Christmas is coming upon faster than many of us would prefer, and unfortunately, time isn’t slowing down any time soon. That means it’s time to start planning your holiday events. To do so in a stress free way, we’ve compiled a quick checklist/countdown for you to make sure you’ve taken care of everything before party time. These, along with other helpful tips, can help ensure you don’t overbook yourself or become overwhelmed with your workload.
8 Weeks Out: Secure the Venue
This will be one of your first holiday party decisions‚ finding somewhere to host it. You can, of course, secure this earlier than eight weeks in advance, but the sooner you do this, the better, so you aren’t left scrambling at the last minute.
7 Weeks Out: Hire a Caterer
Next, hire a caterer. You can work out the exact menu a bit later, but now is a good time to discuss your ideas, the caterer’s availability and skill set, and how you want the event to be served (buffet, plated courses, etc). Make sure the caterer you choose can handle the amount of people on your guest list, as well.
6 Weeks Out: Plan the Table Décor
Decide what you want your tablescapes to look like, then contact linen vendors to reserve the type of products you want, including tablecloths, napkins, chair accessories, table runners, napkin rings, and more. Getting things planned early and well in advance can take a lot of the stress out of planning an event.
5 Weeks Out: Send Invitations
Holiday schedules are tight, so send out the invitations now before everyone’s already booked. Make sure to include when they need to RSVP by so that you can work out a finalized guest list.
4 Weeks Out: Plan and Finalize the Menu
Meet with the caterer to plan menu, finalizing the number of guests you are expecting ‚Äö√Ñ√¨ it’s ok if you have a few extra plates in the end, that’s a whole lot better than having too few.
3 Weeks Out: Shop for Anything the Event Needs
Shop for any other décor you need, including signage, lights or candles, and anything else you can think of that you’ll need for the event, such as party favors or stemware.
2 Weeks Out: Confirm Guest List
Finalize the guest list and confirm your numbers. This will make setting up the party much easier. It also means you’ll have time to create place cards.
Week of the Party: Set Everything Up so Party Prep is Easy
Gather everything you need, including vendor phone numbers just in case, and prepare for the party. Having everything in one place will make party day a breeze for you.
Day of the Party: Set Up and Make Sure Everything Goes According to Plan
The day of the party, simply set everything up according to the event’s blueprints and get ready to enjoy the party with your guests.
