Host a Last Minute Christmas Party
Just because your Christmas party is happening last minute doesn't mean it has to look like it's just been thrown together. Use a few of these tips that I shared on "Live with Regis and Kelly" to get your friends and family thinking you have your own team of elves working to help you forge new holiday traditions and creating modern heirlooms. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Plan a Last Minute Party Like a Pro!
1. Themes:
Bad Plaid. No one ever said you can't wear plaid after Labor Day. Take it a step further and have a plaid party. Pick up some plaid pillows, throw blankets and fabric to cover everything from the couch to the cat. Use the fabric to line platters and trays, or wrap it around your drinking glasses to add a little holiday flare.
Nothing is sweeter than a sweater! Thought you'd never wear the sweater your great aunt Winnie knitted for you last season...think again! Tonight is the night to bring out the loudest most festive sweater you have, and tell your guests to do the same. Have too many? Use them to wrap presents, or wrap them around large foam spheres and stack them to make snowmen to use as festive decorations.
2. Decor:
Linens Shminens! Save the fancy stuff...use a sassy wall paper, or an amazing piece of fabric as a table cloth instead.
Add a little twinkle to your table by making glitter letters. Cut them out of card stock, color or paint them your favorite holiday color, spray them with adhesive, pour on the glitter, then spell out fun holiday notes on the table like "Hi Santa!" or "Hi Rudolph!"
3. Food/Beverage:
Self-service please! Take the pressure off yourself and set up a self service Panini station for guests to create and serve themselves their desired snacks. Lay out a selection of spreads, meats, cheeses, breads, and a few grills and get your grill on!
Continue that theme with a self-service hot beverage bar. Set up a bar (use the same fabric or wall paper to cover the table from above), have a variety of hot chocolates, milks, teas, juices, etc. in thermoses (you can purchase these from: www.williamssonoma.com). Place marshmallows, sprinkles, lemon/lime/orange wedges, and all the goods to garnish the perfect holiday drink in individual containers. Be naughty and nice by laying out a labeled flask or two with rum, bourbon, whiskey, brandy, etc. for folks to spike their drinks.
4. Activities:
Chuck the Guestbook! How about a festive twist on the traditional guestbook? Simply, string paper snowflakes on fishing line from the ceiling against a wall or in an accessible window and let the merriment begin. Have pre-cut construction paper mittens and ornaments ready with an array of pens for guests to write a quick note or holiday wish on. Then punch a hole in the top, have some pre-cut ribbon laid out nearby and let guests tie their creations on the line. To keep the line straight use balloon weights at the base.
Make it Edible! It's still a tradition to decorate the tree Christmas Eve so that the kids can have a big surprise in the morning. Don't worry if you don't have your tree finished; make a party activity out of it. Order candies from www.hammondscandies.com, make sugar cookies, and other homemade treats, then set them up on a table and let the fun begin. Have guests decorate the tree with all the edibles they can find (one for the tree, one for me should be the attitude).
Game on! Clear a wall where you can set up a balloon wall with prizes. Hang images of prizes on the wall, place a balloon in front of them with a word written on it like "twinkle" "believe" "imagine" then have those same words on paper inside a bag or hat. Have people pick a paper out of the bag, pop the balloon with the matching word and reveal your prize.
5. Remember, whether you're hosting Regis and Kelly, family and/or friends the holiday season is about caring and sharing special moments with those who matter most!
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