By
eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Invitations
- Christmas Decorations
- Christmas Trees
- Candles
- Eating Utensils
- Flowers
- Drinks
- Food
- Nonalcoholic Drinks
- Napkins
- Plates
- Christmas Music CDs
Step1
Plan your party. Decide whether you want a big bash with a bartender, catered food and a DJ, or if you'd rather have a more casual evening with friends--or something in between. Consult several party books and decide on a budget before making up your mind.
Step2
Get your party on the calendar. It's often best to schedule a Christmas party several weeks before Christmas--before calendars are filled with other activities, shopping and baking.
Step3
Make a guest list. Ask as many people as you can accommodate to a sit-down dinner, or as many people as your house will hold for a cordial get-together with finger foods and drinks.
Step4
Decide on a menu. If you are having the meal catered, consult with the caterer and choose a menu, or plan your own.
Step5
Send invitations. Invitations should go out as early in December as possible so that your guests can schedule the party and RSVP. Be sure to include times, let guests know if a meal will be served, and mention appropriate dress.
Step6
Decorate. Your decor should include the traditional Christmas tree, plus lots of candles, centerpieces (if appropriate) and other holiday decorations.
Step7
Buy the food, beverages, paper goods and flowers you will need for the party.
Step8
Make hors d'oeuvres, arrange the flowers, cook the food and chill the wine as appropriate, and set the tables or arrange the serving table.
Step9
Just before guests arrive, light the candles, turn on some soft Christmas music, set out the hors d'oeuvres, and bring out the punch or open the bar.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 9/10/2006 I made Christmas crackers from paper towel tubes and dollar store wrapping paper and filled them with chocolates for my guests as they left. I had all the old Christmas classics playing on my home intercom system, so the whole house was filled with the season's finest! The CD player was on random and repeat so I never had to play DJ. I burned my own CDs from music borrowed from the library in September and October, since November and December is filled with people looking for that music! I shopped for my holiday items as soon as it was available at the store! I had my pick of the litter and all my cocktails were already mixed in pitchers chilling in the fridge. I had games and prizes for the winners(boxes of chocolates in retro patterns)! Everyone still says how much fun it was!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I always serve simple items and make them look impressive. Keep the buffet simple; cheese, crackers, olives, antipasta, but get large quantities. A large wheel of Brie is more impressive than three small pieces of various cheeses. A huge bowl of olives is more impressive than a little dish.
I also get creative with platters and servers. Put a large quantity of pistachio nuts in a big red basket! Use a mirror as a serving tray for Italian meats and cheeses. Or use an antique wooden box, lined with a cloth napkin, for breads and crackers.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 first things first do you know how to install a carbon fiber fork? if not don't try to install one by yourself. Go to a bike store and ask them their oppinion to see if you need one or if you just want one. Because in some cases it is not a neccesity and you would be just wasting money. Also if you aren't a trained professional don't install it yourself because they can be difficult to fit then you might have to cut it and the list goes on. Finally once you have completed these steps see if you have a choise in selection of the carbon forks they have or if you want you can buy it online and have them install it. These are some steps of what to look for when buying one.
1. hold it in your hand and feel around for any bumb,lumps,spaces or cracks a good quality one has none of these.
2. flick it with your finger a few time to see if it feels like your hitting steel and it should make a hollow sound as well as it shouldn't be steel and when it is in your hands it should feel like plastic.
3. another thing is good carbon fiber forks aren't cheap if your looking to upgrade you are probabaly looking to spend anywhere from 120-250 or you could even spend up to 1000 dollor on a fork
4. remember if it doesn't feel like carbon fiber than it isn't(this goes along with all carbon fiber parts and accessories.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Indicate on the invitations that your guests bring a wrapped present (include price value) to exchange at the party. Take all the gifts and play "Dirty Santa" whereby each guest pulls a number which corresponds with a number on each gift and gets to open that gift. The fun comes when that person has the option to either keep his/her gift or "steal" another person's gift. Continue playing until everyone has a turn to open a gift. This game is a huge hit, as it promotes excitement, fun, and extreme laughter! Plus, everyone goes home with a gift and a great time is had by all!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Follow the tips on http://www.flylady.net to plan for your Christmas party.