Ah, the classic holiday party. A stomach full of eggnog and peppermint schnapps, an ear full of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, a belly full of honey ham or roast beef, and of course a houseful of guests. We get warm just thinking about it. But if you’re anything like us, you’re always looking for ways to take your holiday party to the next level, the one the neighbors will be talking about until next Christmas. Well, never fear, Concord Foods is here with our 5 tips to a successful holiday party.
1) Do a Yankee Swap
If you’re inviting guests that don’t already know each other, a quick game of Yankee swap is a great way to break the ice. Simply ask all your guests to bring a pre-wrapped gift worth no more than a certain amount ($20 is usually reasonable.) Play the game after a few introductory drinks are served so everyone is at least a little comfortable with each other. Then, see where the night heads from there. For the complete rules of Yankee swap go to http://www.yankeeswap.com/yankee-swap-rules.php for help.
2) Have a DIY Gingerbread house
That’s right. This is something that can be used to entertain the kids, however we’d be shocked if the adults didn’t join in too. Just set up a few large decoration less gingerbread houses on a table. Put some frosting, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and anything else your sweet tooth desires next to them with some plastic knives and see what happens. By the end of the night you’ll have a desert and a show!
3) Set the playlist beforehand
We already mentioned Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, but they’re just two of the holiday music greats. Others include Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey, The Chieftains, and so many more. By making the playlist before the guests get there you’ll ensure there’s never a dull moment at your party. The last thing you want to be doing as the guests walk in the door is scrambling to find an appropriate CD. ♪ Santa Claus is Coming to Towwwn ♪
4) Serve Finger Food
The best way to keep guests moving and meeting new people is to keep them heading back to the food. Don’t do a large dinner that forces your guests to sit next to the same two people for the entire night. Serve small finger food and place the trays at on different tables around your house. This will lead your friends and family to bump into each other (not literally, we hope) and strike up a conversation or two. Need some great suggestions on what to serve? Check out Concord Foods full holiday party meal suggestions here: http://www.concordfoods.com/holidayrecipes
5) Have Fun
This is your party remember. Don’t sweat the small stuff. You’re guests will be just as thankful for inviting them regardless of how the lemon-lime mini tarts turn out—though trust us, they’ll be great if you follow our recipe. The holidays are a time to relax with friends and family not to stress over the minor details at your own party. So follow our suggestions, but the most important one is to enjoy yourself. The holidays only come once a year for a reason!
Do you have any tips to share with us? If so, please comment here.
Happy Holidays everyone!
