Whether you’re a \u201chostess with the mostest,\u201d and throwing a party is what you live for, or you just drew the short stick for this year, hosting a get-together often comes with a little stress. Even the best party planners can get overwhelmed by all the details. The menu, the decorations, the guest list, the cleaning, and above all, finding party activities that your guest will enjoy. With a little help though, your holiday bash can be a blast and fun to plan. Here are a few tips to help you throw a family holiday gathering without all the stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The holiday season is a time for family, friends, food, and fun! It’s not very often you get to spend the day with your extended relations and long-lost cousins. So why not make the most of it with Adventures From Scratch: Family Edition<\/a><\/em>? This beautiful book is chock-full of challenges that will test your creativity as you build deeper bonds. You’ll work together as a family<\/a>, and celebrate the wins together!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to make sure you get all the details covered, and don\u2019t give yourself gray hair in the process, follow this step-by-step list to get your party train rolling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important part of the holiday season is spending time with family members and loved ones. The right guest list can make or break a holiday party. Obviously, family gatherings don\u2019t have as much leeway in this department. We don\u2019t really get to choose our family, but you still have the option to include a close circle or the whole extended family. When planning a gathering for friends, think long and hard about who you want to be there, their relationships with each other, and the vibe you want to elicit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just because you’re hosting the family holiday, doesn\u2019t mean it has to be at your house. In fact, it might be less stressful for you to have it somewhere else. Most of us get a little overconcerned about the cleanliness of the baseboards or how others will perceive our homes when we host within our own walls. If having all those people in your halls, makes you nervous, you could choose a public place instead, like a city park, recreation center, restaurant, or local pub. Think about the personality of your guest list and decide on a place that fits your idea of a good party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every bash has a set of parameters. Before you send out your invites (or a mass text), you need to decide a few things. Will you be providing the holiday meal or are you going to do a potluck? If it\u2019s a Christmas party, will you be exchanging gifts? Will you draw names, play a gift-exchange game, or have a price limit? Will it be casual or black-tie? You might consult a few key members of your guest list and decide on these important aspects before you get too far into the planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Developing a cohesive theme for your party will help you consolidate options for food, dress code, and games. This one step can alleviate a lot of stress by bringing everything together in your mind. Once you have an exciting theme to work from (more on that later), you’ll find that the rest falls into place. Plus, people are more likely to get on board when they get to look forward to something out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to a holiday meal. You can go traditional and make it all from scratch, or have a taco bar and have everyone bring an element. Even if you do a potluck, we recommend you develop a menu. This way, you can send out the theme and the list of needed items, and people can sign up for what they would like to bring. This way, you won\u2019t end up with 10 desserts and no meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To keep everyone in the loop, you can use an online menu planning website or app like Potluck by Meal Train.<\/a> It allows you to put in the details of your gathering and the menu with quantities, allowing everyone in the group to see what has been claimed and what is still needed. It\u2019s a quick and easy way to keep everyone on the same page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The holiday season is an extra level of busyness for most people. Between work gatherings, family obligations, school gatherings, and friends, most people have something every weekend from November to January. Get your invitations out early! Six weeks in advance is advisable, but a month, at the very least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to include an RSVP section, the \u201crules\u201d of the party, the address, the dress code, and any parking instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose someone off your guest list that you work well with. They can help you pick decorations, think of game ideas, and take some of the stress off of planning the whole thing yourself. They may even want to help financially if that is a concern for you. Time to go shopping!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating an environment that is beautiful, comfortable, and appropriate for conversation is the key to throwing a truly great gathering. There are a lot of little things to consider, and every party is a little bit different, but here are a few aspects to think about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about the flow of people through your space. You should have clear walking paths between your points of interest. For instance, guests should be able to easily move from your snack table to the coffee bar, to the fireside seating without impediment. Create space anywhere you can by removing unnecessary objects and producing a flow that feels intuitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Music sets the ambiance like nothing else. If you ignore the rest of this list, have a great playlist in the background. For a black-tie cocktail party, consider a classical music list. For a family-centered get-together, turn up the Christmas favorites, and don\u2019t forget some fun jams for the kiddos. If you’re gathering with friends for drinks and snacks, then just bust out the oldies from your glory days. You could even lay out old CDs or vinyl and allow guests to choose what comes next. Make