Happy holiday season! This is one of my favorite times of year – the lights, the music, the overall festivity. It’s easy to get caught up in everything, and feel like things need to be extra extra… which leads to exhaustion and burnout. It doesn’t have to be this way! Here are some tips to throw a simple holiday party.

Invitations

Electronic invitations are the easiest and fastest way of spreading the word. You don’t have to sacrifice style when using Paperless Post to send your invitations. There are designer collaborations from well-known designers such as Rifle Paper Co, Kate Spade, and Sugar Paper. There’s an invitation for every style and tone of the party. It’s incredibly easy to use, with step-by-step customization. You can even send yourself a test invitation or schedule it to be sent at a later date. Once the invitation is sent, there is an event dashboard to manage rsvps. You can even send an event reminder or note to the guests (perfect for reaching the group should there be a snowstorm the day of your party!). It could not be easier.

Food

Finger food appetizers are cute, but unless you have a professional kitchen (and sous chefs) at your disposal, it’s a ton of work. Invite people over for a meal, and create large servings for a self-serve buffet. Pop a soup into the crock pot, make a big salad, and slice up a fancy loaf of bread. It’s healthy, hearty, and does not require you to be in the kitchen for days prepping.

Drinks

Set up a drink station, and direct guests to help themselves. Put out a variety of flavored seltzers, and make a batch cocktail. (I highly recommend this cranberry-thyme spritzer.) Complete the set up with some fancy straws, a bucket of ice, and cups. Voila. Before you know it, you’re done.

Activity

Getting together to visit and celebrate the season is a perfectly acceptable reason for a party. If you are feeling the pressure of too much to do at this time of year, you can also incorporate this into your party. Add in a cookie swap element and have guests go home with a variety of baked goods. Another idea can be to have a wrapping party so you and your friends can wrap gifts away from the eyes of the recipients at home. You can chat, have lunch, and get something crossed off of your To Do list.

I hope that these tips helped you to plan a fun yet simple holiday party!

What is your favorite type of holiday party? Do you host, or do you just like to attend others’ parties? Let me know in the comments!

 

This post was made in collaboration with Paperless Post. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support Champagne Thursday.