Holiday Party Planning Tips
It’s hard to believe, but the holiday season is right around the corner and now is the time to begin planning your holiday parties. Whether you’re looking to host a company party or simply a gathering for friends and family – many of the same principles apply.
Decide on the Type of Holiday Party
Will you be hosting a small party for immediate family, or a company party for upper management? Or are you looking to plan a party that includes all your acquaintances or a full company party? Once you have made these decisions, you can decide how casual or formal your party is.
Determine a Budget
Make sure you are staying within an appropriate budget – include everything that you may need. Be sure the budget is one of the first things you address when planning.
Create a Guest List
Maintain a detailed guest list and be sure to stipulate who is invited when sending out invites. If you are planning a corporate gathering, you may wish to invite certain clients to thank them for their business.
Select a Date and Venue
There is no perfect day or time for a party. The holiday season tends to be a busy time, so it may be worth asking your guests what days do or don’t work for them. Once you have determined a couple tentative dates it is time to select your venue! This is one of the busiest times of the year for venues, so it is important to plan early and be flexible. For some a restaurant reservation is sufficient, others may wish to reserve a banquet venue to allow for a private event.
Pick a Theme
The overarching theme will of course be the holiday season, but it is important to have fun and add to the experience to create lasting memories. Entertainment can also be important in keeping people engaged and feeling relaxed. A live entertainer, band, or DJ can be a crucial factor for any quality party, while house sound may be appropriate for more low-key events.
Pick Your Menu
Plan your menu to fit the evening. Venue coordinators can offer strong advice when deciding what items to pair together as well as recommending hors d’oeuvres. Hors d’oeuvres add a great element to start the party by allowing guests to mingle and settle into the evening.
Plan the Bar
If you are planning to offer alcohol the selections can be just as important as the food when it comes to a holiday party. You may wish to offer a signature drink for the party that fits with your theme and the season. Other considerations include whether you will offer a full bar or limit your guest’s selections. If you are offering alcohol, you may wish to come up with a system to limit how much guests consume to ensure they make it home safely.
To begin planning your holiday event at Apple Mountain contact us at 989.781.6789 or events@applemountain.com.