it part of the party activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another key to creating a fitting ambiance is to control the lighting. For a classy dinner party, consider dimming the overheads and brightening the table with Christmas lights or candles, along with the firelight. While you don\u2019t want anyone tripping over their feet, bright, fluorescent lights tend to make people feel exposed, especially if there are any social anxieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In any large group, people tend to break off into pods for conversations. For indoor gatherings, rearrange your furniture so that you have several different seating areas. Even some big throw pillows, in a corner, can create a cozy spot, so don\u2019t go buying a bunch of new chairs or anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also suggest a good outdoor spot for those who need a little fresh air. Whether it\u2019s rockers on the porch, benches around your fountain, or a few logs around the firepit, having an outdoor space is a relief for those who don\u2019t like close contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> Make sure that your guests know what areas are available to them, and place food and drinks at each of the sites. If it’s too cold to congregate outside, you may consider a few open windows for those who get a bit claustrophobic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your party includes a large meal, serve some appetizers for those who can\u2019t wait (or are nervous eaters). Spread them out around the area and include cute labels, with ingredients, so everybody knows what they are eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There will be at least one person in your group that will need a glass of wine to calm their nerves or put them in the mood to socialize. Your beverage area should be well-stocked, well-lit, and easy to access. Consider making a festive cocktail that fits your party theme to serve with dessert. If your gathering is on the dry side, offer non-alcoholic bevvies at the bar instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A great way to utilize your decorations is to highlight your seating areas. Consolidate most of your decorations to these areas, drawing in the guests and giving them some conversation starters. Great decorations do not have to be expensive. In fact, you can use just about anything to add to the ambiance, including your prepared food items. Set up a table for all the beautiful desserts. They are literal \u201ceye candy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candles are a cheap and effective accessory, and so are Christmas lights. Remember to stick to a color scheme, two or three colors, nothing too overwhelming. Local craft stores and even Dollar General have great options for inexpensive decor, and you can find plenty of inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may consider having multiple trees for your party, but leave one to be decorated as a part of the night. You could set out pre-made decorations or provide a craft table where each guest can make their own ornament. Then you can decorate and have a tree-lighting ceremony to kick off your gift-giving segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Entertain your guests with an indoor scavenger hunt from Let\u2019s Roam<\/a>. Through our interactive scavenger hunt app, you can keep your guests busy with some friendly competition! These activities can be performed at any time and don\u2019t take much prep on your part. Choose from several different categories, each with something for all ages. Have other ideas? Turn them into a custom scavenger hunt event!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, you’re meeting with family, but you might not necessarily know everyone in attendance. There are always significant others to meet! Additionally, it can never hurt to get to know your distant relatives a bit better. Why not bring everyone together for a little team-building exercise? We happen to know a thing or two about team building<\/a>, and it can be fun for anyone<\/em>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try some icebreakers<\/a> to get the conversation flowing or engage the gang in some improv games<\/a>, team up for holiday trivia, play a group game of Pictionary, or battle it out with Family Feud! Guests would love a game night<\/a> after dinner, don’t you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This game is easy and plays on our ability (or inability) to remember song lyrics. Play a few bars of a famous Christmas song and challenge guests, two at a time, to “buzz” in and finish the lyrics. This one always brings out the laughs, whether from mistaken lyrics or horrendous singing ability. Make sure to have a little gift for your winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re having an adults-only party, then challenge each guest to create their own, unique, holiday cocktail. You can have everyone bring a specific kind of liquor or additive to help with the cost, like a potent potluck. Give points for categories like taste, potency, and presentation. No booze? No problem! Compete in a fancy mocktail contest instead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n What better way to bond with your loved ones than to whip up some of great-grandma\u2019s famous recipes together? Too many party planners run around for hours before the get-together trying to make sure that everything is perfect and complete, but this keeps guests separated from the planning and uninvested. Successful event hosts know that the more people feel involved in the process, the more they will enjoy the gathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could also decorate pumpkins, gingerbread houses, or cookies together as an edible craft project or competition. Get creative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nothing facilitates conversation like a firepit. When people have something to do with their hands, a warm ambiance with a mesmerizing flame, and a chocolatey treat in hand, all the world is right! Roast some delicious s’mores and enjoy sweet conversation with your delectable treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ugly sweater contests have become a pretty common party theme. It\u2019s even more fun when you create