How To Plan A Killer Holiday Event

The holidays are a great time to throw a party. Parties can also contribute to your holiday stress-but they don't have to. With a little planning and creativity, you can throw a party that's fun and relaxing both for you and for your guests. If you're planning a big holiday bash this year, here are a few tips to make your party more memorable.

Pick a theme. It's often tough to negotiate the political-correctness minefield when planning a holiday event. If you're planning an office party, you should veer toward inclusiveness. But if you're holding a party in your own home, a little more leeway is permissible. No matter what holiday tradition you celebrate, don't be afraid to use it as a theme-even if your friends don't share the same traditions. Most people love to experience new and different traditions, and your friends will welcome the opportunity to learn more about you. With whatever theme you choose, however, make sure you keep religious references subtle to avoid making guests of different religions uncomfortable.

Plan games for the kids. If your guests have children, it's likely they'll want to bring them. Holiday parties are much more fun and relaxing for adults if the kids are having fun and occupied-so make sure to make your party fun for them, too. Set up a scavenger hunt, delegate an older child to lead a game of hide-and-seek, or set up a Christmas Crafts activity table-the possibilities are endless. At the very least, rent some holiday-related videos and set the kids up in the rec room with some popcorn and hot chocolate.

The right lighting. Bright lights kill a party. Soft, sophisticated mood lighting is definitely better for a party atmosphere. For holiday lighting, have a soft, homey general light, augmented by sparkle from a chandelier, Christmas tree lights, table crystal, or candles.

Creative decorations. Decorations don't have to be complicated to make an impression-and fun, creative decorating can really set a lively mood for your party. Miniature Christmas trees (use a rosemary tree and small, dollar-store decorations); colorful dreidel-shaped paper lanterns; or creative favors relevant to your theme all make a fun and stylish impression.

Always have enough food. Your party may be formal or casual-but you'll need the same amount of food for each. Make sure there are plenty of snacks at hand, so people can munch before the dinner course is served. For a formal party, creative appetizers are always popular-for a less formal one, there's nothing wrong with chips and dip. If there are kids at the party, be sure to have food kids like on hand-plenty of popcorn, pasta, or hot dogs for picky eaters, plus sodas or hot chocolate.

Consider catering. Food is often one of the most stressful parts of planning a party. Hiring a caterer is often worth the price-you'll be free to enjoy the party without worrying about cooking, and with a professional cook, you'll know people will love the food.

The holidays are a great time to throw a big bash-and there's no better holiday gift than a warm house full of family and friends. But even a big party doesn't have to be a stressful affair. Follow these simple tips this year, and you can be sure your party will be fun, relaxing, and memorable.