Christmas Party 101: Getting Organised*

With December almost upon us and the festive season nearly underway, it’s high time to get planning for Christmas – if you haven’t already! With so much to do and a seemingly never-ending checklist of gifts to buy and things to organise, it’s more important than ever to ensure that you have everything under control ready for when the big day comes.

However, if you’re planning on hosting a party over the festive season, this adds a whole new host of responsibilities and tasks onto your to-do list. Whether it’s a kid’s party, a family gathering or a get-together with friends, there will still be plenty which needs to be done in order to guarantee a successful event.

To help you out and ensure that nothing important gets missed, here are some top tips to make sure that you get everything organised and ready for an unforgettable festive party!

Guests
First things first, who do you want to invite? Even if it’s just a smaller, low-key party, you need to be sure to invite people in plenty of time – being prepared as early as possible is the key! Let them know the date and time, as well as any special festive themes you might be including – Christmas fancy dress is a great idea for any little ones who will be attending!

Theme
Similarly, it’s important to get your theme ironed out and ready for the party. Fancy dress and costumes, decorations, music, food – the list is long and the options for customisation are endless. Picking a specific theme can also be a great way to start thinking about creative ideas for party games, too. After all, who doesn’t love a traditional party game at this time of year?

Photography
Of course, it goes without saying that you will want to document your party and keep a record of the night for many years to come. While traditional photos and camera phone snapshots are good for spontaneous photos, they can often leave a rather blurred or skewed view of the party. Instead, why not try something a little different and choose a photo booth? With plenty of opportunities for photo booth hire, this will make the ideal way to document your party and have plenty of fun on the night itself!

Food
Whether you’re after a traditional buffet-style banquet or a winter warmer meal, one thing’s for sure – guests love party food! Jazz up your usual fare with some festive additions like mince pies, Christmas cake or pigs in blankets. Alternatively, if it’s a cold night, go for some warming homemade soup or delicious chilli with jacket potatoes and fresh rolls, perfect for a chilly winter evening!

Decorations
Your home will most likely be decorated and ready for the festive season already, with a Christmas tree, tinsel and a wreath on the front door. However, you should take the opportunity to go all out and splash out on the decorations ready for your party! Dig the decorations out of their boxes in the attic and spend some quality family time getting the kids involved in the decorating process. Let their imaginations run wild in order to guarantee the most festive looking home you’ve ever seen!

Music
“Jingle bells, jingle bells…”

Whether it’s traditional carols or the familiar old favourite pop tunes, Christmas songs are as much a part of Christmas as the tree and the gifts. Stick on a CD of the most popular songs or alternatively, get personal and create your very own festive playlist to keep everyone dancing all night long!

Of course, your event will be influenced by your own personal preferences and the attendees above all else, but a special touch is sure to guarantee a party to remember this festive season.