It may be hard to believe, but the holiday season is just a few weeks away. For honorary hosts and hostesses, now is the time to begin planning your annual family gathering. One of the most significant stressors is figuring out how to make the event more memorable than the last. While being in the company of loved ones should suffice, you want to ensure that your guests have a fantastic time. So, how do you prevent your gathering from being the same dull, boring, and run-of-the-mill event? You switch things up. Continue reading for tips.
Take The Festivities Outdoors
Who says your family dinner must be held indoors at the dining room table? A change of scenery could be just what you need to liven up your holiday gathering. Take the festivities outdoors this year if you have a large yard or outdoor living space.
Clean the yard, wash off your lawn furniture, and decorate with seasonal flowers, plants, and other festive items. If you don’t have enough tables and chairs to accommodate your guests, find a rental company and have them shipped to your house a few days before the event.
Depending on where you live, you may also need to rent tents and outdoor heaters to keep your guests warm, dry, and comfortable during the gathering.
Feel-Good Music Helps Set The Tone
How do you break the silence, get people interacting, and cultivate a happy environment? You turn on some feel-good music. There’s nothing like hearing your favorite jam to get you on your feet and in a positive mood. It’s a great way to break the ice and a fun source of entertainment that will have your guests dancing the night away.
You don’t need to waste money on a DJ; you can create a playlist using your favorite music streaming service and connect it to a Bluetooth speaker. Try to stick to positive, upbeat, and familiar songs to maintain a happy vibe.
What’s A Party Without Games?
Games are a fun pastime and an excellent way to keep your guests engaged and entertained. Of course, everyone has different gaming preferences, so ensure you have a few options available. Kids might enjoy playing video games, outdoor sports, or arts and crafts. Conversely, adults prefer cards, board games, and team challenges to get the party going.
Add A Wow Factor To Alcoholic Drinks
If there is one thing your friends and family expect at a holiday party, it’s alcohol. While having a mini-bar with traditional drink options is ideal, adding a wow factor can liven up your event. You could look for recipes to create signature cocktails or add features like sparklers, smoke, fizz, or garnishes to make the drinks more enticing. Margarita ice pops are a creative concept and a sweet treat that everyone is sure to love.
Break Up The Monotony of a Traditional Spread
It’s not uncommon for people to attend multiple holiday gatherings. However, it can get pretty monotonous if the menu options are the same. Everyone expects to indulge in traditional holiday foods like turkey, ham, stuffing, sweet potatoes, greens, bread, macaroni and cheese, and cranberry sauce. So, why not liven up your event by offering them other options?
Switch up the menu this year by mixing some traditional holiday foods with new dishes. Instead of baking the turkey, have it fried. Throw some marshmallows and pecans on your sweet potato casserole. Incorporate cultural or ethnic dishes to add character and personality. If you’re feeling really bold, you can go completely off-script and have a holiday barbecue with steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and cold sides. The idea is to do something your guests aren’t expecting to appeal to their taste buds and make the night memorable.
Being the designated host for a holiday party is challenging. You must figure out how to plan an appealing, accommodating, and affordable event. Your goal is to do something that makes the occasion entertaining and meaningful. Rather than stick to the same plans, liven up your family gathering this year by incorporating some of the suggestions listed above. Chances are, your guests will have such a good time that they’ll want to return every year.
