How does one have a Christmas Party?

[navidadnm2010]

I have not ever had one before.
I have tried plenty of times, but no one ever seems to come, despite best efforts.
I know that my Menu seems to be a crowd pleaser, but it just doesn't seem to be enough, although I do deck the Halls, from inside to outside at Christmastime.
My home is always a great place to be around the Holidays.
I just cannot figure out what I am doing wrong.

[propmistress]

Christmas Parties are so hard because people are overbooked during the holidays.

I would suggest scheduling you party early in the season so you don't have to compete with work parties or last minute shopping.

Let your guests know early that you want to have a party and informally check your guests availability before choosing a date. Schedule the party for Saturday Night (People don't like going to parties if they worked that day or have to go to work the next day).

Provide them with an actual invition. Also give them reminders, especially a week before the party.

If the majority of your friends have children, finding a babysitter can be hard especially with all the other holiday expenses. And often people want to spend as much time with their family/children during the holiday season so consider making it a family event (For our last party we paid for 2 babysitters, and planned activities for the kids in another part of the house)

We normally overinvite but are selective with our invites (we try to choose people we would like to spend a night with and that we know our other guests would like also)
Beef up your numbers with family members or close friends.

Family members or close friends are invaluable if you need help and even if no one else shows up at least you are surrounded by a couple of people that you love.

Make your party an event with festive decorations and food, which you already do.

Expect the turnout for your first parties to be small. Big parties usually started as small parties. And unless you have a big family, or belong to a sorority... it usually takes a couple of years until the party is big.


I hope this helps.. Good Luck

[Just Whisper]

Those are some great idea Propmistress. My parties were always a drag, except one birthday party I will NEVER forget. I will keep those in mind for next year when i was planning on having a christmas party.

[Sickie Ickie]

I had an invitation arrive in Jan once for that year's Christmas party! LOL

[navidadnm2010]

Maybe in 2010 I will attempt something, but maybe this year is just not the year to do this.

[propmistress]

You can always have a small informal gathering.

But it would probably be too stressful to try to throw a big big party

[Rybcon]

Also avoid serving food that requires people to be sitting at a table to eat. A punch bowl with a good punch is still popular.

[navidadnm2010]

That is why I have a menu of light finger foods.
I don't like heavy foods either.

[kimba]

You could always do a theme - characters from Christmas movies, or you could have people bring something for a local food bank, toys for tots, project angel tree...etc..

[Rybcon]

We're toying with the idea of a formal gathering. Tuxedos and gowns. Or at least suits and dresses.

[propmistress]

You could always do a theme - characters from Christmas movies, or you could have people bring something for a local food bank, toys for tots, project angel tree...etc..

These are such great ideas. I especially like the idea about using your party to do something nice for someone else.

[Elvira]

We're toying with the idea of a formal gathering. Tuxedos and gowns. Or at least suits and dresses.

This is an awesome idea. I'll bring my tiara ;)

[Rybcon]

This is an awesome idea. I'll bring my tiara ;)

All you would need to do is to wear your "regular" dress!!! Wait? You're not THAT Elvira? :)

[Elvira]

LOL and the big hair? That should go over well.

[Rybcon]

LOL and the big hair? That should go over well.

** sigh **

[theedwin]

Three letters: KEG! LOL JK.

I have never had a Christmas party, but I would like to this year. Great ideas everyone!

[digbugsgirl]

We've always had a cookie exchange. Lots of people show up for that. We always have games to play, too, with prizes.

This year we are way too busy (I honestly don't have a single free Friday or Saturday in December!!!) and are just doing a small get-together with a few of us ladies on a Sunday afternoon. We are going to make gingerbread houses! :) I thought about throwing a small cookie exchange on another Sunday, but it's just too much. I need to be able to finish my shopping!

[chris]

Three letters: KEG! LOL JK.

I have never had a Christmas party, but I would like to this year. Great ideas everyone!


Christmas party at Edwins!

[Sickie Ickie]

save the Smirnoff Twists for me. :)

[CraigInPA]

I've done parties from 30 to 100 at Christmas. My secret is to schedule early. I let people know the date of my party 4-6 weeks before the actual event. And, I schedule the party early in December, for a Saturday evening. I concentrate on dessert... cookies, cakes, and pies. For the main course, I stay simple: meatball sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, and hors d'oevres, all of which can be prepared in crock pots or in chafing dishes.

[XmasNow]

This is a question I was burning to ask. They also got great answers here. Thanks Guys.

Xmas Now (http://xmasnow.blogspot.com)

[SantaAllen]

I have an end of the year party that is around Dec 28-30, so that it is between Christmas and New Years. Attendance is pretty good and I don't have to worry about my schedule or others.

[Sickie Ickie]

It also may be fun to have a Christmas costume party. :D

[g-ma.cringle]

hey, meemaw pat! i think you should do the magnetic invitations. they are store bought, but still personalized. good call. have a great christmas part-tay! make some delicious cookies, also.

[snowdust]

I used to go to a Christmas party each year that had an ugly Christmas ornament gift exchange. We all had to wrap and bring the ugliest ornament we could find or make, and then we would put them on a table and draw numbers to see who got to pick and unwrap their ornament first, second, etc. It was fun. You wouldn't believe some of the ornaments that were unwrapped. A prize would be awarded to the ornament deemed ugliest by popular vote. And everyone got to bring home a hideous keepsake as a souvenir.

[Drucella Snow]

Party is scheduled for December 3rd. Our little village does a light parade and we meet alot of neighbors and friend there, then afterwards they come to my house. We have a blast. Just gonna do some wings, meatballs and potato salad. Everyone else seems to bring the sweet stuff.

[Rybcon]

I'm wanting to do a "formal" party with appetizers and drink. It would be nice to have people over dressed up for the holidays.

[Billybones]

We do an Open House first Saturday of December, that way we get to see everybody and can enjoy the season. Finger food, baked treats, spiced cider, coffee and to be responsible BYOB. DD&D

[Just Whisper]

I have always wanted to have a Christmas party at my home. I am always too stressed about getting the house decked and it is never clean enough inside to decorate and have people over all at the same time. LOL. Then it is always my luck...I schedule something and someone else beat me to the date, then no one shows up. It is probably a good thing I don't have enough friends here to actually attempt this. You guys would all come...right? LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Without a doubt I would, JW. :)