Holiday parties are a unique time to gather all the most important people in your life, whether it’s for Christmas, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah, or another holiday you celebrate. For some, parties themselves are a significant aspect of the holiday season to look forward to — that goes for hosts and guests alike.
Do you want to host a holiday party this season? How can you start planning to make it happen? And what is the role of home décor items in the festivities?
Hosting an unforgettable party is more complex than it can seem as a guest. So keep reading as we answer all of these questions, and more so you’re ready to throw the perfect holiday party.
Start by Considering the Party’s Mood
Before you start excitedly browsing Christmas home décor, what is the overall mood and atmosphere you’re trying to create?
It’s important to begin with this baseline question as it informs all of your other decisions. For most, holiday parties aim to be fun, celebratory events. But are you trying to host a classy, black-tie dinner? Or do you want people to let loose?
Additionally, some holiday events may be work-related, which often means a different tone than usual.
Pick an Overarching Theme and Colour Scheme
Now you’re ready to start getting specific and considering different themes and related colour schemes. There are plenty of possible themes to consider based on the holiday you’re celebrating. Additionally, you can explore ideas for non-holiday-specific themes, like “winter wonderland.”
The next step is to decide on your colour scheme. We advise picking one or two central colours and then finding decorations that prominently contain them or are neutral colours.
You can find home essentials in a range of styles and colours to start cultivating the right atmosphere for your guests. Hosting a party is a fun way to explore different décor options that you can then integrate into your seasonal décor afterwards.
Choose the Right Activities
Not every party needs activities, but it’s well worth considering. If you’ll be hosting people who may not already know each other, activities can help break the ice and form new friendships.
Additionally, activities often give you new ways to incorporate more décor into the party to enhance the overall experience. Some activities to consider include the following:
- Gift exchange: Consider doing a white elephant or other method of gift exchange for your party — it’s the season of giving, after all. However, be sure to include a gift exchange on the invites. You don’t want someone feeling unprepared and having a bad time cause they know to bring a gift.
- Gingerbread house decorating: This classic yet messy Christmas activity can be a major focus of the party. It can take up a lot of time while still being fun for everyone. You may need to buy larger holiday table placements for this activity, but an easily washable tablecloth can also do the trick.
- A feast: We talked about meals, drinks, or snacks earlier, but you can instead opt for a festive feast. This option might be more expensive than other routes, especially if you won’t be doing the cooking, but it can create a lifelong memory. Bring out several courses, decorate a large dining room table, and make it an hours-long dinner.
Regardless of the activity you choose, you’ll need to buy the right supplies and make sure your guests are prepared. A well-executed holiday activity can go far in making a memorable holiday party.
Send Out Themed Invites
Invitations are necessary, and these days they’re often a mass text, Facebook group, or basic email. Those options are easy and effective, but you should still explore ways to set the tone for your party with them. For instance, a Facebook group can have pics of your décor or an example of the décor you’ll have.
Of course, you can take it a step further and send out classic snail mail invites. Going this route is rare and will already make your occasion stand out among other party invites your guests may be getting.
It will take more time and money, but it also gives you a powerful way to set the tone for the party well ahead of time.
Find the Right Seasonal Home Décor for the Occasion
You might already have some seasonal décor for your everyday enjoyment, but throwing a party usually requires buying new decorations to create the right look and feel for the occasion.
What exactly do you need? It all depends on the mood you’re trying to create and your chosen activities. For example, festive chair pads are a relatively small change but go a long way in curating the right mood for the dining table.
You’ll likely need other décor to create the right atmosphere. Look at the seasonal décor you already have and build on top of it. For instance, garland, silk ribbons, and tinsel can go far in enhancing the holiday feeling of your home.
Don’t neglect your porch — accent mats can go far in setting the tone for the rest of your décor and the party itself. And, of course, don’t forget the wreath.
Shop Maison Concepts Holiday Décor for Your Next Party
The holiday season is the perfect time to throw an unforgettable party. However, you’ll need to start planning early, buy the right décor, and send out invitations well in advance. Fortunately, throwing a perfect holiday party is well within reach, and you don’t need to break the bank to do it.
Maison Concepts offers a variety of holiday décor for any type of occasion, from a business casual work event to a black-tie dinner party. Is it time to start preparing for your perfect holiday party? Shop our Seasonal décor section today for amazing deals.