10 Tips for Hosting a Holiday Party Like a Pro

So you want to throw a holiday party, but you’re not sure where to start? We’ve tapped some of Hollywood’s most seasoned experts for their advice on everything from setting the mood to removing blemishes

The holidays are around the corner and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate – but whether you’re throwing an intimate event with a few friends or throwing open the doors for a blowout, party planning can often make even the most laid-back person break a sweat.

The good news is that with a little planning, it’s easier than you think to put together a holiday party that will wow you. We spoke with celebrity party planners and a few real-life hosts to bring you this guide to throwing a holiday party like a pro.

Deliver food, cook or both!

When it comes to cooking versus catering, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton takes a hybrid approach: “I usually make some things and bring some,” she says.

For a balanced menu, Chef Kai Chase, a personal chef who has cooked for President Barack Obama and Kevin Hart, likes to serve classic crowd-pleasing dishes alongside some more adventurous or unexpected options. “This can look like traditional dishes like honey-roasted ham and mashed potatoes with non-traditional sides or appetizers, like a festive hummus board, a bite of salmon and avocado tartare, or goat’s cheese au gratin,” she says.

Chase with the Hart family on Thanksgiving. courtesy of Kai Chase

Chase strives to ensure that the menu reflects a good balance of sweet, savory and spicy so that guests feel as though they have experienced a variety of complementary flavors throughout the meal.

And you don’t always have to be fancy! Hilton says, “Besides my usual favorites like turkey and ham, one of my favorite tricks is to bring Popeyes chicken and biscuits and put them in my antique silver serving pieces.”

Get the perfect portions

Are you stressed about how much food to serve? Follow Chase’s guidelines:

• Appetizers or starters: 4-6 bites per guest if dinner and dessert will be served afterwards
• Sit-down dinner: 2 protein dishes, 2-3 cereal dishes and 2-3 vegetable dishes.
• Dessert: 1-2 options and coffee or tea to finish.

If he’s only serving finger food or appetizers, Chase says, he’ll make a variety of hot and cold apps and plans for about “five to ten pieces per person, per hour.”

And placing appetizers is just as important as quantity when it comes to making sure everyone gets enough food, says Chase: “I like to have cold items like cheese and crackers, bruschetta, chips and dip next to drinks where guests can snack and drink when they arrive.”

Chase’s Thanksgiving Appetizer Sampler. Courtesy of Kai Chase

If you’re serving a buffet dinner, Chase suggests aiming for 10 to 15% more food than usual so guests can sample everything and go back for seconds. And since consideration is the mark of a good host, plan to include options for all your guests, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. “This lets your guests know you’re thinking of them,” she says.

Get invitations right

“Whoever you invite, look at them as a whole and see if the group is a great match,” says Mindy Weiss, a top Hollywood event planner who counts the Kardashians and Biebers as clients. “It’s nice if you have the ability to create chemistry in the room.”

To that point, “fear not not invite everyone,” says Michael Cerbelli, CEO/President of Cerbelli Creative, which has created events for Sir Paul McCartney and Robert DeNiro. “Keep the list tight and set a limit based on your environment. No one wants to be in a cluttered house or waiting to use the toilet!”

Entertainment by Michael Cerbelli. courtesy of Cerbelli Creative

“This year, I’m primarily making digital holiday invitations,” says Weiss. “It’s a quick way to invite people from your list and even invite guests at the last minute if you need to. And digitization is better for the environment!”

Use a platform like Paperless Post to see who opened the invitation, ensure quick responses, and push when needed. And don’t forget to clearly mark if the plus one is invited, as well as ask for information about dietary restrictions, to help you plan your party preparations.

Think Drinks

“It’s not mandatory to serve a signature drink at the party, but it’s encouraged,” says Chase. Her choice is a holiday sangria full of fruit, cinnamon sticks and topped with good brandy.

You’ll also want to have soft drink options. Chase makes a non-alcoholic sangria with a tropical punch full of peaches, pineapple, green grapes and pears. “I’ll add mint simple syrup and top it off with sparkling mineral water or lemon-lime mineral water,” she says.

Increase good mood

Hilton always strives for parties that are fun and drama-free, but admits that sometimes things just happen (even when the cameras aren’t on). Real Housewives!). “My advice is to think carefully about your guest list so you have a good mix of people, old and new friends,” she says. “And if something comes up, just make the most of it and don’t add to the drama; we’re here to have a good time.”

When she’s ready to relax, Hilton has a trick to get her guests out. “I always have a ton of Voluspa candles in the Crushed Candy Cane scent around my house,” she says. “If I start turning them off, guests usually get a hint that it’s time to go.”

Shutterstock

Weiss’ trick to end the party? The music fades slowly and the attenuator lights up. “Thank them for coming and wish everyone a happy holiday,” she explains. “He’ll start to get the hint.”

And don’t be afraid to put an end time on the invitation. “You don’t want to start too early, and maybe you don’t want to go too late,” says party organizer Christopher Mills.

