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| Photo: Westbay Management |
There are plenty of things to look forward to during the
holidays—beautiful music, decorating your house both inside and out, and just
being with your nearest and dearest, whether it’s at an informal get-together
or a black-tie holiday gala.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, you want to keep both
your guests and your property safe. Below are a few tips to host a fun, safe
gathering.
Make it
family-friendly. It’s not easy for
everyone to get a sitter. Alleviate some of the pressure on your guests by
inviting the kids along, too. Have
activities for the little ones, like a holiday-themed craft, movie marathon,
and some games. Designate one or two responsible teenagers to oversee the
activities so both the kids and adults can enjoy the night.
Suggest a potluck.
If you’re on a budget, a potluck meal is your best option. If you’re having a
traditional dinner, as host you’d be responsible for the main course and your
guests can bring the side dishes. Or if you’re laying out a buffet, make one or
two dishes and ask your guests to bring the other items (including paper goods).
Choose a theme. Theme
parties can make planning much easier because the food, décor, and dress code
are all tied together. Ugly Christmas sweater parties have been
the big trend around the holidays for the past few years, but other trends are
starting to catch on. One is a “vintage” Christmas party, where guests bring
dishes right out of their mother’s or grandmother’s cookbooks from the 1960’s
or 1970’s (and don’t forget to dress accordingly!) Another trend is a crafting
party (or “Santa’s Workshop party”, if you will), where you and your guests
create and decorate wreaths, ornaments, and package toppers (if not the
packages themselves) for yourself and everyone on your list.
Serve both alcoholic
and non-alcoholic beverages. Not every guest will want to imbibe, so take that
into consideration when planning your drink menu. Have a variety of food and beverage
options so none of your guests feel uncomfortable or pressured to drink.
Be a responsible
host. Hosting an event is a lot of
work. It falls on you to keep all food,
drinks, and supplies stocked, guests mingling, and the night flowing smoothly. It’s
not always easy, but your most important job by far is keeping your guests
safe. If it looks as though some of your guests have had a little too much,
offer to drive them home, call one of their friends or family members to give
them a ride, or ask another guest to take them home.
The holidays are definitely a time to celebrate, but if you’re
planning to host a party this year, help your guests celebrate responsibly.
Are there any other
tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
