Hosting a successful Christmas / Holiday party where you cater it yourself, has some VERY important things that everyone needs to pay attention to.. Here is some hints and tips that will make those seasonal parties a complete success..

#1 Good Food

Seems like common sense, naturally you will want to provide good food — but what does that mean? For starters, you NEVER EVER want to try new recipes that you’ve downloaded off the internet, tried to make, and hope they work. This is not a time to try new things incase they don’t work. If you want to try something new, make it days in advance. Feed your family, friends, and yourself, and taste it well ahead of time. If you’re happy with how it came out, only then, should you put it on the “menu” for the Christmas party or holiday event.

There is nothing worse than someone who has a great idea, buys all the groceries to produce something they think will work, and having it become a complete flop at a party when things go wrong. Don’t risk the embarassment of trying something new at the last minute. Any new recipe, whether it is an appetizer, a main course, or even a snack, which needs some getting use to.. is a definate NO NO, when you have a large gathering of people coming to test it.

If you want to try something new, make it a week or two in advance. Eat it yourself. Serve it to your immediate friends and family. Get their opinion. Be sure that you have the preparation method completely down pat, and fully understand how long it takes, how long the item “holds” under heat lamps, or in the oven etc.

If you are hosting a Christmas or Holiday office party.. Now is NOT the time to play around and experiment, because there is a huge chance things may not go as planned.

Pre-test, and pre-sample everything way ahead of time, so you’re definately sure that come the Christmas party or event, things will work out perfectly.

#2 Mixes — Soda pop and more

If you are running a Christmas / Office party or event, you definately want to have enough mixes on hand. Everyone can bring in their own beer, or alcohol beverage, but many will depend on you having the mixes available. If you buy a couple gallons (2L) of coke, and a couple gallons of Diet Coke (2L) and hoping that it will be “enough”. You are doing your guests an unjustice. This stuff, as long as it is not opened, DOES NOT SPOIL EASILY.. So it makes sense to have extra on hand — “more than you need”… after the Christmas / Holiday office party is over — the extra remaining is still useful. It is a lot better to have double what you need, than to have “not enough” when it comes to mixes… Most people will bring a bottle, but they kind of assume you’ll have enough Coke and Diet Coke on hand.. so buy double what you think you will need.

#3 – SNACKS

Now most of you will have a dinner, or some major appetizers available. But there are many who are expecting (and wanting nothing more than) some snacks. Potato chips, pretzels, a party mix. Again, this stuff is relatively cheap. Stock up on it. Usually it comes in vaccuum sealed bags, and has a shelf life of 6 months or more, so why skimp now? Having plenty of snacks that can be ripped open “on hand” will show that you’re prepared, and will make the night go by that much more smoothly.

#4 – ENTERTAINMENT / MUSIC

Some thought has to be put into this.. Nothing worse than a bunch of people grouped together, and very little thought has been spent into the entertainment / music aspect. Have your stereo ready, willing and able to put out the tunes to keep people hopping. Do you have your CD’s, DVD’s and MP3′s on the ready? Nothing worse than dead silence in the middle of the night when someone is fooling around with the stereo. People that attend your Christmas / Holiday office party want fun. They want the music to take care of itself, and to be predominate. Don’t forget extra special attention on this point.

#5 – Washrooms and toilet paper.

I can’t begin to tell you the amount of Christmas / Office Holiday Parties I’ve been to, where the washroom becomes the after thought. It is vitally important that your washroom is fully stocked, and has a spare roll, ready to be used, so that no one has to come up to you and ask you for assistance in this area. This is one of the most last-thought of logistics of any Christmas or office holiday party, but I feel it is one of the most important. Pay special attention here.. most people treat it like an after-thought.

#6 – Parking. If you are expecting a lot of people to attend, one of the easiest things you can do is move your vehicle up the street so that the true guests and park without worry.

#7 – GET HELP or VOLUNTEERS

While you’re completely busy trying to put this Christmas / Holiday office party togther, always remember, that there is someone who is ready, willing and able, to try and help out. In this case, let them try.

With these tips and pointers, I do not doubt that your holiday / oiffice Christmas will be a success…