Survival Guide for Holiday Parties

Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Boxing Day or New Years it’s all a question of survival and a lot of work.

Oct 25, 2006 Devorah Stone

Planning, lists, invitations, help, food, drink and activities, it's a lot of work putting together a fun holiday party. Here's some tips for a fun holiday party!

I look at the calendar and think “Oh no! What am I going to do? It’s coming up!” First thing is not to panic. If you are organized and relaxed it will all work out and even if it doesn’t there’s always next year.

Here are some tips that might help:

To Start:

  • Talk to your family and close friends, find out what they want to do. You might be surprised- they might not want anything too fancy or large. More consulting tips.
  • Write lists. If you have a list, probably more than one then you’ll know what to do and when to do it. It’s also a great source of accomplishment and satisfaction if you can cross off another task on the list!
  • List tasks in the order of priority and don’t worry if you don’t accomplish all of them. Concentrate on the important tasks on the list.
  • Phone or send out invitation as early as you can. I find that many people ignore email invitations so always follow up with phone calls. Phone them up a few days before the event to make sure that they are coming. Ask if they have food allergies or if they are vegetarians.

Help: Planning a party can be a lot of work so don’t try and do it all yourself.

  • If someone asks if they can bring something, say yes, and tell them what they can bring.
  • Get help from your family. Every child over the age of six can help. The more they help the less you have to do. Even if your child can’t do much this year, next year they will be able to do more. Let your children help you.
  • Get your husband to help.
  • Get as much help as you can from relatives or friends. If someone offers to help, let them.
  • If you can afford it, hire help. Even someone to just clean up the next day or help you set up can make it all less stressful.
  • The teenager across the street might lend a hand for some extra pocket money.
  • If you don’t like using paper plates look into renting proper plates, saves on all that washing up.

Food and Drinks:

  • Remember your guests want to see, you don’t spend all your time in the kitchen. Prepare as much food as you can ahead of time.
  • Not everything on the table has to be made from scratch. It’s alright to buy something from a deli or the bakery.
  • You can also use a caterer for some dishes but add your own.
  • Don’t prepare anything you haven’t tried at least once before so you can be sure it will work.
  • If a dish doesn’t turn out exactly the way you wanted it to- its ok, so long as it is eatable serve it and don’t say anything. Usually a bit of parsley or serving it on top of lettuce or in the case of a cake more icing will make it look great. If it looks good people will eat it.
  • Have one large main dish along with side dishes.
  • Always serve salad, it fills up a plate and just about everyone likes it. (See salad suggestions below)
  • Serve fruit with dessert for those who are watching their calories.
  • Have appetizers ready so people don't get the munchies while they wait.
  • Serve treats, special dishes along with nutritious but tasty food.
  • Have at least one non alcoholic punch and go easy on the alcoholic one. Rowdy drunks can ruin any party.
  • If it’s an all adult party consider having your guests make their own drinks. But have someone in charge of making sure no one over does it or drives home drunk.
  • You may also consider having a cooking party this is an especially good idea for latkes or ginger bread houses or cake decorating or some other family dish that may seem a bit much for one or two people but might be fun for many hands. It could be part of the main party or a before- helping-out- event.
  • Don't apologize for anything on the table. Don't worry if it doesn't taste or look like Mom's. You're not in competition with anyone!

Here are 5 Fast Party Food Fixes!

And my Drink Index

Decorations: I like decorations they add a festive touch and set the mood.

  • My best decorations are my children’s. They are always so bright and colourful.
  • Dollar stores have wonderful bright fun decorations that make any party - fun. Get a colourful plastic table cloth so you can clean up all those spills easily. I love napkins in all kinds of colors. Streamers also make any room festive.
  • Find out where you can rent decorations.
  • Look around the house and use your imagination for decoration ideas.

Here are some computer craft ornaments ideas.

Activities: People need to do more than stand around, eat and talk:

  • If you’re having children over, plan at least one activity, a craft or a piñata or tree decorating or a draydel game. Something other than watching a video or pestering adults.
  • Older children can look after and plan activities for younger ones.
  • Games aren’t just for kids, adults can have fun too. Think about activities grown ups might like, such as trivia or guessing games or perhaps some of your guests can play a musical instrument or sing.
  • A good old fashion sing -along or a modern Karaoke party can be fun with the right crowd.
  • One year I had a Winter Solstice Party where we all told family ghost stories around a fire.
  • I went to another party, for adults where we created collages from scraps of colored paper and magazines. It was fun!
  • Have everyone bring a small wrapped gift for less than $25 that they can trade with others. It’s always fun to open the gift and see what everyone has.

Don’t forget to relax, enjoy your guests and have fun!

No one likes to get sick before a party here are 10 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

And here's What Not to Buy for Christmas

If you have any ideas please post in discussion:.

Other Holiday Links

Holiday Drinks

Drink Index

Hanukkah

St.Nicholas Day

5 Fast Party Food Fixes!

Smoked ham, sturgeon and almonds

Festive Party Mini Cheese Balls

Spinakapita

Holiday Parties Consulting

Invitations

Lists

Help

Decorations

Don't forget your teacher - here's a list of presents.

Here's a list of salad ideas:

Coleslaw

Greek Salad

Potato Salad and Rolls

Here's an Appetizer Recipe Index

Holiday Index

If you'd rather have your party in a restaurant : Here are Restaurant Tips.

The copyright of the article Survival Guide for Holiday Parties in Seasonal Cooking is owned by Devorah Stone. Permission to republish Survival Guide for Holiday Parties in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Comments

Oct 25, 2006 3:46 PM
Jacqueline Church :
Good guide Devy! I always tell people that entertaining is just like any project they've managed at work. A little forethought and you can be a guest at your own party.

Here are a few of my tips:
- Guests will often ask what they can do to help. Have a couple of tasks that you can easily delegate, e.g. assign one to pick up or refill empty glasses; another can replenish nut and candy dishes; someone can bring nice disposable cocktail napkins.
- Ham and biscuits are an easy party table food. Carve pieces of ham ahead of time and have a plate stacked with biscuits. Small pots of honey mustard or cranberry sauce nearby enable guests to make their own sandwiches.
Happy holidays!
Jackie
Oct 25, 2006 5:06 PM
Devorah Stone :
Your idea sounds yummy!

Having tasks for people is a good idea so is assembling part of your own meal another great idea is pita bread cut in half with salads and hummus.

Thanks!
2 Comments
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