Be creative with your theme

Check out some from Hilton, which has hosted a Caroling and Cocktails party in the past and last year kicked off its holiday pajama collaboration with Sant & Abel with a PJ party where guests brought toys for Children’s Hospital LA and sipped hot chocolate drinks cart. “Everyone loved being in their pajamas!” she says. “It was a great way to start the holidays.”

Kathy Hilton and Kris Jenner at Hilton’s Pajama Party. Shutterstock

Because, Weiss says, sometimes party hosts can feel overwhelmed with choices before the party, “a theme is great because it helps you focus on one direction. Pick a theme and keep it simple.” Some low-effort, high-impact themes might include a monochromatic color scheme or greenery on your desk; you can go over-the-top, like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck did for their song party, or go all out, like Taylor Swift did for her Dress as Your Childhood Hero New Year’s Eve party.

And don’t be afraid to choose an activity or be silly with it! “A karaoke box is a great idea – make grandma sing bells!” says Mills, who also created Home alone themed Christmas meal and ready-made parties in Narnia topics. “Unleash your inner child,” he says.

Create an atmosphere

“My favorite kind of decorating is highlighting pieces of decor that are familiar to you from past holiday experiences,” says Weiss. “Open your closets and repurpose old items and incorporate your family history.”

“If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s working,” says Cerbelli. “The tree should be lit and don’t forget the candles.”

Megan Anderkin’s Holiday Sweater Party. Courtesy of Megan Anderkin

And play some festive music. Megan Anderkin, program coordinator and event planner for Norton Neuroscience, sets up a YouTube playlist of music videos on her TV with a random selection of fun and Christmas music, which plays during her annual Christmas sweater party. “It becomes a crowd favorite and a conversation starter every time,” she says.

You can also play games, “but remember, this is also a time when people like to catch up and hang out with friends and family that haven’t been around for a long time so don’t over-plan,” says Weiss. “Allow that free flow of conversation.”

Be the host with the most

“One tip I learned early on is that when you open the front door, you should look like you’re stress-free,” says Weiss. “You’re dressed nicely, your house smells good and you’re ready to celebrate.”

She recommends inviting guests to the space where you want them to gather. “Offer them a drink and take their coats (or get someone to do it for you).” And remember, as the host, people are watching your leadership, so try not to drink too much unless you want a rowdy party.

Mindy Weiss shows off her leadership skills at the event. Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty

Hilton’s secret to stress-free nights involves a lot of preparation. “I try to plan ahead as much as I can, lay out everything I want to use in advance and go through the event at least a full day before,” she says. There will always be little things that come up, and being organized ensures that she can spend more time socializing and less time solving problems on the spot.

Hilton suggests writing down your party plan to keep the details in one place: “I have a wonderful party journal where I keep track of my menus, playlists, even guests’ food allergies.”

If it’s in your budget, you can hire a bartender or waiter to fill people’s drinks and clear plates. “If not, family members are usually very willing to help, so don’t be afraid to ask,” says Weiss. “Don’t try to do everything yourself.”

Don’t sweat the spillage

For some people, worries about stained upholstery or broken heirlooms can inhibit their desire to host. Beverlee Dacey, president of Amodex Products’ non-toxic stain remover line, suggests some preparations to ease anxiety leading up to the event. For example:

• Invest in premium sofa covers.
• Buy stain-resistant bedding, which is treated with a coating that repels water and stains.
• Replace white linens with color to better conceal stains.
• Replace candles with LED imitation candles if candle wax is your enemy.
• Use liners on top of bedding as the first line of defense against spills.
• Do not crowd the table with guests so that you have enough room to move your hands.
• Remove the stamens from the lilies before arranging them.

If stains do appear (and they will!), get rid of them after the party — this prevents guests from feeling guilty and also sets you up for success.

“The most important thing to remember is not to treat your stains until you’re ready to wash, because applying the wrong solution can leave a stain,” says Dacey. Home remedies like using baking soda on red wine, baking soda on oil stains or rubbing alcohol on ink stains, she says, will leave you with a “smudge headache.”

Keep paper towels nearby so guests don’t use cloth napkins to soak up spills. “You don’t need to multiply the mess!” says Dacey. Regardless of the stain, it’s best, she adds, to clean as much as possible and then wash properly later. “I’ve never seen, nor would I ever suggest, a complete clean-up in the middle of a party,” she says. And if a stain appears, stay calm. Most things, like wine, will come out.

Bryan Gardner. Entertainment services by entertainment expert Darcy Miller

Make cleaning easy

“If it’s in your budget, it’s nice to have professional help so they can clean up while the party is going on,” says Weiss. If that’s not in the budget, clean up gradually throughout the evening whenever there’s a lull in conversation so you’re not completely covered in a huge mess when everyone leaves. Enlist a partner or several family members to help.

Keep trash and recycling bins nearby for guests to dispose of empty drinks and trash. If you’re using regular dishes, opt to wash them in the dishwasher to save yourself hours of hand washing — but for one night, there’s no shame in disposable plates either! At the end of the night, the most important thing is that everyone enjoyed themselves, including you, and being on cleaning patrol for hours into the night is probably not your idea of ​​a good time.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education