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Originally Posted On: https://thebarlow.net/blogs/press/7-holiday-party-essentials-that-belong-at-every-occasion

 

Did you know that parties can actually benefit your health? Socializing has several potential health benefits, including stress reduction, immune improvement, and positive neurological effects.

However, there’s nothing worse than hosting a party and dashing around at the last minute trying to figure out what you need to make it a success. That’s a downright recipe for stress and something we want to avoid at all costs.

Instead, keep reading to find out the top 7 holiday party essentials that belong at every occasion, and achieve stress-free host status this season.

1. A HOLIDAY PARTY SPREAD

Let’s be honest. One of the things that makes the holidays so special is all the great food.

No matter what type of party you’re hosting, you should always plan to put out some tempting snacks.

If you’re hosting a full-on dinner party, you should give everyone some time to mingle and chat before serving the meal. During this time, having some snack platters on hand is the perfect way to warm up everyone’s appetites.

On the other hand, if you’re not serving a meal, then a snack selection is doubly important.

Creating a holiday party spread doesn’t have to be a lot of work if you do it right.

For an effortless yet classy holiday party spread, we would recommend starting with a charcuterie board. All you have to do is pick up some nice cheeses, cold meats, crackers, grapes, etc., and arrange them on a beautiful board.

Speaking of boards, having an attractive cutting board to arrange your charcuterie items on is an absolute must. For example, something like this handmade olive wood cutting board will instantly elevate your charcuterie spread and make you look like a pro host.

2. HOLIDAY PARTY COCKTAILS

Besides a tempting snack array, another vital component of almost any holiday party is cocktails. Cocktails add an element of fun, especially if you opt for something a little unusual.

To keep things classy, avoid opting for a store-bought cocktail mixer that’s full of sugar and preservatives. Instead, show off your mature taste with something a little more authentic, such as our Grapefruit Moscow Mule Drink Kit.

This kit makes eight servings, contains real, natural ingredients, and is locally and sustainably made.

What’s more, it’s ready to go, meaning you don’t have to spend a lot of extra time preparing from-scratch cocktail ingredients

3. A PERFECT PLAYLIST

No matter what kind of holiday party you are hosting, you need music. Music sets the tone and creates ambiance and atmosphere.

If you want to embrace the festive spirit, you can opt for a holiday-inspired playlist full of versions of popular Christmas-themed songs.

On the other hand, if Christmas music isn’t your favorite, Spotify is your oyster.

If you are on Spotify or a similar app, you can search for pre-made playlists for social occasions. Or you can start building your own playlist from scratch and include some of your favorite tracks. Just make sure they fit the mood of your occasion.

4. HOLIDAY PARTY DECORATIONS

Another way to create a festive atmosphere is through decoration.

To reduce party set-up stress, you can opt to keep things simple and stick to a few staple decor pieces. String lights and fairy lights are always great for creating a festive, cozy mood. They also provide some ambient lighting and can help to illuminate outside areas.

You can also use them to highlight key zones, such as the drinks or snacks area. Speaking of drinks and snacks, don’t forget that your tableware can also be decorative. For example, these beautifully shaped Morrocan glass tumblers will stand out on any drinks table.

Handblown from recycled glass, they will add both a modern and bohemian twist to your setting.

Besides lights and artisan tableware, you can also do some quick decorating with wreath, pinecone table decor, etc.

Of course, if you like to go all out during the holidays, then feel free to pull out all the holiday party decorations and turn your home into a festive wonderland. This can take some time, so allocate a few hours well ahead of party day to pull this off.

5. GREAT LIGHTING

Speaking of lighting, this is another key element for setting the mood for a holiday party. Nothing destroys a mood quicker (or makes people look worse) than harsh overhead lighting.

If your overhead bulbs are bright, cold, or harsh, don’t be afraid to turn these off and rely on table lamps, standing lamps, and accent lighting. This can create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Soft lighting also has the added benefit of making everyone look good and feel more relaxed.

6. A BEVERAGE TUB AND ICE BUCKETS

If you’ve hosted more than one holiday party in your time, then you know there are two main problems that crop up. Not enough refrigerator space and not enough time to keep everyone’s glasses filled.

To beat both of these problems, consider setting up a beverage tub or a couple of ice buckets. This gives guests an accessible place to rest beverages that need to stay cold such as champagne, white wine, or beer.

It also allows guests to easily pour out their own drinks if they want another beverage.

7. A RELAXED HOST

Last but not least, one of the most important elements of a great holiday party is a relaxed host.

According to reports, stress levels skyrocket during the holidays. What’s more, hosting a party can be quite stressful if you don’t plan it wisely.

The last thing you want is to be a frazzled mess by the time you greet your guests.

To avoid this, try to keep things simple, reduce your party-prep workload, and prepare as far in advance as possible. Give yourself enough time before the party to get everything ready, and allow a couple of hours to shower, change, and unwind before your guests arrive.

If there are any last-minute details to sort out, this will give you a good buffer of time to tend to them.

WE WISH YOU A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY PARTY

Hosting a holiday party can be a lot of fun, especially if you plan it well and make sure you have all the essentials ready before the time.

Now that you know about the top 7-holiday party essentials, your party is guaranteed to be a success. Happy party planning!

Are you still on the hunt for the perfect gifts this season?

Our vision at The Barlow is to connect shoppers and artisans and provide a place where you can find products that showcase your creative taste. Do you want to enjoy good art, wine, and time shared while supporting smaller makers and eco-friendly products?

If so, you have come to the right place. Visit our gift ideas page to get inspired and find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in your life.

With over 40 artisan producers of wine, beer, cheese, meat, spirits, coffee, tea, pizza, ice cream, fresh juice, bakery, organic grocery, clothing, jewelry, art, and 8 restaurants, you can find everything you need for your next dinner party.