Top Tips on Hosting at Christmas From Charlotte Melia
You know it’s going to be a good Christmas when the MD of bespoke party planning company, Dazzle & Fizz, gives you these tips!
Charlotte Melia has hosted parties for years with her company Dazzle and Fizz, and shares her top tips exclusively. In her own words, Charlotte Melia tells us what makes a good Christmas party, who to look out for, and why preparation is key!
“Christmas is hands down my favourite time of year! I love everything about Christmas – the music, the food, the Baileys (with a side of mince pie of course!) I also love the fact that it is the perfect excuse to host a party and invite loved ones who due to busy lives, we can’t see all year round. If like me, you love to play host at Christmas, here are my top 5 tips on how to keep your cool this Chrimbo!
Preparation is key!
The key to any successful event is in the planning. As host, you need time to welcome and interact with your guests. This is impossible if you’re stuck in the kitchen the whole time. Choose catering options that can largely be prepared in advance (a cold buffet is a perfect example, or a one-pot hot meal that can be left quietly simmering on the stove). Allowing you more time to share your festive sparkle with your guests!
Make Your Catering Work for you
If you have a busy household like mine, then you may find yourself with multiple events to host in quick succession. If this is the case, choose catering options that can be adapted for each event. Christmas turkey on Christmas Day? How about turkey curry for Boxing Day? Left over gammon, vegetables and potatoes? Turn these leftovers in to a wholesome pie. It will save you time, money and waste.
Plan Activities and Games That the Whole Family can Enjoy
Christmas parties often include guests of all ages. This can often lead to the 3pm lull (Grandad is asleep, the kids are arguing, your teenage daughter is crying down the phone to her boyfriend, we’ve all been there)! Avoid awkward Christmas party moments by preparing a series of games suitable for all ages. Decorating the Christmas cake with sugar characters, charades, simple card games, a Wii tournament and home karaoke are all activities that can be adapted to suit all age groups.
Pre-make a Christmas Playlist with the Whole Family in Mind
If, like in point 3, you have a range of ages at your Christmas gathering, create a playlist that is appropriate for children (no explicit lyrics) and doesn’t send Granny completely mad by lunchtime at the same time. Traditional Christmas songs are a great choice, as is more commercial pop. Perhaps lay off the hard rap music until New Year’s Eve.
A little Theming Goes a Long way!
Small and simple theming gestures can make the difference between a good event and a magical one. Create 3 signature ‘House’ cocktails to serve to your guests on arrival and give them all festive names. Build anticipation for the event by sending your guests a fun and unique dress code to adhere to. Buy a polaroid camera and encourage guests to take photographs and add them to your Christmas tree as ‘living’ decorations. Whatever you choose, be playful, fun and be bold to explore ideas outside of the norm!”
Check out the Dazzle and fizz online shop at http://www.dazzleandfizz.co.uk, where you can shop by theme and colour, browse ‘Christmas’ to pick your perfect festive partyware. With everything having been carefully curated by our expert stylist, you can recreate the magic at home, without the party planner budget!
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