As we stride closer to the end of the year, the holiday spirits are becoming more focused. It’s no doubt that most people look forward to finally celebrating in the holiday season after a series of stressful events throughout the year. Sure, hosting a holiday party is pretty stressful to do, especially because we’re still in the middle of the pandemic.
We understand there’s an overwhelming pressure of taking on the responsibility of hosting a special celebration and ensuring that your guests are having such a great time. Lucky you, we’ve got the tips for you. In this article, we’re going to show you ideas and steps you can do to host a classy holiday party this year. Read on and get your notes ready!
Tips for Before the Party
Before we proceed to the main guide, we’ve come up with short list of tips you’d want to go by to take your holiday celebration to the next level.
1. Keep your guest circle limited
It’s kind of harsh to do this, especially if you’re a social butterfly, but put it this way: COVID-19 is still around; having a party with a small number of participants will likely reduce the possibility of contracting the disease. Choose who you include in the guest list, and avoid inviting the whole block. Additionally, for the safety of everyone, encourage your guests to just stay at home if they’re sick.
2. Send out invitations with a twist
Get creative with your invitations, regardless if you’re sending them the traditional way or through social media. We recommend sending out invitations through online platforms to limit direct contact. You can use different photo-editing applications to come up with a unique invitation photo based on your party theme. Remember to send your invitations weeks prior to the gathering to give your guests enough time to RSVP.
3. Set the party outdoors
We recommend that you organize the holiday gathering outdoors where the area is well-ventilated to make a safe environment for your attendees. Alternatively, you can manage and prepare your place with the necessary precautions.
4. Practice safety protocols
While we’re used to hugging or doing handshakes with other people as a way of greeting, welcome your guests with a simple wave or verbal acknowledgment. Make sure that you and your attendees are always sanitizing. It would also be better if you regularly disinfect high-traffic items like doorknobs and countertops.
5. Have a good time
Last but not least, enjoy your party. Initial preparations are slightly stressful, but trust us, it will be worth it once you pull it off. In the next section, we present you with some helpful ideas you can use for your party.
How You Can Host a Classy Party
1. Start with Cocktails
Of course, the party isn’t complete without a good set of cocktail drinks and maybe even some champagne to help you and your guests unwind. Step up your cocktail game and dodge the traditional holiday alcoholic beverages. It’s time to get a taste of cocktail drinks that radiate classy vibes. Here are some of the best out-of-the-ordinary cocktails you’d want to try:
Brandy Old-Fashioned
Replace the conventional whiskey-based drink with brandy as the main sweetener, and we promise this tastes so much better! All you need to have are ice cubes, your preferred brandy, Maraschino cherry juice, Maraschino cherry (for garnish), orange juice, orange slice (for garnish), lemon-lime soda, dashes of bitters, and a cube of sugar.
Cranberry Bourbon Negroni
Make a twist on this concoction that’s traditionally enjoyed with gin as its base. Spice things up using cranberry soda, Campari, bourbon, sweet vermouth, sugar, and ice cubes to formulate what could be the best cocktail of the party.
Upgraded Eggnog
Who wouldn’t want to try an elevated version of the traditional eggnog? If you and your friends are eggnog lovers, you surely wouldn’t want your holiday party to miss this out. You just need an egg, heavy cream, maple syrup, Paul Beau VS Cognac, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, and grated nutmeg for garnish.
2. Create a Bar
Aside from the cocktail concoctions, you’ll be serving and the usual wine and beer on the shelf, it might be great to learn what your guests prefer to drink. Your bar should also include glassware, corkscrew, ice buckets, and other necessary items to help your visitors. Find a good spot in the venue where your attendees can freshen up their drinks or go for a refill as the party goes on.
3. Have a Kid Zone
This idea is perfect for family parties or social gatherings where a few guests bring their kids. Keeping children busy and entertained is one of the ways to relieve your guests and impress them further. Designate a spot in your place where kids will hang out and play together. You can add board and card games to add up to their fun. You can also put an art station in the kid zone to keep them busy for quite some time.
4. Final Touches
Make your party stand out and come up with a unique theme! There’s a wide variety of party themes you can choose from and apply to your own; you can even invent a unique one. Whether you’re settling on a color scheme or a holiday theme, ensure that you’re going to stick with it to make things aesthetically pleasing. You just have to choose a theme and focus on it; things will be coherent as you go and prepare.
5. COVID-19 Editions
The joy of being at a party hits different when you’re the one who’s hosting it. Ensure that everyone is having a great time while securing their safety by following safety protocols accordingly. You can assign a sanitation station at the entrance of the venue. Emphasize the need to put on a face mask and disinfect the hands with sanitizers. You can also go the extra mile by providing standing heaters for your attendees in an outdoor party area.
Final Thoughts
As we said, we’re still in the middle of the pandemic; however, people are really looking forward to getting to the holiday season and celebrate as a way of putting the year’s struggles behind. There’s nothing wrong with hosting a party this year, but you need to step up your game and ensure that everyone remains safe as they enjoy their time.
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