Checklist for a hit holiday party

BY ERIK J. MARTIN

The holidays are a time for getting together and celebrating the festivities of the season. Put more simply, it’s the perfect excuse to hold a party. And few events are more rewarding — or more stressful — than hosting a holiday shindig in November or December to which family and friends are invited.

Fortunately, you can ensure a successful (and COVID-safe) get-together and pull off your merrymaking without a hitch by following the best practices recommended by the pros.

“Planning a party can seem simple, but planning an experience that your guests will remember, and one that focuses on pandemic safety, requires well-curated and thought-out details,” suggests Alesia Riley, event director for blk haus branding + events in Washington, DC.

Lisa Mirza Grotts, an etiquette expert in San Francisco, subscribes to that theory.

“The devil is in the details, especially when it comes to holiday parties. Planning a party is about time management, and as the adage says, the early bird always gets the worm,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be a stressful experience if you keep your cool and prep well ahead of time.”

For best results, follow this checklist of recommended steps, in order: • Get started early. “Secure a date, time, and location as soon as possible, and consider a special holiday theme that can drive your decor choices,” Riley suggests.

• Mail or email invites weeks ahead of time

— at least two to three weeks before a less

formal party. “Make sure your invite is clear and that your guests know to RSVP so that you can plan ahead,” advises Grotts. • Establish a budget and stick to it.

Determine how much you can spend, then set a limit on edibles, refreshments, entertainment, and other party essentials. • Keep the menu from becoming overcomplicated. It’s ideal to hire a caterer, but if this is a DIY effort, ponder your entrée, side dishes, desserts, and beverages carefully. To simplify the party, consider setting up a food station or taco bar. “You can make one or two items yourself, or purchase the rest, or you can ask others to make and bring those dishes. A host should never be drudging in the kitchen when guests arrive, so try to plan for dishes that can be easily heated up or delivered,” Grotts says. “Three courses are plenty.” • Book any live entertainment you want well in advance. “Give thought to the fact that Santa Claus performers and musicians are often booked months in advance,” cautions Heather Roonan, a spokesperson for GigSalad, a Springfield, Missouriheadquartered entertainment booking online marketplace. “If you wait too long to plan this portion of your party, you risk not getting a higher-quality performer or getting one at all.” • Enlist help. Delegate a few responsibilities to loved ones or close friends, such as assistance with invites and gathering

RSVPs, house cleaning, decorating, cooking, setting the table, and cleaning up after the party. • Order ahead. Say you’re aiming for a particular sized tablecloth or shade of serving tray. If so, it’s best to scour the web than drive all over town looking for it,

Grotts adds. • Create a playlist. The right music sets the tone for your party, so give careful thought to the tunes and artists you want to play.

Purchase a smart speaker that can link to your phone or online music account (like

Spotify or Pandora) and be controlled via voice assistant. • Serve a specialty cocktail. “You don’t want to be shaking martinis all night, so select one drink you can make in pitchers, like holiday sangria or a spiked punch, in addition to other libations,” says Grotts. • Complete as many tasks as possible before the party date. You don’t want to leave all the fine details to the hours immediately before your festivities, so aim to check as many to-dos off your list in the days prior. • Practice pandemic cautions. That means following the latest recommendations from the CDC when it comes to wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding as much contact as possible, and more. If you live in a moderate climate, consider posting your party outdoors. Or, give thought to keeping your gathering to a smaller group and encouraging your invitees to get fully vaccinated. n