your own sweaters! Head to Hobby Lobby or your nearest store full of bobbles and beads, and stock up on tassels, sequins, hot glue, and funny patches. Let your guests create their own masterpieces, and have a fashion show to determine the winner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be familiar with this mess of plastic wrap that’s become a festive favorite in households worldwide! The objective is to wrap as many little trinkets, baubles, and treats as you can inside a tightly wound clump of plastic wrap, carefully placing each far enough away that it’s a challenge to get to but close enough that it helps build your ball. For an eco-friendly twist, use packing materials that would otherwise be discarded or wind up your presents in strips of cloth headed to the rag pile. Whatever you use, the game will be just as exciting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your ball is ready to roll, have everyone sit in a circle. Each person gets to throw two dice to see who gets the highest number. That player goes first. He or she must put on mittens or oven mitts (to increase the degree of difficulty, of course), then pick a spot, and start unwinding. The person to their right will roll the dice until they hit doubles. At that time, the ball and dice are passed to the right. Keep playing until the ball is gone! Everyone gets to keep their prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you’ll certainly want to serve the cheese dip warm, holiday decorations, game setup, and playlists can be made ahead of time. If you send invitations out six weeks in advance, then begin collecting your decorations then. Putting everything off until the last minute will make you a worn-out, nervous mess by the time your guests arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to finding a party-planning partner, get input from your other guests on food and activities. Two brains are better than one, and three or four are even more efficient. Don\u2019t be too proud to ask for help, and don\u2019t assume that your guests don\u2019t want to help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t need to spend hours in the kitchen, making every dish from scratch. It’s perfectly okay to mix and match pre-made deli trays and bakery goods with grandma\u2019s potato salad. If your local baker makes the best cookies around, then preserve your mental health, grab a box, and present them in a creative way. There\u2019s no shame in it, and you\u2019ll be supporting local businesses!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out an all-inclusive planning app like Event Planner<\/a> to keep all your ducks in a row. They can help with invites, menus, and budget management, among every other aspect of the preparation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have had the same-old-same family gathering for the last thirty years, then your new ideas will likely be met with some resistance, but the truth is, if you’re bored with the normal, then the likelihood is that other family members are too. If you’re keen on making some changes, start with one or two things, incorporating a new activity or an easy-to-accomplish theme, while keeping the familiar menu. Conversely, choose a non-traditional meal, but keep the gift-giving process familiar. You want to spice up the party, not flip the whole table. Keeping the family involved in the process is important too, so ask family members to take on a task with the planning or preparing of an activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With scarecrows, hay bales, and pumpkins of every color, a harvest theme is perfect for a family-center Thanksgiving gathering. You can assemble traditional games like pinning the tail on the donkey, bobbing for apples, or making caramel apples. It will be hunting season, perhaps you install an archery pit or a dart board for a little competition. Set up a photo booth for the mandatory family photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose a Christmas movie like The Grinch<\/em> or A Christmas Carol<\/em>, or go completely random with Wizard of Oz<\/em>. Guests will come dressed as their favorite characters, and all decorations and food items should pertain to the movie somehow. If the weather participates, you might end your evening with an outdoor showing of the film. Set out blankets in the yard with a screen and projector, or create comfy palettes in your living room for a late-night showing. Don\u2019t forget the hot cocoa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Celebrate Christmas with an international flair. The holiday is celebrated in most of the world at this point, but the festivities vary greatly! Check out the customs and traditional foods in France, Korea, or South Africa. You could choose one country, or have people bring their favorite traditional dish from their favorite destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re having a close family get-together or a girl\u2019s party, make sure everybody is comfy by throwing out the sparkly holiday dress code and making it a pajama party instead! Pick a great movie, put on some cocoa, build a fire, and celebrate the holidays with a laid-back evening with your besties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bring in a little nostalgia by planning your party around old favorites. Set up Monopoly, Twister, Charades, and tug of war. Arrange a candy table with old-school treats like buttons, tootsie rolls, Pez, and gumballs. Break out the classic Nintendo for a rousing game of Mario. Whatever it’s that brings back happy memories for you and your clan, collect it, and spend your holiday reminiscing happy times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, the holidays are festive, but what’s the harm in a little mystery? Set yourselves up to solve a crime, as you play characters involved in a tricky whodunnit! Each guest should be given a script so you can learn a bit about the characters and their personalities. If your family is up for it, go all out! Accents, funny dialect\u2014the works! Break out into team sessions to see which group can determine the culprit first! