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Holiday Party Prep in 1 Month
Kudos for giving yourself plenty of time to prepare. Here's what to do with it, from planning to cleaning to decorating
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Is it your turn to host the family’s annual Christmas Eve gala? Or are you planning an intimate New Year’s dinner for a handful of friends? Whatever the event, a month of lead time gives you plenty of leeway. You’ll have ample time to …
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Create a schedule. This far out you have the luxury of debating over every detail. Work backward from the day of the party or the big holiday meal, and set up a checklist that includes every task that needs to be completed, right down to lighting the fire and turning on the music.
Tackle touch-ups around the house. Scan your surroundings for scuffed paint, busted porch lights, fraying rugs and other signs of wear and tear. Either fix them yourself or call in professional help. Don’t get too ambitious (this isn’t the time to remodel the powder room), but hosting a get-together gives you a great reason to tackle the small jobs that seem to pile up.
Tackle touch-ups around the house. Scan your surroundings for scuffed paint, busted porch lights, fraying rugs and other signs of wear and tear. Either fix them yourself or call in professional help. Don’t get too ambitious (this isn’t the time to remodel the powder room), but hosting a get-together gives you a great reason to tackle the small jobs that seem to pile up.
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Choose a theme and collect decorations to match. Whether it’s a Thanksgiving family feast, a Hanukkah celebration or a Christmas cocktail bash, a theme can give your gathering extra energy and help guests get into the spirit. Keep an eye out for appropriate decorations and order any specialty items you can’t find around town.
Print and mail invitations. If you’ll be sending paper invitations, now’s the time to start on them. Buy printable versions from a local stationer, pick up a fill-in-the-blank style or order custom invitations from an online retailer such as Tiny Prints, Paperstyle or Etsy. Whichever route you choose, mail them two to three weeks before the party so guests have ample time to plan and respond.
Print and mail invitations. If you’ll be sending paper invitations, now’s the time to start on them. Buy printable versions from a local stationer, pick up a fill-in-the-blank style or order custom invitations from an online retailer such as Tiny Prints, Paperstyle or Etsy. Whichever route you choose, mail them two to three weeks before the party so guests have ample time to plan and respond.
Experiment with menu items or hire a caterer. If you plan to take charge of the cooking, lay out the menu, then do a test run for any dishes you've never tried or aren't confident making, such as a finicky soufflé or an unfamiliar cut of meat. If you'd rather delegate food preparation to a caterer, get on the phone or web as soon as you can — most of them book up fast during holiday season. Striking out? Ask a local culinary school if any of their more advanced students might be right for the job.
Decide on a signature cocktail or two. Browse recipe books and food sites for intriguing cocktails that go well with the occasion. Try a few, then choose the ones you like best and buy any special ingredients or barware you’ll need. You'll also have time to make flavored simple syrups, fun garnishes and other festive fixings.
Decide on a signature cocktail or two. Browse recipe books and food sites for intriguing cocktails that go well with the occasion. Try a few, then choose the ones you like best and buy any special ingredients or barware you’ll need. You'll also have time to make flavored simple syrups, fun garnishes and other festive fixings.
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Rent or buy extra chairs and tables if necessary. Expecting a crowd? Arrange for additional furniture from a party rental company, such as bamboo caterer's chairs and tables in the appropriate sizes. Most companies can also supply linens, dishes, flatware and other necessities.
If you entertain often, it may be worth buying a supply of folding or stackable chairs and tables that you can pull out at a moment's notice.
Clean at your leisure. In addition to your daily or weekly housekeeping routine, you can take care of odd tasks a few at a time, such as cleaning the oven, scrubbing tile grout or dusting ceiling fans.
If you entertain often, it may be worth buying a supply of folding or stackable chairs and tables that you can pull out at a moment's notice.
Clean at your leisure. In addition to your daily or weekly housekeeping routine, you can take care of odd tasks a few at a time, such as cleaning the oven, scrubbing tile grout or dusting ceiling fans.
Ideabook published on Oct. 25, 2012.
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