Holiday Party Guide
You’re likely to get into the spirit this festive season by hosting or attending a holiday party. No matter if you need a new outfit for a party, or are looking for Christmas decorations to spruce up your space in preparation for hosting an event, shop Kohl’s and find everything you need to deck the halls.
When preparing for any holiday or special event, head to Kohl’s and find all the essentials that will make the occasion even more memorable. From décor to clothing, we have all the items you’re looking for to take the day to a whole new level.
Tips for Hosting a Holiday Party
Having friends and family over to your home for the holidays is a fun tradition, but it can also be a stressful proposition. How do you decide on décor? What food and drink will you serve? How many people should you invite?
Here are some tips to consider when hosting a holiday party.
Start Planning Early
Schedules during the holiday season can fill up very quickly. Therefore, getting your party on the books as soon as possible is a must.
Depending on how formal the event will be, consider sending out invitations of some kind to get your guests the info they need ASAP. Invitations can be physically sent through the mail, or delivered electronically via email or social media. Just be aware that sending physical invitations has attached costs and requires even more prep work to get them done on time.
Select a Theme for the Party
Choosing a cohesive look for your party is key, as this will determine the entire vibe for the event. Perhaps you’re wanting a retro cozy feel, complete with flannel buffalo check patterned throw pillows. Or maybe you want to incorporate a modern take, with clean lines and minimalist touches that make a bold impact.
No matter which theme you decide on, stick with it and find simple, yet effective touches that connect to the theme. But don’t go overboard with lots and lots of decorations. Using too many can overwhelm your space and make it feel cluttered.
Plan Your Budget for Food & Drinks
Tying into your invitations, you’ll need to know how much to budget for delicious food and beverage during the party. With the RSVPs you get back, you can have a good idea of how many attendees will be arriving at the event.
The main thing to remember is that you’ll want to over-plan on food and beverages. It’s better to be safe than sorry and have more to offer your guests than it is to run out just an hour or two into the festivities.
Prepare Food in Advance
The last thing you want to do during your party is to spend it all hovering over the stove! To ensure you’re able to mingle with guests, do food preparation ahead of time if possible. As the party approaches, you can simply reheat your dishes before the festivities begin.
This also works for beverages. Set up your home bar as a self-serve station for guests, or prepare a tasty punch or signature cocktail in a large batch ahead of time. Doing so means you won’t need to assume the role of bartender all night long.
Set the Ambience
Decorations and a theme are just a couple ways to set the tone and atmosphere for your holiday party.
Another way to make the event feel merry and bright is by playing popular Christmas songs during the party. There are plenty of apps and smart speakers you can use to get the tunes playing. Just remember to set the volume of the music at the ideal level; if it’s too soft, no one will be able to hear it – if it’s too loud, it will drown out conversation.
Also, choose songs or playlists that will appeal to your entire guest list. If your group is diverse in musical tastes, mix in some classic Christmas songs from the likes of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra with newer releases from Taylor Swift and Harry Styles.
For even more festive appeal, add in twinkling Christmas lights around your house, hang up traditional stockings on the mantle and place fresh garland around door frames and a wreath on the front door.
Holiday Party Décor Essentials
If you’re preparing to turn your home into a winter wonderland party venue this season, you’re going to want to find decorations that connect to the event.
To start, consider all the sights that guests will enjoy in your home. This is probably the most comprehensive area you’ll be working in, as Christmas visuals are a key part of any holiday décor plan.
For even more visual appeal, decorate other, potentially forgotten areas of your home. This includes adding white Christmas lights and seasonal throw pillows to rec rooms. Use holiday hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom. Place glass bowls of ornaments and treasured holiday family photos through the rooms in your home.
Next, tackle the scents around your home that evoke the feel and traditions of the holiday season. Candles are a must in this category, as you can find plenty of scented options that offer holiday aromas like cinnamon, pine tree, gingerbread, sugar cookies and more. Instead of candles, you can also choose to use diffusers or oil warmers to fill your home with the scents of the season.
Put On Your Holiday Best in Festive Party Clothing
Now that your holiday party planning is complete, it’s time to find the right outfit for the occasion. If you’re hosting the event, you know exactly what level of dress to wear – formal, casual or somewhere in between. But what about attending a party hosted by someone else, or attending a company Christmas party?
Casual Christmas Party Outfit
If the party you’re attending is a laid-back affair, many clothing items are at your disposal. Anything from the traditional Ugly Christmas sweater to a cute seasonal dress are in play. For a can’t-miss holiday party outfit, choose a cozy casual sweater, paired with jeans and heels, boots or flats.
For men, consider a quarter-zip sweater and jeans, matched with casual boots or shoes.
Formal Christmas Party Outfit
If the event you’re attending is elevated and calls for more formal attire, you’ll need to step your style game up.
Women can add some glam to your winter wardrobe with a holiday dress and coordinating heels. Other dress silhouettes to consider are wrap dresses, sequined dresses, an A-line dress or a fit-and-flare dress. Add in some sparkly jewelry and a fashionably functional handbag to really make your look shine.
Guys can kick their holiday look up a notch with a suit or a sport coat. Button-down shirts are always a good bet, too. If it’s chilly outside, you might choose a stylish wool or cashmere sweater on top of a button-down, complete with a tie. Finish off the look with dress shoes or boots.
When the holidays arrive, you want you and your home to look festive and ready for the season. Shop Kohl’s to find all the essentials needed to host a holly, jolly get-together, or to make an impression at a party you’re attending.