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So you want to host a holiday party this year? I have hosted several of these and can offer you some tips for the planning process as well as for enjoying yourself during the occasion. Depending on the type of person you are will depend on how much preparation is needed to make your holiday event special to you. For instance, I am a stickler for matching everything. My theme is usually traditional, holly berries and all. Paper plates and cups must match, as well as the napkins. You get the idea.
Prepare well in advance, mapping out your "strategy." This will include plans to send out the invite (at least a month in advance), clean your place up (give it a thorough once over) as well as a timeline of when to do what, especially if you plan to make some of your own appetizers. If you only have mostly weekends to spare, then you will want to do your cleaning a couple of weeks ahead of time (dusting, vacuuming and washing).
Also a week or two before is when you should put up the major decorations, including the tree. I usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, since my party is the first or second Saturday of the month.
If you have any nagging projects that are in the way (i.e., shredding that mountain of paper), do so at least 3-4 weeks in advance!
Save Sunday two weeks before to do an inventory and then buy any supplies or extra decorations you are missing, such as chafing dishes, paper plates, napkins, cups, stirrers, plastic forks, etc.
The weekend before the party, go to the supermarket or warehouse (i.e., Costco) and buy your non-perishables, such as frozen appetizers, soda, juice, chips, liquor, salsas, dips (or make your own), nuts, cheeses, olives, and whatever else you desire. If you are making some of your own appetizers (I say some because it is time consuming, so try to balance buying some ready made ones), buy those ingredients as well. As for liquor, guests tend to bring wine as host gifts so do not buy more than one or two bottles. Do get the basics, such as rum and a good vodka. Beer is tricky, as I once bought some Budweiser but one of my guests went to the corner store and got what he wanted. You can't please everyone, but that's ok!
At this point, it is about a week before the party. Send out a reminder to your guests. Start setting up, i.e., table(s) and chairs, moving stuff out of the way. The reason for doing all this in advance is so you can relax and do only the minimum required on party day. Otherwise, you will be totally exhausted.
A couple of days before the party, head to your local grocer to pick up veggies and fruits. The basic crudites are a must, so don't forget the celery and carrots (baby carrots in a bag are ideal, as they're already cut up and peeled). Lemon and lime for the drinks, grapes for the cheese and crackers, and anything else that is easy to prepare, serve and eat is what you want. Pick up a bag of ice as well.
The day before the party is when you can chop up the celery, cheese, lemon and lime, and store it all in ziploc bags for easy set up the next day. Also, start arranging cups, plates and utensils, serving bowls and platters.
On the day of the party, sleep late. Turn off the heat as it will get too warm later on with everyone in the house and the oven having been on and chafing dishes heating. Then, have a friend come over in the late afternoon to help you set out the drinks, crudite and dip, chips and salsa, etc. About an hour or two before the party, start heating up the appetizers. Guests don't normally show up on time anyhow.
Some additional information:
I don't generally buy desserts, as with the food and liquor, guests just don't have the appetite for it. Also, guests usually bring the desserts, so the only thing I'll put out is some seasonal candy. Have a friend put some music together. It helps to delegate. Having the radio on with commercials doesn't do the party any good.
Remember to have fun and try not to be concerned with every aspect of the party once it has started. You worked hard and want to relax and enjoy the evening.
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