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everybody loves tacos, and it\u2019s an easy meal to create for a large crowd. Find some appropriately-themed, brightly-colored decorations, and host a fabulous fiesta! Set the table for around a giant sombrero, and have a party like never before, as you enjoy red and green tortilla chips, dip into fried ice cream, and try to bust through a holiday-themed pinata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to Old-World Spain and bring on the tapas. These tiny dishes are perfect for a casual party, as they are usually finger foods, so no dishes, and they are visually appealing. For a unique aspect, consider hiring a flamingo dancer for a group lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, all the good holidays fall during the winter, putting those with severe illnesses and compromised immune systems at greater risk of contracting coronavirus or other winter illnesses. If you’re truly concerned, it’s your gathering, and you’re more than entitled to request that guests disclose their vaccination status, wear masks, and adhere to other guidelines from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The pandemic is now a part of our world, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might want to ensure your venue is large enough to maintain social distancing and, before joining holiday festivities, ensure that you are up to date with your own booster shots. Keep hand sanitizer readily available, and take extra precautions if you know that there will be unvaccinated people and high-risk guests in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re bored with your normal holiday gathering, then take a risk this year and try something new. The worst thing that can happen is you don\u2019t like it, and you don\u2019t do it again, no harm done!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a unique holiday tradition? Drop it in the comments for us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you’re here, be sure to check out some of our other holiday posts<\/a>. From Friendsgiving ideas<\/a> to winter break suggestions<\/a>, we’ll keep you moving and grooving with your family all season. And if you’re one of those late shoppers, we’ve even got a list of last-minute gifts<\/a> to help you ensure you’ve purchased perfect presents for everyone on your list this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hosting a party can be stressful, but with these tips for hosting a family holiday gathering<\/a>, you’ll have it covered. AdventureBook.com<\/a> will help you choose a theme, plan a menu, create the proper ambiance, and include fun activities!<\/p> <\/div> Every family holiday gathering<\/a> needs an abundance of food and fun! Head to AdventureBook.com<\/a> for more details. While there, grab a scratch-off adventure book<\/a> with over 50+ family activity ideas!<\/p> <\/div> Take the stress out of planning a family holiday gathering<\/a> by using an event planning app, involving loved ones in the process, and starting early. Holiday tips from AdventureBook.com<\/a> could help you sail through this season!<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hosting a family holiday gathering is an impressive feat, but it can be exhausting! Take some stress out of the season with these handy tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":10576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,248],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\n\n\nStep By Step Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Make your guest list.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Pick your location.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Set the rules.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Pick a theme.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Decide on a menu.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Send out invites early.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Pick a partner.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Building Ambiance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Create an easy flow<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Play the proper music<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Set mood lighting<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Create conversation pits<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Offer apps!<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Provide a beverage station<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Sprinkle decorations to draw the eye<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The Best Party Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tree Decorating<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Treasure Hunting<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Icebreakers and “Team-Building” Games<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Finish the Lyrics<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Cocktail Contest<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Baking Together<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
S’mores By the Fire<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Ugly Sweater Making<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Saran Wrap Ball Game<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Lowering the Stress<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t procrastinate.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Ask for help.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Betty Crocker is A-Okay<\/strong>.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Get some digital help.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be afraid to change it up!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Suggested Holiday Themes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Autumn Harvest<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Favorite Film<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
International Smorgasbord<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Pajama Party<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Old-Fashioned Fun<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Murder Mystery<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Fiesta<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Tapas<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Safety Precautions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nClosing Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n