As much as people love the sentimentality of decorating the Christmas tree, setting up the outdoor lights, and decking the halls with boughs of holly, the actual task of spreading holiday cheer around your home can become a daunting chore. Return this task to a fun, relaxed and enjoyable event by hosting a group of your friends and family to help in the decorating process, and reward them with a holiday celebration and a great kick off to the holiday season.
Invitation
While any heartfelt invitation is appropriate for this holiday party with a purpose, consider creating something fun and kitschy to entice your friends to attend. A personal touch can be added by hand delivering the invitations. A clever idea can be implemented in the following way: Fill a holiday coffee mug with candy canes and chocolate kisses, tuck in a sprig of holiday greenery and hand written invitation to join you for a cup of holiday cheer to start the season right!
Make sure to plan the event very early in the season, before calendars get crowded and while people are still excited to decorate!
Preparation
Before your guests arrive, be sure to have your Christmas tree set up, but not yet decorated. Whether your tree is real or artificial, it’s critical to have this step completed; otherwise your event will be dedicated to merely erected the tree!
Other pre-event preparation should include collecting your boxes of Christmas ornaments, holiday lights, greenery and any other decorations you like. Be sure to get some extra ornament hangers, fresh candy canes for the trees, and some replacement bulbs for your tree lights.
Food and Beverage
Since your friends will be donating several hours of their time to help you, it’s imperative to show your appreciation with some great refreshments! You are only limited by your imagination and your budget, but consider offering a hot beverage such as spiced cider, hot chocolate (stirred with peppermint candy canes) or even hot buttered rum!
Foods that can be snacked on along with your decorating activities are most appropriate. Whether you opt for carry out pizza, mini-sub sandwiches, or mini egg rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauce, just make sure that the food is plentiful and tasty!
Ambience
Build a crackling fire in your fireplace to set the mood for your decorating evening and play your choice of seasonal music, whether that means traditional Christmas carols or a Phil Spector holiday CD.
