Your Holiday Party Checklist

holiday party checklistThe holidays are quickly approaching, and you may be planning a company Christmas party or hosting a holiday get-together at your house for family and friends. In any event, this checklist can help you get started on planning the best Christmas party of the season.

Holiday Season Wine Checklist

1. Choose a Date

Firstly, you should choose a date for your holiday party. If it's for coworkers, schedule your party before Christmas because they'll be busy with friends and family over the holidays. 

If it's for family, you can plan a party around the holiday you're celebrating. If it's for close friends, schedule before Christmas or between Christmas and New Year so you can exchange gifts. 

2. Create a Guest List

The next step is to create a guest list. Make a list of people you'd like to invite to your Christmas party. This will give you an estimate of how many guests you'll be hosting. 

Consider whether your guests will be attending alone or with a friend or a date when compiling a guest list. Also, while making your list, assume that 30-50% of the people would be unable to come, so you can usually invite a few more people.

3. Plan a Budget

Since the holidays are a time when people spend money on gifts, budgeting for your party is essential. This will allow you to have a fantastic party without worrying about how you'll afford the rest of the holiday season. Budget for:

  • Food and Drink
  • Outfit
  • Any Catering or Bartending
  • Venue
  • Decorations
  • Entertainment

4. Send Out Invitations

Invitations should be given in advance of the event because people book up quickly over the holidays. If you send out invitations but do not receive a response, you may want to follow up with a phone call or text message in case they did not receive your invitation or were unable to come. You should inform guests of the following:

  • The Date, Time, and Location of the Party
  • A Title or Description for the Party
  • Suggest What They Can Bring
  • That You Would Like and RSVP by a Specific Date

5. Food and Wine Pairing

It's not a proper holiday celebration without food and drinks. Depending on your budget and the size of your party, you can prepare your own food, purchase it, or have the event professionally catered. For drinks, you can ask guests to bring their own or provide a few options, such as wine, beer, spiked eggnog, and mulled wine.

Metro Wines has a wide range of wines available for holiday parties, events, and dinners. We not only provide the best services, but we also share a passion for wine, focusing on pairing the perfect wine with any dish or event. If you're interested in our wine selection, please contact us or stop by our Asheville location.