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

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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!



84 comments

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

    Briana
    www.beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com

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

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

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  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/

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

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  4. I LOVE YOUR PLACE SO FESTIVE! I really do love this decorations and your tips are amazing. Every year we raffle to do the next Christmas party and if it is my family, I will refer to your tips and decorations too.

    XOXO - Thee Lovingrose

    New Post: http://www.theelovingrose.com/2016/12/holiday-eye-look.html

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    Replies
    1. Thanks babe! Did you end up hosting this year babe?

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  5. 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

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

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

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

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  8. 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

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

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

    www.fashionjazz.co.za

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  10. great ideas! mery xmas!



    little-jay999.blogspot.co.uk

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  11. These decorations are gorgeous! Thanks for the tips!

    xo
    www.carinavardie.com

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  12. 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/

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

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

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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

    Chelsea
    Chow Down USA
    Instagram

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

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

    Camila,
    My Vogue Style | www.myvoguestyle.com

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

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

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  19. 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


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

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

    ~ xo Sheree
    Posh Classy Mom
    Instagram

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

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  21. Beautiful table and settings! Great tips!

    http://violettedaily.com

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  22. 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

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

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  24. Oh yes!!!
    Love your decorations!

    Federica Di Nardo
    http://federicadinardo.com

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  25. Great tips! And such lovely pictures.

    http://styleonheels.com/

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  26. 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

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    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!

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

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

    http://myeternalsymphony.com

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

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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  30. These are some awesome ideas

    Aly In Wanderland | <3 | New Post

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

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

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

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

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  34. 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

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

    www.mydailywear.co.uk

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  36. 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!!

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    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!

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

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