How to Host a Stress-Free Party












Tree: Costco similar | Coffee table: Home Sense similar | Champagne Flutes: Chapters similar here and here | Ghost Chairs: similar | Mirror: Vintage similar | Candle holders: Canadian Tire similar | Striped pillow cases: Ikea similar | Dining chairs: Custom Made similar | Dining table: Urban Barn similar

...

Is anyone else in disbelief that Christmas is this weekend? I mean, where does the year go? 

When I started my blog in 2013, I shared my Christmas decor on the blog (see past decor post here) and I want to continue with that tradition again this year. Since this is the first year the hubby and I are both off for the holidays, we decided to host my family's annual Christmas Eve Party at our place. So today, along with my Christmas decor, I'm sharing how to host a stress-free holiday party. 

1. Plan Ahead. With my type A personality, I'm naturally a planner. I find that planning ahead (at least a month in advance) gives you the time you need to figure out what needs to be done in time for the party. Making lists are helpful! 

2. Prepare Over Time. This goes hand in hand with planning ahead. If you do a little each week  leading up the the party, you don't need to stress the days before trying to get everything done. When the day of the party comes, you won't have much to do as everything will have been planned and prepared well in advance. I always like to bake a few goodies throughout the month of December that I freeze and take out when I have people over. 

3. Make it a Potluck. If you're hosting a party, especially for a large group of people, a potluck is always a good option so that you are not left with all the responsibility of food planning and preparation. And who doesn't love a potluck? You end up with an arrangement of food to satisfy every taste bud! Not into the potluck idea? Catering is an alternative, but keep in mind that this can get pretty pricey!

4. Have a few activities planned. Want to actually enjoy the party? Have a few different activities or games planned for guests of all ages to enjoy. I usually have a few kids' movies set up in the basement or toys for them to play with. My filipino family is big on karaoke so we also have that playing in the background of every party. Lastly, having a few games thought up where prizes can be won really puts people into the Christmas spirit! 

I know there are probably a lot more things you can do to keep your holiday party planning stress-free but these are my top 4! Have you hosted a party before? What was it like for you?

Stay tuned for my next post where I share some of my favourite Christmas baking recipes!



83 comments

  1. Gorgeous decorations! I definitely needed this post for my parties to come!

    Briana
    www.beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Briana! I hope your parties ran smoothly <3

      Delete
  2. Your home is so beautiful, Rina! I love the classically elegant look of your decor!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love all of your decoration! I'm not an expert as party host, thank you for sharing these tips!

    http://www.heelsandbeyond.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tabitha! I'm definitely not an expert either =P but trial and error ;)

      Delete
  4. Wow!! Thanks for your tips!! Really helpful! And I also really love your place and the Christmas decoration! Hope you will have a very merry Christmas! Xx Susanne - http://bagatyou.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem Susanne! Thanks for all the kind words!

      Delete
  5. OMG This is stunning!!!!!! I love the entire decor. wow very creative
    www.comfycozyup.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hola!
    Me encanta tu post con tanto detalles tan inspiradores. Un fuerte beso guapa.
    http://meryofstyle.blogspot.com.es/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your home is beautiful! Such great tips! I love the idea of making a plan ahead of time and making it a potluck! So much less stressful!

    Annessa
    www.seekingsunshine.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Annessa! Oh totally! It really eliminates a lot of the stress but not all of it =P

      Delete
  8. These are some amazing tips babe, sounds like you are going to have a fab christmas :) mwah x

    www.fashionjazz.co.za

    ReplyDelete
  9. great ideas! mery xmas!



    little-jay999.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  10. These decorations are gorgeous! Thanks for the tips!

    xo
    www.carinavardie.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow these decorations are giving me major interior inspo! So festive and perfect for the holidays. You've got some great tips on how to host a stress-free party too :) Thanks for sharing! xo, sharon

    http://www.stylelullaby.com/fashion/tis-season-chunky-knits/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Sharon! It means a lot that you've said that xoxo

      Delete
  12. These are wonderful suggestions! I love your decor and tablescape. Beautiful photos!

