5 Holiday Party Essentials

5 Holiday Party Essentials

By: Julianna French

The holidays are all about embracing the spirit of celebrating, whether you are decorating with your family or hosting a merry bash for all your closest friends and loved ones. But, don’t let your celebrations fall short--here are five simple ways to elevate your next holiday celebration. Whether you are hosting a party for two or 20, these ideas can turn your ordinary setting completely magical. 

Christmas Cocktail: A themed cocktail is key to setting the tone of a party. Whether it is your grandmother’s classic eggnog recipe, a steaming cup of hot chocolate, or that fancy drink you found on Pinterest, put it in your best, most festive glasses (and dare I call it--a cup of cheer!?)

Here are some holiday favorites found on Home Musings to get you started.

The Ultimate Christmas Playlist: A good Christmas playlist is necessary for spreading cheer during the holidays. Don’t even worry about making your own! We put together some of our favorite songs that we deem essential for every holiday occasion.

Christmas Charcuterie: Everyone loves a charcuterie--and I mean everyone. Show off your skills by transforming your classic spread into the shape of a Christmas tree, or ditch the meats and cheeses altogether and opt for Christmas candies and cookies instead. Don’t forget a side of holly and jolly!

Gift Exchange: A gift exchange can be a fun way to engage your guests, and you get something out of it, too. Set up a game of dirty Santa, have guests draw names before arriving, or bag up party favors as a fun way to end the night.

Decking the Halls: Decorate your house to the nines, pulling out the stops for Christmas decor. Decide on a theme inspired by reds and greens, or go for glitter with silver and gold. Ditch the colors altogether and create a homey feel with all of the holiday-inspired items you’ve collected throughout the years. Spice up your table with a place setting to match the theme, and add a place card for each guest to create a more upscale feel.

BONUS: Pass around a polaroid or a disposable camera and get that classic holiday feel with some festive photos to share (or keep!) later on. 

Happy Holidays! Thanks for joining us for 12 Days of Square. Check back for more holiday tips and tricks on www.umsquaremagazine.com.