Ideas for Christmas Party

DH & I are planning a christmas party. I thought I would reach out the ladies here for some ideas. This is the first time I am planning a Holiday party. It's a mixed crowd so everyone doesn't know each other. We are expecting about 12 people in our small apartment, so we have to do it buffet style dinner.

So please share any decorating, planning, dinner etc ideas. Also, should I give everyone favors? If so, any ideas?

Message edited 12/4/2007 9:13:35 AM.

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

We did this a couple of years ago and we had a cocktail party. We had finger foods, drinks, dessert, coffee, etc. We are going to be doing another one next year and going to have a hero, some hot food, etc.

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

My friends are hosting one this year in their home. Some couples are bringing hot dishes and some are bringing appetizers & desserts.
Not too sure how she is decorating. It's their first time hosting.

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

we have one every year and invite my family over. There are about 10 adults and 2 kids.

Here's our menu this year (all homemade):
Apps:
-empanadas (DH speciality)
-beef skewers
-artichoke dip
-cheese and crackers

Entrees:
-Mixed green salad with gorgonzola, toasted walnuts and dried cranberries
-NY strip steak
-smased potatoes
-asparagus casserole
-3 cheese pasta dish

Dessert:
-linzer cookies
-chocolate moose with peppermint whip

Drinks:
-Peppermint martini
-cosmos
-Wine

I make little favors also, this year I will have a little nutcracker ornament, andies after dinner candies (our last name is Anderson) and some other candies in a Christmas themed chinese takout container (got them at big lots).

We also get something for the kids to do, last year we got ginger house kits for them to make their own house. Not sure what we'll have them do this year, maybe decorate cookies.

The rest of us hang out, drink, maybe play a game later at night. It's a fun night!

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

What about asking everyone to bring a $15 grab bag gift. That way everyone leaves with a little something and you don't have to foot the bill.

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

Bump for more suggestions please..

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

You can have a holiday stock the bar cocktail party.

You can do an ornament swap where you can ask people to bring the most funniest/craziest ornament they can find.

An ugly Holiday sweater party- Ask people to come dressed in the most hideous sweater they could find. Then pick some judges and have a contest for who wins!!


Or just do a basic dessert type thing where you can just have desserts & hor deurves

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

We do this every year!!! This year will be our 4th holiday party in our tiny apartment.

Our friends all now "know" eachother and are pretty close, but we have some guests from out of town that 4 years ago, didn't know some of our Long Island friends.

To get everyone talking we always had some sort of gift exchange/grab bag. Our first year, there was a boys and girls seperate. Then we did anything for either sex under $20.00. Last year we had a wine exchange, bring your favorite bottle under $15.00. This year we are having a donation box for Long Island cares that every guest can bring a private donation.

It has really helped everyone mingle and meet. Even without a gift exchange, people will mingle and chat, our friends are a really social group, so it's easy to put them all in a room together.

Since it's the holidays, we do a full meal. I usually cook but this year we are catering to make it easier. My rule is keep it simple, I make one or two types of cocktails, we have the basic drink essentials ready and plenty of beer and wine. I set up everything so people can get their own drinks. Dinner is buffett style since we have little space. We put the christmas music channel on the TV, which ultimately gets changed at some point during the night...and it's a great time!

We love love love our party...I hope you guys do too!!!

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

Great ideas...one cool gift thing we used to do at school was everyone buys a $20 gift & they get wrapped & put in one place. A name is drawn & that person picks ANY gift, then the next person has the option of taking the first person's gift or choosing their own & on & on. You may end up w/ 8 different gifts b4 the night is over. Gift cards were a huge hit; but it got everyone talking/mingling

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

How about instead of giving a favor ask everyone to bring a toy and donate them to Toys for Tots?

Re: Ideas for Christmas Party

I went to a party that use to have a microphone set up. Of course in the beginning of the night you have a few people being silly and singing christmas carols, but after a few drinks.......it got really, really funny.