Top tips for a stress-free DIY Christmas party
Christmas is just around the corner, and it’s time to gear ourselves up to plan and host memorable Christmas parties for our loved ones. As an event planner, I see (and hear) many interesting DIY stories about Christmas party planning. Although doing DIY can be fun, adds a personal touch and saves money, it's essential to avoid common mistakes that can lead to stress, woes and disappointment.
Here are 5 mistakes I frequently come across when people attempt to DIY everything for their Christmas parties, with my tips on how to overcome them and make this year a stress-free Christmas party!
1. Underestimating the Workload
All the planning really adds up (especially if you work full-time and have a lot of family commitments)! This includes searching for inspiration and ideas, sourcing and travelling for items to putting everything together in the lead up to, and on the day. It is very easy to underestimate the time and effort required to plan and execute a DIY Christmas party fully.
Tip: Start planning early, create a detailed checklist, and allocate a lot of time for each task. Be realistic - if you have events, commitments and gatherings in your schedule, assign less tasks in that time period.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your friends and/or family members to share the workload!
2. Overambitious Decorations
With lots of elaborate Christmas decorations on social media, it is hard not to go overboard with DIY decorations. It can become stressful very quickly, leading to frustration and exhaustion.
Tip: Choose a clear theme from the very beginning, and focus on a few key areas for elaborate decorations. Keep it manageable by selecting projects that match your skills and available time.
Tip: Once you are set with your decorations, stop looking for more inspiration on social media and online!
3. Neglecting Guest Comfort
We can get so worked up in food planning and arranging Christmas decorations, that we can forget to think in our guests’ shoes and consider comfort and practicality. Guests end up feeling uneasy and not enjoying their time at your Christmas party, putting a damper into the Christmas cheer.
Tip: Prioritise guest comfort by providing lots of seating, maintaining a comfortable temperature, and making sure there is space for guests to move around and mingle. Decorations should enhance the Christmas vibe - not be in the way of guests.
4. Lack of Food Planning
One of the things guests remember from a Christmas party is food. The thought of preparing a lavish holiday feast (like in the movies) can be overwhelming (especially if you want to make all the dishes visually-appealing).
Tip: Plan your Christmas menu from the very beginning - consider your guest numbers, who you are inviting and their dietary requirements.
Tip: Prepare your Christmas food shopping and preparation in advance (this includes ordering large meat with your local deli and butchers as they can be out of stock very quickly, especially the week before Christmas).
5. Forgetting About Entertainment
Entertainment is one of the last things in our minds when preparing for a Christmas party, when we are worked up with food menu planning and decorations. Focusing on decorations and food can leave guests bored and disengaged.
Tip: Plan entertainment and activities to keep guests entertained. This can include games, having a Christmas music playlist, or a movie screening. Having entertainment is also what will make your party memorable.
While DIYing aspects of your Christmas party can be fulfilling and budget-friendly, it's important to plan thoroughly, set realistic expectations, and consider seeking help or advice from experienced event planners or DIY enthusiasts if you are time-poor with back-to-back commitments. Remember that Christmas parties create cherished memories for you and your guests, so don't let the stress of DIY perfection detract from the Christmas cheer.
Final tip! Plan ahead, stay organised, and seek help when needed to ensure a festive and stress-free Christmas celebration.
If you don’t have time to plan a memorable Christmas party this year, why not contact me below and we can create a seamless, relaxing Christmas party for you and your guests!