, they’ll be waiting for next year’s invitation.
