How Does a Holiday Party Differ From Other Parties?

Holiday Parties

A holiday party is a themed party that centers around a particular holiday such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day or Halloween. People prepare for holiday parties by decorating according to the theme of the party. For example, a Christmas party usually features Christmas-themed decorations like mistletoe, Christmas trees, stockings and gingerbread cookies. Music and entertainment during the party also relate to the theme of the party. For example, a Christmas party will feature traditional Christmas songs while a Valentine's Day party will have romantic songs. Sometimes holiday parties even require guests to dress according to the theme. Halloween is the best example of dressing in theme as guests are expected to wear scary costumes. On St. Patrick's Day, most people tend to wear green or decorate their outfits with shamrocks.

Non-Holiday Parties

Non-holiday parties are usually birthday parties, graduation parties, anniversaries or other special occasion parties. These parties usually do not have a specific theme. Music, food and decorations are low-key and often do not correspond to any particular theme. Guests dress in formal or casual attire depending on the specified dress code. The music and entertainment vary throughout the night. Some non-holiday parties also include spur-of-the-moment parties with little to no decorations and a smaller guest list. Most non-holiday parties are thrown simply for the sake of gathering with friends and having a good time.

How They Differ

A holiday party differs from other parties due to its theme. A holiday party will have specifically themed decorations, food and music whereas a regular party will have a more general feel. A holiday party for Thanksgiving includes a very particular menu that must include turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pumpkin pie. These food items are often mandatory for a true Thanksgiving holiday party. A regular party doesn't include such specific menu items, and the food is usually just a general assortment of snacks and appetizers. Holiday parties also tend to have themed music such as Christmas carols whereas regular parties will play a variety of songs. Moreover, holiday parties may have a specific dress code such as dressing in costume, but regular parties often simply include a semi-formal dress code.