Holiday party planning starts now
Earning the title of ‘host with the most’ requires planning, preparation and a theme
You’re finally doing it. Every time the holiday season has rolled round, you’ve wanted to host a party, but every year your schedule has been too crazy. This year, you’ve settled on hosting one, you have a date picked, now where do you go from here? Send invites out Nancy Zaretsky, founder and head stylist of Toronto’s My Perfect Party Inc., recommends getting those invitations out as soon as possible.
Once you’ve set the date, give some thought as to the type of party you’d like. A casual one? A formal affair? Where are you going to host it? In your home or somewhere else? Think theme Zaretsky says that themed parties are the trend these days in pulling together holiday affairs.
“So it’s beyond just a colour scheme,” she says. “Now people do things like an Ugly Sweater Party or a movie theme or something specific like that. It really makes the party a bit more fun.” It also makes party planning easier, since all your foods and decor can be wrapped around this idea.
Themed parties also lure guests to your gathering. “So if they have to wear something specific or do something for the event, it’s more of a unique event for attendees and can attract people to your parties,” Zaretsky says. The day of Have everything prepared so that you too as the host can enjoy the party and aren’t spending all your time in the kitchen. “Prepare a light menu beforehand with something easy that you’ve done before,” Zaretsky suggests. Prep work also means prepping for mid-party replacements: think appetizers on platters that are ready to go, plenty of extra ice stashed in a cooler, and bowls of garnishes for drinks and appetizers that are standing waiting. Self-service End your party with a sweet touch in the form of a sweet or dessert table, popcorn bars or candy stand. Think self-serve so you’re not waiting at the door handing everything out.
“Anything small that’s personalized is really nice and people really love that,” says Zaretsky.