Entertaining during the year-end festive season can be a stressful time, but with the right ideas you’ll soon be throwing a Christmas party your guests will be talking about for months. So spend some time brainstorming, make a list (and check it twice) and get ready to be the talk of the town with these Christmas party-planning tips.
1. Keep it simple
It’s tempting to want to go overboard and show your guests what a good cook you are and that you’re able to cater to everyone’s dietary needs. But there’s no need to serve a twelve-course meal – it’s more about having enough food for your guests, rather than whipping out a huge variety with only a few bites of each dish available. Decide ahead if you want to serve a full meal or a light one (just make sure you mention this on your invites so your guests know what to expect) and stick to dishes you’re already comfortable cooking – it’s definitely not the time to experiment with a new recipe. While the meal is an important part of the party, it’s not the be-all end-all – you certainly don’t want to exhaust yourself so much preparing it that you don’t even have the energy to enjoy yourself. And if your home doesn’t have enough space to accommodate many guests at a dining table, serve a buffet-style meal – it gives everyone a chance to mingle more, too.
2. Hire a private chef
So you want to host your party at home but don’t have the time or the culinary inclination to cook the feast? Then impress your guests by hiring a private chef. Chef de Maison provides bespoke private chef services to help you create an exquisite dining experience in your home. Book the home chef service and a team of professional chefs will prepare a delicious meal at your house and handle everything from table setting and serving to cleaning up afterwards. Wine-pairing and bartending services are also available upon request. If you prefer throwing dedicated cocktail parties, Chef de Maison provides a mobile bar service, where bartenders can craft a special cocktail just for your bash – that’s certainly one way to make your shindig a memorable one.
3. Dress up your home
For that festive vibe, get a Christmas tree and decorate it to your taste. Choose a colour theme for the ornaments around your home and on your table, or go with a few statement pieces that’ll get your guests talking. Don’t forget the outside of your house – put some lights on in the front area or go with something simple like a Christmas garland on your front door. You’ll make a good impression as soon as your guests arrive.
4. Hold it at a restaurant
You might not want to go through the hassle of holding a party in your home, or perhaps you have too many friends and are overwhelmed by the idea of having them all over at once. Why not invite everyone to a party at a restaurant instead? Let the holiday feasting begin at Ginett Restaurant & Wine Bar, where you’ll have a memorable dining experience with its special Festive Group Menu. Dine on a spread of Christmas favourites such as turkey roulade, log cake and peppermint chocolate truffle, as well as the restaurant’s signature dishes – charcoal-grilled steaks and a metre-long board of cold cuts and French cheese. The Festive Group Menu is available for party sizes of 10 and above and is priced at $68++ per head. Reservations must be made three days in advance.
5. Don’t forget the party games
A successful party involves more than just eating and drinking. Keep your guests entertained with activities and games. You could organise a gift exchange in advance, or play timeless party favourites like charades and Pictionary. Know in advance what your friends enjoy so you can plan the party games accordingly.
6. Give your guests a souvenir
Party favours aren’t just for weddings and kids’ birthday parties – you can give them out at your Christmas party, too. Choose something your guests will actually use so that they’ll remember you and your party every time they look at it. You could stick to the festive theme and gift them Christmas ornaments or perhaps a gorgeous bauble they could display in their homes all year round. If you’re a talented baker, consider making cookies and packaging them festively for each of your guests. They’ll think of the good time they had when they eat them later.
SEE ALSO: 7 unique log cakes to try in Singapore this Christmas
