Christmas Party Planning

This helpful Christmas party planning guide keeps the chaos of the season under control and helps you, the host or hostess, actually enjoy the party. After all, that's what it's all about!

Planning a Christmas party is half the fun! And, a little planning means you'll enjoy your party just as much as your guests enjoy it.

You don't want to be running around the day of the party trying to pull it all together. If you're like me, and you like to do most of the cooking and decor yourself, a party plan is essential.

It's true that I plan my party well in advance. Last year, I was even lucky enough to have my best friend travel from out of state one week prior to my party to help with the Christmas party decorations, food, Christmas party favors, and the like.

Friends often ask, "How do you do it all yourself, serve everything hot, and pull it all together in just one day?" The secret? I don't! Unless you hire someone else to do it for you, you can't pull off a fabulous party without planning in advance. I enlist friends and start early!

Here's a Christmas party planning guide to help you enjoy your party and pull it together with ease.

Note: If you're planning to book a band, caterer, or venue for your party, start 2 to 3 months in advance.

Christmas Party Planning Guide

4-5 Weeks Before:
• Begin your Christmas party planning by gathering Christmas party ideas,
• Selecting a Christmas party theme will make planning a Christmas party lots of fun!
• Plan Christmas party games. This is really important. Games, like the left right Christmas game and the white elephant gift exchange game are a sure way to get laughs and make memories!
• Go ahead and plan your Christmas party music playlist. A party without music just isn't a party. Mix Christmas traditional Christmas songs with modern music so that the autmosphere remains lively.
• Send out Invitations. It may seem early to send out invitations, but keep in mind how many parties happen during the 3 weeks after Thanksgiving. E-vites are completely acceptable, but a real snail-mail invitation is a great physical reminder. A real invitation also creates a sense of excitement and importance about the event.
• If you'll need wait staff, arrange this now.
• Arrange for a babysitter and pet sitter if needed.
• Pick a fun Christmas movie to play (mutted) on the T.V.

2 Weeks Before (or longer):

• Plan your Christmas party favors. Christmas party favors can be a nice reminder of the party. They don't need to be expensive. If you plan to make Christmas favors, do it now.
• Plan your party menu and gather recipes. If you're doing the cooking, plan a variety of dishes that can be prepared a day in advance, with only a few items that need to be prepared the day of the party. Need to plan for the right amount of food? See the Party Food Planning guide.
• Arrange your cleaning service for the day before the party (or arrange for a friend to help).

1 Week Before (or longer):

• Put up your tree and household decorations such as lights, stockings, wreaths and garland. This is usually a pretty big job and should be done well in advance of the party.


2 Days Before:

• Pick up the wine, party mixers, and party supplies such as extra glasses, dishes, servers, etc.
• Put away excess clutter. Plan the flow of the party. Move furniture to accomodate the flow if needed.
• Plan how you will set out food.

1 Day Before:

• Pick up rental items such as chaffing dishes and punch bowls.
• Make menu items that can be prepared ahead of time.
• Do preparation work for menu items that need to be cooked on the party day.
• Set up party decorations.
• Pick up fresh flowers from florist, or create your own floral arrangements.

Christmas Party Day:

The countdown is on!

• Plan what you're going to wear and set it out so that you're able to stop cooking and get dressed in a fifteen minute time slot.
• Pick up extra ice and set up drink station. Chill drinks that need to be cold.
• Set out dishes, party supplies, light the fire in your fireplace (if you have one), turn on Christmas lights and music.
• Cook items that will be served hot. Plan to have these items ready 30 to 45 minutes before the party begins, and keep them warm in chaffing dishes. Set up the food table. Plan to have everything set up at least 20 minutes before guests arrive.
• Freshen up for the party. Greet guests and enjoy!

Christmas Party Planning Tip: Funny Conversation Starters

What's in the photo? I put PartyTalk printable funny conversation starter cards on all the tables for every party I host. They serve as a great icebreaker. Here they are on my coffee table at my last Christmas party. (There are 120 funny conversation starter cards in all).

There's no need to say a word, guests discover them on their own.

At my last Christmas party, I was in the kitchen when I heard people laughing hysterically in the other room. I made my way over to see what they were laughing about...it was the funny conversation starter cards. Easy. Fun.

I print mine on Avery 8371 business card stock, available online, or at your local Walmart, office or box-store. Because the Avery business card stock is perforated, they easily come part. You can also print them on card stock and cut them apart.

The great thing about a Christmas party printable like this is that you can print off more than one copy...one for every room!



Funny Conversation Starters, "Black & White" Version
$5.99



Return from Christmas Party Planning to Christmas Party Games.