Hosting a Christmas Party

Hosting a party doesn't have to be difficult. With a few easy shortcuts and a little planning,  you'll be hosting soirées like the divine Ms. Martha in no time. Even an informal party might take a few days of planning, and more elaborate parties may take a few weeks to get everything set up. Set a schedule for yourself and don't try to do everything at the last minute -- it will save you stress and you won't have to worry about forgetting anything. Most importantly, don't stress. If you accidentally burn the cookies  and have to send your spouse out for a box of Entemann's,  it's not the end of the world. Your guests will be so happy to be at a party and having a good time that they will not notice if you substitute a few store-bought goods here and there. Have fun!

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

The first thing to decide when hosting a holiday party is whether it will be a generic "holiday" party or a Christmas party.  If you are throwing this party in an office or school environment, you should strive to include everyone in your celebration. This means that you should probably serve a main dish besides the ham and put up some decorations  for other holidays or stick with a winter  theme. If your party is in your home, however, do whatever you like.

Send the Invitations

It won't be much of a party if no one shows up. It is best to send out invitations  at least three weeks ahead of time. Consider hosting a weeknight get-together, since people's weekends tend to be very full around the holidays.

• For an informal party with a younger crowd, an electronic invitation may be sufficient. Evite is a good option.
• For a larger party, a more old-fashioned crowd or a formal party, stick with print invitations.
• Print invitations are also nice because your guests can hang them on the fridge as a reminder or take them in the car if they need directions.
• Besides, who doesn't like getting an invitation by mail? It makes your party seem more special.
• Keep an RSVP list easily accessible so that all of your replies are organized in one place. A good idea is to hang up a list near where you talk on the phone or read the mail most frequently, depending on how your guests will reply.
• The style of the invitation should follow the general style of your party. Below are a few suggestions.

Fun	Formal	Festive	Winter Holiday	Photo

• Be sure to include all the important details: where, when, how to get there, and how to reply.
• If you have a formal party, you might want to include a stamped, addressed envelope and RSVP card. Only do this if you have sufficient time before the party for everyone to respond.
• If you are planning to have a "Secret Santa" (or "Secret Holiday Gift Grab Bag"), make sure to mention the details, including a price limit and whether gifts should be marked for men, women or both.

Plan the Menu

After you send the invitations, you should decide on the menu. Is it a cocktail party, a sit-down dinner, or a buffet brunch? Whichever you choose, have your menu planned out at least two weeks in advance.

Cocktail Parties

• Plan on about 8-10 pieces of hors d'oeuvres  per guest if your party is taking place instead dinner, plus a table where they can serve themselves hummus, olives, crudités and other tasty tidbits. You'll need fewer pieces if you're also planning on serving dinner (3-4) or if your party is mid-afternoon (5-6).
• Check out this guide to Cocktail Receptions for some food suggestions.
• Once you decide what you will serve, figure out what you're going to make yourself and what you'll buy pre-made. Many bulk discount stores have very good frozen hors d'oeuvres that you can buy in large quantities.
• For a more traditional Christmasy party, consider serving bite-sized morsels of traditional holiday fare. Cubes of smoked turkey  or ham  and roasted baby potatoes  can be served with toothpicks, while tastes of cranberry sauce  can be eaten on crackers.
• For a more upscale feel, try gourmet bites like hard-boiled quail eggs  with caviar or roe,  chopped asparagus lightly dressed with hollandaise sauce,  or spoons loaded with lobster salad. Senses Catering in Toronto has some other great suggestions too.
• For a cocktail party, make sure you have a wide variety of beverages available, from sparkling water  to rum punch  to eggnog.  You might also want to feature a seasonal favorite, like mulled cider  with rum  or hot toddies.

Dinner Parties

• Start by planning your service style and main course. If you're serving dinner as a sit-down meal, plan on one (perhaps two) main courses.
• If you're having a buffet,  you might also have a larger party. Consider having several chafing dishes  with meat, fish, pasta, and a vegetable-based entrée. In addition, a large bowl of salad, some bread and cheese, and a few side dishes will round out your buffet.
• Classic Christmas dinner party choices are stuffed turkey breasts,  a roast goose,  or a ham.  For more menu suggestions, check out the guide to a traditional Christmas dinner.
• Wine
• If you are planning a seated dinner, you can also plan the wines that you will pair with each course. This is the last part of the menu you should plan, unless there is a particular wine you want to showcase.

Brunches

• Unless you're having professional service at your party, steer clear of foods that are best when very fresh. Waffles and omelettes may be difficult to do.Pancakes,  however, can be made just before the party and kept warm in the oven until you serve them.
• Fresh breads and fruit preserves  are a good start.
• Instead of ordinary breakfast sausages, spice things up with something special. Perhaps a venison sausage  from a local farm, or a chicken and apple sausage  for a little sweetness.
• Ordinary scrambled eggs aren't very exciting. Try changing things up with a fritata, quiche, or other egg-based dish with lots of savory filling.
• Smoked salmon  with capers  and red onions is a classic brunch favorite. Serve with bagels or pumpernickel bread. 
• Don't serve any "serious" drinks at brunch. Stick to mimosas, other champagne cocktails, or a delicious, light fruit punch.

Planning Ahead

Whichever kind of party you decide to throw, the most important thing to do is to have a game plan a few weeks in advance. These suggestions are based on Martha Stewart's game plan for the 2004 holiday season, which you can read or download as a PDF from her Web site.

Four weeks before the party

• Choose invitations. Assemble a guest list and send the invitations.
• If you are having the party catered, discuss the menu and arrange a tasting with the caterers.
• Write a list of what the store hours will be for your local grocery, butcher, baker, florist, etc. around the holidays. Keep in mind that some privately owned small businesses may have limited hours during the holiday season, so it is good to plan for an emergency in advance.

Three weeks before the party

• Decorate your house -- it will also help you get in the holiday spirit.
• If you are preparing the food for your party yourself, start planning your menu. 
• Have a tasting with the caterer and make any adjustments to the menu that you feel are appropriate.
• Order flowers if you want to have a special custom-made arrangement.

Two weeks before the party

• Purchase anything that you can keep frozen, like appetizers or desserts.
• Go over your response list and figure out just how many people will attend. Make sure to tell the caterer! Plan out your menu, and assume you will have a few extras at the last minute.

Week of party

• Buy any fresh plants  or flowers  that will decorate your house. You can buy poinsettias  and other potted plants a week in advance, but try to get cut flowers as close to the party as possible.
• Make your shopping list for the party. Divide it into two lists: things you can buy a few days in advance (like pasta and other dry goods), and things that you must buy the day before (or day of) the party (like fresh produce and bread).
• Clean your house thoroughly. Don't leave it for the night before or the day of the party. Your house will stay pretty clean for a few days, although you might have to do a little bit of touching up before your guests arrive.
• Don't worry too much about bedrooms or other rooms that guests won't see.
• Do worry about the bathroom, because that's where your guests will have time to look around without distraction.
• Polish your silver knickknacks and serving pieces. 
• Prepare parts of dishes that can be prepared in advance on the day before the party -- but don't wait to start this project until after dinner.

Night before

• Get a good night's sleep! How can you be a sparkling host or hostess if you are exhausted?
• Prepare your game plan. Make sure every family member has an assigned task or two -- delegating is important.

External Links

• Senses Catering -- Toronto-based catering company; valuable tips, but geared towards more formal (and catered) parties.
• Martha Stewart Christmas -- the guide to holiday entertaining and crafts, from the diva herself.