If you love to entertain then the Christmas season means guests and holiday parties. The key to throwing the perfect Christmas gathering is planning - but not too much planning. After all it is a party. If you think about, the process of planning a yuletide function can be summarized in five simple steps. Generally it is a matter of inviting guests with plenty of time, decking the halls with style, including a spectacular Christmas tree, serving seasonal fare, and then having a great time.

Step 1) Send out invitations on time.

There are different schools of thought on invitation etiquette, in regards to how early to invite guests. It is agreed that you can send out invites anywhere from two to ten weeks in advance. It depends on factors such as the size and formality of the occasion. If the family always gathers at your house, you probably don't need to worry as much about invitations. For a grand ball thrown for 200 of your closest friends in a busy social circle, give people more time to make their schedules. Don't underestimate the appeal of cards and novelties for invitations, as Facebook invites tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Step 2) Put up an elaborate network of fairy lights and tinsel.

The best Christmas parties are the ones that look like an enchanted winter wonderland. For some reason, seasonal get togethers often seem to take place in the evening. This may be because it is the perfect hour for viewing breathtaking displays of Christmas lights. There are so many kinds of fairy lights for indoors and outdoors, for example icicle, rope, specialised, battery operated lights, curtain, branch and stake, net, even solar powered. For something truly special we recommend an amazing light display such as an illuminated Santa and his reindeer, iridescent Christmas tree, or a glowing Nativity scene.

Step 3) Obtain and decorate the Christmas tree.

Christmas trees can take many forms, but if there is not some kind of Christmas tree at your party, people will not know where they are supposed to leave the presents. There have been fantastic innovations in artificial Christmas trees that look almost real. You can opt for a traditional evergreen, or wow them with a fibre optic tree, or even one that has been 'snow' frosted. If there is not a lot of space, such as in the office, a table top Christmas tree does well in a pinch. Choose a theme and then decorate your tree accordingly with some of the vast array of tree ornaments that are available.

Step 4) Plan and cook a delicious feast.

As the time of your party grows nigh, there are about a million things for you (or the caterer) to do in the kitchen. Tis the season to eat whatever you like, and this could involve many types of sweet treats, side dishes and appetizers, as well as plenty of beverages. Prepare a traditional Christmastime feast that suits your particular theme. Or you may decide to make it a potluck so that everyone has a chance to bring something yummy to the table. Serve the meal on a selection of Christmasy table and home wares, such as serving trays, Christmas mugs, table runners, ornaments and centre pieces.

Step 5) Cater to your guests and enjoy the party.

The host or hostess has a busy evening ahead of them if everything is to go smoothly. That is not to say that they should not have any fun, many people garner genuine enjoyment from the art of entertaining. Have a loose schedule ready but make allowances for social interaction and free time. No one wants to feel like they are working at the annual Christmas party. There are ways to keep people entertained like snow globes and special toys for the kiddies, incredible shape shifting light displays, holiday music and carolling, bonbons and Christmas crackers, Secret Santas or other gifts, and many more.

 


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