Christmas Party Planning
Is it a formal Christmas party or a casual one? Is it for the office or family and friends? The guest list will help determine what sort of activities might be included; and in the case of kids being invited should be to keep them occupied and cheery.
Williams-Sonoma Holiday Entertaining
However, if it's a social gathering at your house, then there are the invitations that need to be sent (and RSVP'd), the supplies and gifts to be bought to accommodate the expected guests, and the decorations to make the chosen space sparkle with holiday spirit.
A Christmas party can be simple, but it can also be a rather involved affair. One thing's for certain, no matter the size or cost, it's always a good idea to start with a list and like Santa, to check it twice. Better be safe than sorry, so that you too can enjoy the Christmas party and all the fun it brings.
Helpful Resources for Holiday Entertaining
White Christmas: Decorating and Entertaining for the Holiday Season
Release Date: 10/15/1997
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009) 
List Price: $22.95
Williams-Sonoma The Best of Kitchen Library: Holiday Favorites (The Best of the Kitchen Library)
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Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
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The Pastry Queen Christmas: Big-hearted Holiday Entertaining, Texas Style
Release Date: 10/01/2007
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Amazon Price: $21.45 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $32.50
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Happy Holidays from the Diva of Do-Ahead: A Year of Feasts to Celebrate with Family and Friends
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Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $14.95
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Easy Entertaining for Beginners: You Can Throw a Fabulous Party, from Holiday Fiesta to a Romantic Evening for Two
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Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/13/2009)
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Christmas Decoration for the Home and the Heart
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Very few things are capable of holding and keeping more memories than a Christmas decoration. Over the years, your Christmas tree becomes a scrapbook of sorts as new ornaments that celebrate life stages and events are added. Fortunately, t...
Do You Love or Hate the Workplace Christmas Party?
One Dozen
(12) Christmas Holiday Rubber Ducky Party Favors
Well, if your answer to either of these questions is in the negative, don't give up hope just yet. A fun office Christmas party is possible, even if those in charge are determined to make it as predictable as possible. Indeed, there's always a silver lining and at Christmastime, one that's also red, green, and gold.
A positive way to make the most of the workplace tradition is to offer to help. While it might seem counterproductive to do so, it can actually make it more fun.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Board Game
One thing that is always frustrating is to see a project fail when you know you could have done a better job. If so, then definitely volunteer your time and brain power and help turn the "dreaded" Christmas party into the "can't-wait" Christmas party. Think about it; if you're on the planning committee, you might also manage to get that Secret Santa tradition ousted altogether.
Christmas party games that usually never fail to get all in a festive mood include a costume contest, a trivia contest (like about Christmas movies), and the same stocking stuffer given to every employee company-wide. That's always better than a Secret Santa!
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Christmas Light Displays for the Tree, Home, and Yard!
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When it comes to setting up a Christmas light display, you'll want to take some time to think about what suits your personal taste. Some of us love to go all out, get flamboyant and wild! We want Christmas lights on every tree and s...
Play These Fun Christmas Party Games!
Santa's Special Delivery Game
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas Game by University Games
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Christmas In A Box
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $24.99
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Neca Nightmare Before Christmas Board Game
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $29.99
A Christmas Story Monopoly
Release Date: 07/25/2007
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $39.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
How to Play Host to Your Own Christmas Party
Being organized will help answer questions before they're asked, helping you stay one step ahead. The worst thing that could happen to any party planner is to fall behind. So, set your date.
A good host always finds a date that will work best for everyone, taking into consideration school, work, and personal plans. Make sure to invite guests at least a month in advance if possible, to give them a chance to plan for your Christmas party with their schedules.
Once the guest list is set and confirmed, then comes the other myriad decisions. Is your party going to have a theme? Will there be dancing? Is it more a social affair or will there be a sit-down dinner?
Will the event be catered or is the party small enough that you can cook yourself? Is it a potluck with each guest bringing their own specialty? Decisions, decisions. But, as a good host, it's up to you to make them so that everyone knows what they are to do.
Let's say your Christmas party is a relatively small affair with 15 guests. You've decided to cook the dinner yourself and the venue will be your home. Great. Now all that needs to be decided are the seating arrangements, the decorations, the holiday games, and the party favors to take home.
That's right, party favors. Don't underestimate the impression an adorable party favor can leave. While such gifts used to be exclusive to weddings and showers, they've become common to all kinds of parties.
A Christmas party (and especially a party of 15 or so guests) is the perfect excuse to give them. Visit any party-favor site and you'll find a wealth of favor ideas. From the cute and elegant to the charming and practical, these favors are a wonderful accent and Christmas, the perfect season.
More Christmas Party Accessories You May Need:
Waterford Crystal 12 Days of Christmas Flute, 3rd Edition Three French Hens
Release Date: 08/31/2007
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Amazon Price: $35.43 (as of 07/13/2009)
List Price: $85.00
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Sure Fit Cotton Duck Long Dining Room Chair Slipcover - Claret
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Amazon Price: $14.98 (as of 07/13/2009)
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Pfaltzgraff Winterwood Sled Tray w/Server
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Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
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6 Solar Floating Swimming Pool Party Lights 5-1/2 Inch
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Best Toys for Toddlers
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UPDATE: The WaterWheel Play Table is poised to be the #1 Holiday seller this year for boys and girls of the toddler age group. And word is, they'll be hard to find locally - so order online now! Toys for toddlers are easy to find, but as a parent, y...
News From the Christmas Party Planning Circuit!
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Artificial Christmas Tree Owners on the Rise!
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You may remember your parents or grandparents having an artificial Christmas tree that looked about as real as the old-fashioned flowers did. Can you say ugly? A lot has changed in recent years, though. Today's artificial Christmas t...
If You Liked This Christmas Party Planning Lens, Try These Lenses:
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Christmas (), also referred to as Christmas Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.Christmas, Merriam-Webster. Retrieved October 6, 2008."Christmas," MSN Encarta. Retrieved October 6, 2008."Christmas", The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913. The day marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days. The nativity of Jesus, which is the basis for the anno Domini system of dating, is thought to have occurred between 7 and 2 BC.Smith, Mark D. "Of Jesus and Quirinius." Catholic Biblical Quarterly; Apr2000, Vol. 62 Issue 2, pp292-293.Pearson, Brook W. R. "The Lucan Censuses, Revisited." Catholic Biblical Quarterly; Apr99, Vol. 61 Issue 2, p282. December 25 is not known to be Jesus' actual date of birth, and the date may have been chosen to correspond with either a Roman festival"Christmas", EncartaRoll, Susan K., Toward the Origins of Christmas, (Peeters Publishers, 1995), p.130.Tighe, William J., "Calculating Christmas". or the winter solstice.Newton, Isaac, Observations on the Prophecies of Daniel, and the Apocalypse of St. John (1733). Ch. XI.A sun connection is possible because Christians consider Jesus to be the "sun of righteousness" prophesied in Malachi 4:2.
Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, Church celebrations, and the display of various decorations?including the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. Santa Claus (also referred to as Father Christmas, although the two figures have different origins) is a popular mythological figure often associated with bringing gifts at Christmas for children. Santa is generally believed to be the result of a syncretization between Saint Nicholas and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology, and his modern appearance is believed to have originated in 19th century media.
Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. Because gift-giving and several other aspects of the holiday involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, Christmas has become a major event for many retailers.
What Kind of Christmas Party Are You Planning?
Click here to view the full list of Christmas Party planning resources!
Brandon nelson wrote
i am planing a party for my mom and dad and i hope that they like the ideas that i pulled from this site
Posted December 09, 2007
