Hosting a Holiday Party? Read This First!

The holidays are a time for fun and celebration, but let’s be real—they can also come with a side of stress! With all the traditions and high expectations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Enter the holiday party! Bringing together your friends, family, and coworkers is a great idea, but hosting that gathering is a different story. Don’t worry, though—we’re here to help make it a little easier. Let’s look at some simple tips to help you prepare for your holiday party.
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Holiday Party Planning Checklist

​Before you can party, you’ve got to prepare! Hosting a holiday party can be exciting, but prepping can get overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this handy checklist to keep you on track without feeling like you’ve bitten off more gingerbread than you can chew!

Download a free copy now!

Set a Budget

​Decide how much you want to spend on the basics, like food, drinks, and decor. Are you considering extras like games or karaoke? Decide now what you can spend and stick to it.
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Make a Guest List

​Big bash or cozy gathering? Consider who’s coming—kids, out-of-towners, anyone with special needs or dietary restrictions? Jot it all down so you know what you’re working with.
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Choose a Date and Time

We all know the holiday season is busy, so do a little research to find a date that works for most people. Are you hosting out-of-town guests? Make sure the timing suits their travel plans. Are you inviting families? You’ll want to avoid scheduling during their big Christmas program. You can’t please everyone, but a little planning goes a long way!
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Decide on a Theme

Are you feeling a Grinchy vibe (green punch, anyone?) or going for a tropical Christmas luau? How about a pajama party or a Feliz Navidad fiesta? The options are endless—and a theme helps guide your decorations, menu, and activities.
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Plan Your Holiday Menu

​Think about a spread that’ll satisfy a variety of guests. If your party is casual, a mix of finger foods and dessert will likely keep the crowd happy. If you host a formal dinner, you may dig deeper into the main courses and sides. So plan ahead!
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Delegate Tasks

You don’t have to do everything yourself! Have guests bring a dish or dessert, enlist close friends or family for pre-party cleaning, and assign someone to keep the punch bowl full. People love to help, so just ask.
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Decorate Your Space

Make your home merry and bright, but don’t overdo it! We love holiday cheer, but it's not fun to shimmy past an oversized tree just to get to the snacks. Give your guests room to mingle and eat by scaling back your home decor (consider packing up your Nutcracker collection just for the night). Less is more to keeping the party flowing!
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The Holidays Are Just Around the Corner, So Start Now!

Here’s a quick checklist to help break up your party planning tasks. 

Pro tip: Limit your time on Pinterest finding cute DIY wreaths and snowman-shaped finger foods. We think it's a great time to try something new, but remember that simplicity is beautiful, too!

5 Weeks Ahead

• List supplies, decorations, and food 
• Set a party budget
• Choose a theme (if you want to!)

4 Weeks Ahead

• Send out invites: text, email, or mail—your choice!
• Recipe research
• Declutter and deep clean (read more on this below!)
• Plan for overnight guests if needed.

3 Weeks Ahead

• Buy decorations
• Stock up on plates, cups, napkins, and utensils
• Ask guests to help with food
• Make a grocery list 

2 Weeks Ahead

• Confirm your guest list
• Finalize your menu and shopping list
• Prep as many meals and desserts as possible

Read more in our blog post Holiday Baking and Meal Planning.
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1 Week Ahead

• Give your home a final clean 
• Hang any last-minute decorations
• Arrange furniture and seating areas

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Cleaning and Organizing Your Home for a Holiday Party

Now that your checklist is ready let’s focus on prepping your home. 

We all have high expectations for how our homes should look when guests arrive, but let’s keep things manageable. Yes, you might want to clean the baseboards, but moving the couch to do it? Probably not necessary. Your guests aren’t bringing white gloves or peeking into your junk drawer! So, while you’ll need to go beyond a typical Saturday clean, you don’t need to stress over every little detail.

Prioritize cleaning and organizing the right spaces. Think about high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and guest bathrooms. 

Declutter and arrange furniture for easy movement. Remove unnecessary items to create a more open and inviting atmosphere. Shift furniture and decorations to ensure everyone can move comfortably without bumping into things.

Create a welcoming entrance. First impressions matter, so make sure your front door and porch are clean and festive. Halloween’s over, so clear away any lingering cobwebs and add some holiday cheer! Have a tidy spot ready for coats when your guests arrive.

Give your guest bathroom a quick refresh. Stock it with essentials like toilet paper, soap, and fresh hand towels. 
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Prepare for overnight guests. If you’ve got family or friends staying over, set up a cozy space for them. Clean linens are a must, and little touches like travel-sized toiletries or a candy dish go a long way. Don’t forget to leave the Wi-Fi password somewhere easy to find!
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Nashville Home Organizers Can Help!

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by the holiday prep? Whether you need help decluttering, organizing your home, or getting everything in place for your party, Nashville Home Organizers can help. Let us handle the details so you can focus on enjoying the season with family and friends.
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Ready to get started? Contact us today!