How to Host a Stress-Free Holiday Party

December is here! And holiday parties are around the corner. If you’re hosting a holiday party, you may be feeling stressed already, just thinking of everything you need to do. Browse our tips for navigating as stress-free a holiday party as possible, so you can have a wonderful time with family and friends this Christmas season.

1. Plan Ahead

A lot of stress comes from last-minute items on your to-do list. If you know you’re having a party, you can plan ahead by making a list of everything you need to do, from the invitations to the decorations to the food. Order them and make arrangements for them to be delivered ahead of time. If you are going to DIY several parts of your party, you might want to get a head start.

2. Keep Your Guest List Manageable

Too many guests can be overwhelming. Think of all the food you have to prepare, the venue that must be big enough to accommodate all the people and the other parts of the party that have to cater to your guests’ different tastes. It can be a nightmare to plan all that, but if you keep your guest list small, you have less to think and worry about.

3. Choose Simple Food That You Can Prepare Ahead of Time

Of course, you want a fantastic holiday table to impress your guests. But if you are inviting a lot of people or have a lot of things to do, preparing food for everyone can be a tiring task. Instead, go for simple yet delicious finger foods that you can prepare ahead of time. Or order in from caterers. Or have a potluck and invite everyone to bring a dish to share.

4. Decorate with Items You Already Have

If you’ve got holiday decor stored in your house and they look fine, use them instead of ordering new ones, so you don’t have to spend on additional items. Even if you’ve used this decor before, you can always find new and creative ways to decorate your house with them.

5. Set the Mood for the Party with Music and Lights

Music and lights help set the mood for any party. Whether you’re going for a fun, festive feel or a more relaxed and calming atmosphere, you can establish the mood by adding or dimming lights and playing the appropriate songs.

6. Be Flexible

While you want things to happen smoothly and just the way you plan them, they rarely do. There are always some things you can’t control, like traffic and the holiday rush, mixed-up orders, and other stressful situations. When they do happen, it can be easy to get stressed about it, but remember that what matters is being there together with your family and friends.

Keep up the Holiday Spirit

You may be busy with all the holiday party preparations but don’t forget to enjoy the party also. Your guests appreciate your presence more than all the preparations you could make. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the time with your loved ones. After all, holiday parties are all about spending time with one another and having fun together.