How to Plan a Holiday Open House
One of the most enjoyable holiday gatherings is the drop-in-whenyou-
want party--ideal for busy guests as well as party hosts. Open
houses often come with lower expectations (guests don't expect a
gourmet meal and can leave without fuss) and a casual, festive mood.
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Instructions
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Set a date that is as far out from Christmas and Hanukkah as possible before calendars book up. Set an ending time as well, or folks may drop by expecting the party to be in full swing while you're in the middle of cleanup.
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Set the mood and level of formality. Will you hire a bartender and servers and offer a catered menu of gourmet goodies? Or do you prefer a casual, self-serve buffet with 6-foot heros and a cooler full of drinks? Keep size in mind--do you want a small gathering of friends or a hey-stop-by-for-a-drink affair for the masses? See 342 Throw a Party.
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Create the menu. Time is valuable, especially at this time of year, so consider hiring someone to help with the food. See 315 Plan Party Foods Ahead.
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Be aware of your guests when you plan entertainment. A nonsecular holiday open house makes guests from many different backgrounds comfortable. If you celebrate Christmas, it's fine to have a tree and decorations. Save caroling and other traditional Christmas rituals for a caroling party, when guests expect it-- or risk offending people of different faiths.
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Set up a corner (away from ornaments and decorations) with toys and trains for young children to play with. Their parents will be grateful that their kids are happily occupied--then they get to have fun, too.
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Tips & Warnings
Invite kids from the highschool jazz band to play some holiday tunes.
See 354 Organize a Holiday Craft Party and 331 Hire a Caterer.
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Comments
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OhioMom
Dec 17, 2008
I would love to have an open house for all the reasons that are stated above. We recently moved from New York State of Ohio and have met many lovely people -- my husband's co-workers, our neighbors, people I have met in town. I just don't know what time of day to have the party. I know we don't want to have it at dinner time but I would love to have it overflow into evening. I know that many of the people have children and probably would not want to have it at night. Any suggestions? I know that we are going to have it after Christmas (obviously) but our tree will be up and if people want to sing carols it would be fine with me. I certainly wouldn't deny carolers. But that is one person's opinion. Any suggestions as to time of day would be appreciated. -
OhioMom
Dec 17, 2008
I would love to have an open house for all the reasons that are stated above. We recently moved from New York State of Ohio and have met many lovely people -- my husband's co-workers, our neighbors, people I have met in town. I just don't know what time of day to have the party. I know we don't want to have it at dinner time but I would love to have it overflow into evening. I know that many of the people have children and probably would not want to have it at night. Any suggestions? I know that we are going to have it after Christmas (obviously) but our tree will be up and if people want to sing carols it would be fine with me. I certainly wouldn't deny carolers. But that is one person's opinion. Any suggestions as to time of day would be appreciated.
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cheryl2
Dec 10, 2007
What a ridiculous idea that I would host a party in my own home, but be afraid of "offending people of different faiths" by caroling. I'm glad the author of this article gave me permission to have a Christmas tree. If I went to someone's home who was of a different faith, I certainly would not be offended to see signs of Hannukuh, Kwanza, or whatever. Nor whould they have to worry about offending me. Are we really so politically correct that we are worried about what we do in our homes now?
