Holiday Party Planning

Words by Christine Van Dyk

There’s no better time to gather with friends and family than the holidays, and no better way to celebrate than a festive soiree. It all begins with a catchy idea to guide the decor, activities, and menu. Cute or elegant, family-friendly or adults-only—the right theme is all you’ll need to get the party started.

Get Toasty

Vinyls and Vines — Fire up the turntable, push back the furniture, and uncork the wine—now you’re on your way to one groovy party. Get out the old vinyl collection and ask your friends to bring along their favorite records for an eclectic playlist that’s as interesting as the guest list.

From vintage throwbacks to boogie beats, all this party needs are charcuterie boards, a dance floor, and refills!

Trimmings and Tastings — Wine doesn’t need to be intimidating; keep it simple at this festive fête. Start by inviting a few friends to trim the tree, enjoy some appetizers, and sample the season’s best vino. Each tasting should feature wines of different countries/regions, types of grapes, and price points. Wrap the bottles in burlap bags to hide the labels and serve four two- ounce pours per tasting. Cheese, crackers, and bread will help cleanse the palette. Finally, have your guests describe and rate the vintages before sending everyone home with an ornament to mark the occasion.

Family Fun

Pancakes and PJs — Here’s a party idea for the first weekend in December when most towns host their annual Christmas parades. Wake the kiddos up bright and early; there’s no need to get dressed since they’ll already be in their favorite holiday jammies. Join your friends and family for a pancake buffet complete with all the fixins before heading off to cheer on the parade and welcome Santa. It’s the perfect way to usher in the season.

Skating Through the Holidays — Get the season rolling with a skate party. Rent a roller rink and send out funky invites to all the gang. You’ll want finger foods for easy snacking, plenty of soda for “suicides,” and pom-poms to bling your skates. Toss on some groovy music and play games such as roller derby relay, limbo skate, and musical skates—all set to your favorite holiday tunes, of course. Finish by cramming in the photo booth or taking candids under the disco ball.

Picture This! —“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the ‘hood, every creature was stirring to see if they could, find the Christmas surprise that was hidden with care, but hurry, don’t dawdle, there’s no time to spare.” Kids use camera phones in this quirky scavenger hunt to record clues such as videos on Santa’s lap, carol sing-a-longs, and groups dressed up in ugly Christmas sweaters. The rules are simple: return by the time limit, stay within the boundaries, and stick with your team. The group that finds the most clues, wins. Afterwards, it’s time for cookies and presents around the big screen while watching all the crazy antics.

Cozy and Intimate

Hygge Holidays — The Nordic tradition of ‘hygge’ (pronounced hyoo-guh) is about coziness, simplicity, and community. This isn’t an elegant soiree; it’s the kind of get-together where you wear your comfiest sweater and shearling slippers. Hygge is about being together and enjoying simple things such as board games, crafts, and puzzles. So, light a few candles and enjoy a dinner of comfort foods. Then, cuddle under the blankets with hot chocolate and a classic movie before sending your guests home with a cherished book. It’s a great reminder to appreciate the little things.

A Few of My Favorite Things — So, you just discovered the greatest gadget from Amazon you never knew you needed? Share all your secret finds—from coffee to skincare to home decor.

Each guest brings a few gifts or stocking stuffer ideas to show off. Then, everyone draws names “white elephant style” to see who gets to take home each prize. Besides the gifts, you’ll have lots of ideas for the season. The dress is casual, finger foods are best, and drinks are a must.

The Reason for the Season

Hanging of the Greens — During this sacred Christmas gathering, you’ll decorate your house with symbols of the season such as evergreens, wreaths, and a Chrismon tree. With each decoration that’s hung, your guests will learn their origins—from the lighting of candles to the meaning of the red holly berry to the singing of Silent Night. Do a quick internet search to find the order of service, Scripture readings, and carols. After the hanging of the greens, it’ll be time for cider, cocoa, and cookies in this memorable Advent celebration.