Entertaining for the Holidays

18 Nov Entertaining for the Holidays

If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that nobody wants to be alone– especially during the holidays. This time of year is all about spending quality time with close friends and family. It’s the most festive time of year, and what better way to celebrate than hosting your own party?  

We know what you’re thinking… “That sounds like a lot of work!” 

And you’re right, it can be, if you don’t follow these simple guidelines:

1. Plan Early

The holiday season is one of the most busy and stressful times of the year. Everyone feels under pressure to get the right gift, dance recitals and school performances are in the mix, and the streets and stores are packed with frantic shoppers. You can avoid this frantic frenzy if you plan ahead.

Set a date for a party at least six weeks in advance if planning on a large gathering. If you expect fewer guests, a couple week’s notice should be sufficient. Just get the date on that calendar so your guests don’t make other commitments elsewhere. 

2. Keep it Simple

Planning for decorations, entertainment, and food can get really overwhelming if you don’t keep things simple. 

• It’s not necessary to spend a fortune on invitations. In fact, many people prefer a digital invite so they won’t lose it. Apps like Punchbowl and Canva can help you design simple, and attractive invites to send via email or text to your guests. In addition, sites like RSVPify, EventBrite, or Facebook Events can help your guests replay, and help you plan accordingly. 

• Use decor that you already have on hand, rent it, or borrow some items from a friend or family member.  Keep the color scheme simple, using about two colors, and coordinating everything else. Look at Pinterest for some great, inexpensive decor ideas. There are many festive decorations you can make or even buy from a dollar store to save you on your budget.

• Entertainment can be simple, too. You don’t need to hire a deejay, or buy a bunch of new games to play. Instead, find a pre-made playlist from your favorite audio streaming program like Pandora, Spotify, or Amazon Music. Pinterest is full of games for large groups, too— most of them don’t even require you to purchase anything. 

• Food can often be the biggest worry of hosting a party. And rightly, so. Who wants to attend a party with nasty food? (Or worse— NO food!?) Stick with traditional, simple foods that everyone loves like veggie and fruit trays, cheese and cracker platters, finger foods, and deli meats. And don’t forget about dessert! Nothing is simpler and tastier than our FatBoy Ice Cream Novelties. They’re a classic treat nobody can resist. Our seasonal flavors of Egg Nog & Peppermint Ice Cream are the perfect addition to any holiday gathering. 

3. Stick to a Budget

This time of year is already expensive, and you don’t want to break the bank from hosting a party. Prioritize what’s most important at your party: Is it the food? The entertainment? The decorations? The venue? Prioritizing helps ensure your money goes towards what you feel was the most important element. One you’ve prioritized, make a budget and stick to it. The best way to make sure you stick to a budget is to track all of your expenses. Apps like EveryDollar make this a breeze.

4. Be a Good Host

A good host doesn’t just plan the party well, they ARE the party. Greet your guests as they arrive and help them feel comfortable with the other guests. 

Make sure you’re not stressing about every detail. If you’re feeling uptight, your guests will notice. Nothing turns a party sour quicker than an upset host. 

Get involved yourself by playing games with your guests, engaging in good conversation, and laughing. Nothing will go perfectly— it never does. But lowering your expectations and having a positive attitude will help your guests feel more at ease, and help the party to be more fun. It is a party after all. 

Get festive and make the most of it with your friends and family by entertaining for the holidays. Make your party simple, fun, and tasty with FatBoy Ice Cream and you’ll go down in history like ol’ Rudolph himself!