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your home looks beautiful and will be the perfect place to host the family. Great tips!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

    ReplyDelete
  14. What gorgeous holiday decorations! I love the idea to prepare activities, it makes it go so smoothly!

    Chelsea
    Chow Down USA
    Instagram

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chelsea! It really helps to have a few activities planned!

      Delete
  15. Your decor is just amazing, I love the color scheme and how everything is so cute!

    Camila,
    My Vogue Style | www.myvoguestyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a wonderful photos and nice advices my dear:-) Have a wonderful Christmas :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. christmas pics are wonderfull :)! I following your blog follow back :)?
    www.pembedunyamm.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I feel you, Rina, time is flying by so fast. Bevor we know it, 2017 is here and we are heading for summer. Love your elegant home, you have done a great job on the decoration, it's all so beautiful. I am a big fan of white myself. Have the merriest Christmas and the happiest holidays, Rina. God bless.
    xox
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really flew by! New Years is this weekend! Thank you so much Lenya! God Bless to you and your family too!

      Delete
  19. Amazing photo and decor!! I love your tree and all the gold accents. Def pinning this one.

    ~ xo Sheree
    Posh Classy Mom
    Instagram

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sheree! I am such a lover of gold and white <3

      Delete
  20. Beautiful table and settings! Great tips!

    http://violettedaily.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great tips, your home looks absolutely beautiful! I agree though, how is it Christmas already?! Time has just flown by xx

    http://www.thatnewdress.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Super beautiful!!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: ONLINE SHOPPING & CHAI TEA...
    DON'T MISS: XMAS MAKE UP & BEAUTY

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh yes!!!
    Love your decorations!

    Federica Di Nardo
    http://federicadinardo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great tips! And such lovely pictures.

    http://styleonheels.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a gorgeous home!! So pretty with the Christmas decoration in white and gold, love that theme. I went for red and gold this year which I'm so far is pretty happy with. And great ideas on having a stress-free party, I've been preparing the whole week so I think I'm good to go as for now. Even though I do always feel stressed as there are so many layers to Christmas. Everything from buying gifts, food, cooking and decorating etc!

    Babe, have a lovely Christmas! Xx
    www.thefashionfolks.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you love! My overall house color scheme is white and gold so I kept is going for Christmas too! Next year I think I want to switch it up a lil and definitely want to flock my tree!

      Delete
  26. Wow, looks amazing) Have great weekend)
    http://beyoutiful.com.ua

    ReplyDelete
  27. I needed this, thanks for sharing, hope you enjoy your party

    http://myeternalsymphony.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love the way you decorated your home! Seriously obsessed! These are great tips and ideas for hosting a holiday party!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. These are some awesome ideas

    Aly In Wanderland | <3 | New Post

    ReplyDelete
  30. There can be no stress in such lovely place :-) Merry Christmass my dear :-) Kisses
    Katharine-fashionisbeautiful

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe there can be when you're a stress ball =P Hope you had a lovely Christmas!

      Delete
  31. Planning ahead is always a good idea! Great tips dear.
    The Fancy Cats

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous decor! Loving the Christmas vibes! <3
    Trend-Mae

    ReplyDelete
  33. I couldn't agree more with number one and number three! Great post lady and happy holidays!

    ❤︎
    Dakota D.
    http://fannypacksandvisors.com
    Instagram/Snapchat/Twitter: @missdsquared413

    ReplyDelete
  34. Those tips are amazing. I can't stop looking at those photos. The decor is simply amazing.

    www.mydailywear.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  35. Such good tips! And omg your house is amazing!!! And the photos!!! These are seriously photos that need to go on home decor magazine covers!!! Way to go Rina on this post.. gave me warm and fuzzies just seeing the pics and reading! I'm in an apartment now but likely going to move into our first house next year. You should do a post on home decor or organization tips!! I think you would be great at That!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jessica! That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said<3 Thanks for the requests! I'll definitely keep those ideas in mind for 2017 posts!

      Delete
  36. Thanks babe! Did you end up hosting this year babe?

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've never hosted a party before, but your home and decorations are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete

© and she Dressed...

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services - Click here for information.

Professional Blog Designs by pipdig