Yes, it’s that time of year again. Christmas is coming and we all start to think of the Christmas party. But hosting a Christmas party is not just a case of getting everyone together and serving food and drink, unfortunately. The host is responsible for making sure that the guests are all having a great time which can sometimes mean the host puts so much emphasis on this during the party that they do not have a good time too. This doesn’t have to be the case. Below are some great tips to make sure you are so prepared before the Christmas party even begins, you can also enjoy yourself alongside your guests. Remember that in this current climate it’s fine to also host virtual Christmas parties too, and they can be great fun as well.
Food
Food is an important part of a good party. But it’s surprising how many people forget that everyone will have different tastes and preferences when it comes to the things they will eat. The easiest thing to do here is to simply cater for everyone. Make sure you serve dishes that will suit meat eaters, fish eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Also consider people with allergies and label plates of food if they contain shellfish or nuts, for example. It might be easier to ask guests beforehand if they avoid certain foods, just so you have a rough idea of how many special dishes you need to prepare. Spending a bit of time focusing on the food before the party will save you a lot of stress on the night.
Music
Music. What a nightmare when hosting a party. You will have youngsters that are into R&B, funk, queer and alternative. Alongside that, you’ll have great Aunt Maud who will only bop along to Chuck Berry. The only way to combat such a diverse set of party guests is to cater for them all. If you are sorting the music yourself, preload music beforehand onto your chosen device or platform that comes from all eras, dating back to the 1940s and including the most recent no.1’s. This way, everyone will be listening to tunes that they enjoy and will want to get up and strut their stuff.
Party Games
No party is complete without party games. Let’ be honest, party games do have a habit of making a party feel like a party. But don’t despair. Just do a bit of research beforehand and in between the music (that you’ve nailed to suit all guests), you can introduce a game that means fun for all. There are some simple rules regarding party games to make them suitable for all your guests. Don’t include alcohol, don’t include food and don’t make them too active, so the older guests can take part too. Easy, right?
Honestly, hosting a Christmas party that can include everyone isn’t that difficult. Don’t get overwhelmed. Spend some prep time beforehand and that means you get to enjoy the party as much as your guests do.