Plan a holiday party that feels festive and fun — from sending invitations early and planning the menu to decorations, activities, music, bar setup, and managing the logistics of coats and parking.
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Guest List and Invitations
Finalize the guest list early
Holiday calendars fill up fast starting mid-November. Decide on your guest count based on your space — 15-20 square feet per person for a standing cocktail party, 25-30 for a seated dinner.
Send invitations 3-4 weeks ahead
For December parties, send by mid-November. People juggle 4-6 holiday events in December, so early invites win. Mention the dress code, start/end time, and whether to bring anything.
Set up an RSVP deadline and follow up
Set the deadline 10 days before the party. Follow up individually with non-responders — a quick text gets 80% of holdouts to commit within 24 hours. You need the final count for food ordering.
Decide if kids are invited and communicate clearly
State it on the invitation either way — "Adults only" or "Kids welcome" prevents awkward assumptions. If kids are coming, set up a separate activity area with a movie or coloring supplies.
Menu Planning
Choose a food format: sit-down, buffet, or appetizers
Appetizer parties are the easiest to host for groups over 15 — guests graze for 3-4 hours and you avoid the logistics of seating everyone. Plan 8-10 pieces per person per hour for heavy appetizers.
Plan the menu with a mix of hot and cold items
Aim for 5-7 food options: 2-3 cold (cheese board, crudites, shrimp cocktail) and 2-3 hot (meatballs, stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta). One dessert option plus cookies rounds it out. Budget $15-$25 per person.
Select cold appetizers and platters
Choose hot items you can prep ahead
Plan desserts — cookies, pie, or a dessert bar
Prep as much food as possible 1-2 days ahead
Dips, marinades, cookie dough, and cold salads can all be made in advance. Day-of cooking should be limited to reheating and assembling. Make a prep timeline working backward from your party start time.
Account for dietary restrictions from RSVPs
At any gathering of 20+, expect 3-5 people with restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free). Label all food items on small cards — it saves guests from having to ask and prevents allergic reactions.
Decorations
Decorate the main gathering areas
Focus on the entryway, living room, and food/drink area. A wreath on the door, candles on surfaces, and a centerpiece on the food table are enough. Budget $30-$60 total for a home party; reuse items year after year.
Entry wreath or door decoration
Table centerpiece and candles
String lights in the main gathering room
Set the table or food display area
Use tiered trays or stacked boxes under a tablecloth to add height to a buffet — it makes the spread look abundant and helps guests reach items in the back. Cloth napkins cost $15 for a set of 12 and elevate the whole look.
Add seasonal scents to the house
Simmer cinnamon sticks, orange peel, and cloves in water on the stove for a natural holiday scent that costs under $5. Start it 30 minutes before guests arrive. Avoid competing scents from candles in different rooms.
Bar and Drinks Setup
Set up a self-serve drink station
Place all drinks, mixers, ice, and glassware in one area — kitchen counter or a side table works. Guests will spend 40% of the party near the drinks, so put it in a spot with good traffic flow.
Stock the bar based on guest count
For a 3-4 hour party: 1 bottle of wine per 3 guests, 2-3 beers per beer drinker, and a batch cocktail that serves 8-10 per pitcher. Buy 20% more than you calculate — leftover alcohol keeps, running out doesn't.
Buy 1.5 lbs of ice per guest — some for drinks, some for keeping things cold. Pre-slice citrus garnishes the morning of. Have a bottle opener, corkscrew, and cocktail napkins at the bar before the first guest arrives.
Activities and Music
Create a holiday music playlist
A 4-hour playlist with a mix of classic and modern holiday songs keeps the mood festive. Start with mellow background music during arrival, then shift to upbeat songs as the energy builds. Keep the volume conversational.
Plan 1-2 optional group activities
A white elephant gift exchange ($15-$20 limit), holiday trivia, or a cookie decorating station gives people something to do beyond mingling. Keep activities optional — forcing participation kills the mood at an adult party.
Set up a photo spot with props
A corner with string lights, a few holiday props (Santa hat, reindeer antlers, a festive sign), and good lighting gets used all night. It costs under $20 and gives guests shareable content they'll tag you in.
Logistics and Cleanup
Plan for coats, bags, and shoes
Winter parties mean heavy coats — dedicate a bedroom or a rolling rack ($15-$25) to coat storage. If you want a shoes-off policy, communicate it on the invitation and place a shoe rack or mat by the door.
Arrange parking for guests
Include parking instructions with the invitation. If street parking is limited, suggest ride-sharing or offer to arrange a carpool. For apartment buildings, check if guest parking passes are available.
Set up trash and recycling stations
Place a clearly labeled recycling bin next to the trash can in the kitchen and near the bar. Empty both when they hit 75% full — overflowing trash is the fastest way to make a clean party feel messy.
Plan post-party cleanup
Put out a clean trash bag, fill the sink with soapy water, and wipe down surfaces before bed — 20 minutes of cleanup the night of saves an hour the next morning. Recruit 1-2 close friends to help with the heavy lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to host a holiday party at home?
A home holiday party for 20 guests typically costs $300-$600, broken down as $150-$250 for food and drinks, $50-$100 for decorations, and $50-$100 for supplies like plates, napkins, and ice. Batch cocktails and potluck contributions from guests can cut your food budget by 40%. If you hire a bartender, add $150-$250 for a 4-hour event.
How far in advance should I plan a holiday party?
Start planning 6-8 weeks before the party date, especially for December events when calendars fill quickly. Send invitations by mid-November for December parties — about 30% of guests will have conflicts if you wait until December to invite them. Book any rentals (tables, chairs, coat racks) at least 3 weeks out since holiday inventory goes fast.
What is the best day of the week to host a holiday party?
Saturday evenings between 6-10 PM get the highest attendance rates for holiday gatherings. Friday nights work well for casual, after-work style parties but expect 15-20% of guests to cancel due to fatigue. Avoid the weekends of December 23-24 and December 30-31, as those are peak family travel dates with the lowest RSVP rates.
How much food and drink do I need per guest at a holiday party?
Plan for 8-10 appetizer pieces per person for a 3-4 hour party, or 12-15 pieces if appetizers are the only food. For drinks, budget 2 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per hour after that. A group of 20 typically goes through 6-7 bottles of wine, 24-30 beers, and 2 batches of a signature cocktail.
Do I need to provide non-alcoholic drinks at a holiday party?
Yes — roughly 30% of adults at any given party will skip alcohol, whether they are driving, pregnant, or simply prefer not to drink. Stock sparkling water, a festive mocktail (cranberry spritzer or apple cider punch), and coffee or hot chocolate. Non-alcoholic options should be equally visible and accessible as the bar, not tucked in a corner.