What to Serve: Keep the menu light for this party since most of the time will be spent working on the cards. If you want to be original this year and stray from the classic Secret Santa recipe, you can hold a random gift exchange. The winner gets a fresh stack of pancakes with their favorite toppings (okay, fine, everyone's a winner at this party!). Alternatively, you can place them in mason jars. I found myself down a little rabbit trail this weekend when I was searching Etsy for some tutor gift ideas. During the COVID quarantine I saw so many people trying sourdough. When you are done watering your garden it is important to [], Hgelkultur is a word that comes from German and means mound culture or hill culture. Set out a garnish table with an assortment of cherries, caramel syrup, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, and sprinkles. Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the smells in the kitchen are so delightful! You don't have to wait until Christmas morning to celebrate with friends over your favorite meal of the day! For groups who like to bake, ask everyone to whip up a batch of their favoritecookie recipesto share at a celebratory gathering at someone's home. Plus, guests generally enjoy getting or making their own drinks so that they can customize them or pour just the right amount. Being a great party host can require quite a bit of effort, but you can keep your guests happy and lower your stress level by setting up a self-serve bar on your patio. The concept was further developed by Sepp Holzer, who is an expert in permaculture, in his book Sepp Holzers Permaculture: A Practical [], Whether you have a generous front yard or a smallone, theres always something you can do to make it look amazing. What to Serve: In addition to the globally-inspired dishes, ask guests to create an information card so guests have a cultural context for the deliciousness on their plates. Of course, it makes sense to gather around the fire pit or fireplace in winter, since it might actually be cold outside, but keeping warm is not the only reason to focus on your fire features. Your guests can also give you a hand when it comes to decorations or food. You can even throw a cookie swap party where guests are invited to bring their favorites and share Christmas cookie recipes. (Award an oven mitt to the winner!) If you want to be truly prepared, you can provide your guests with some extra gloves, hats, and scarves. Dont forget to include colored paper, glue, scissors or anything else they might need. They are a symbol of happiness and good times, so dont be afraid to use them! Just dont forget your favorite winter drink recipe and a slice of fruitcake. Children will love to go candy hunting and treat themselves. Afterwards, everyone can decompress with a cup of apple cider a few holiday cookies. Have your friends bring their kids along for an afternoon whipping up some easy-to-make holiday favoritessuch as these chocolate-filled candy cane hearts from Dinner at the Zoo. A hose is the easiest and most economical way to water your garden. Get Crafty With a Holiday Card-Decorating Party, 20 Fun Things to Do at a Party (That Aren't the Same Old Bar Routine). Keep it simple by stocking up on affordable gingerbread kits that come ready to assembleand be sure to choose an official judge! Red blankets would be perfect, but any other color will do as well. If you cut down a tree recently, its a good idea to use wood pieces as decorations. Invest in a home karaoke system, and load it up with your favorite holiday tunes. You can even throw together a hot chocolate bar if youve got a slow cooker to keep things warm and toasty. Warm everyone up with homemade hot chocolate. Delicious peanut butter cups fromA Beautiful Mess will be a serious crowd-pleaser. Your email address will not be published. Chocolate-dipped almond cookies fromFoodie Crush would be great with a glass of bourbon milk. You can make them draw numbers and then get a certain gift assigned or use any other method to make sure gifts reach various people. Have a plan to manage gift wrap, ribbons and gift bags before your guests arrive and make sure you have your receptacles clearly marked to save time separating recyclables from trash after the party. Most parties produce some trash and recycling, but a holiday party that involves a gift exchange produces a lot more. Patio fireplaces and fire pits provide a warm, welcoming ambience for a social gathering and can make a party in oh-so-sunny Southern California feel a bit more like a winter soiree. Since it is the holiday season, this is the perfect excuse to hang extra string lights bordering your patio, crossing from your house to your gazebo or in your trees. Skaters of all levels will have a blast gliding around and around. Flat wood rounds, wooden balls, floral craft rings, plus colorful craft paint and diamond dust glitter are a few must-haves. Who says you have to relegate the fun to the daytime hours? Remember to offer your guests a variety of decorations: colored sugar, candy pieces, etc. Throw a fun holiday soiree inspired by your favorite Christmas movie, or go for a classic holiday dinner party. Start the evening by serving your guests some delicious and Country Living-approved Christmas appetizers. As I was Support your local creators and vendors this holiday season, by checking out these local Etsy shops. Hosting a backyard Christmas party may not sound like a great idea. For those of you who already planted fir trees in pots or directly in the ground, a backyard Christmas party is the perfect occasion to decorate them. Brunch Pro Theme by Shay Bocks. Add silver tinsel, bells, ribbons or place sweets in them. Have a few Christmas props and holiday face masks on handput your DIY skills to good use and make your own masks or go on Etsy to purchase printable ones. To assist, we've rounded up 15 different holiday party ideas that will fit your fte goals. Maple Sugaring at Lancaster County Central Park, 30+ Places to Visit on Rainy Days in Lancaster County, 10 Indoor Water Parks Near Lancaster County Pennsylvania, 10 Fall Family Fun Things To Do in Lancaster County, FREE Places to Go With Your Kids this Summer in Lancaster County, Mostly-Free Summer Bucket List Ideas for Your Family Staycation {with Lancaster County links}. The best thing about them is that you can place them virtually anywhere and theyll look good. Alternatively, you can bring different cookie cutters. Ask each guest to bring her favorite craft supplies so you can draw from a large collection. If you live in a winter wonderland, you can build your own rink or go out to a pond or lakejust make sure it's safe beforehand. What to Serve: Keep the menu focused on small bites and chocolate desserts. Be sure to remind your friends to have addresses ready, too, since you'll also hand outenvelopes and stamps for the finishing touches. Cheesy chili baked potato fries fromThe Minimalist Baker will be gone before you know it. Put on your favorite holiday onesie and sink your teeth into soft, fluffy pancakes for one of the most laid-back parties you'll ever host. Arrange seating around your fire pit or face your patio furniture towards your fireplace to encourage your guests to get cozy and stay a while. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. What to Serve: Beyond the cheeseboard, set out other snack-worthy items like popcorn and trail mix, and sparkling water or iced tea to wash it all down. Proudly serving San Diego County, California. Serve fresh popcorn with optional popcorn seasonings like parmesan black pepper, cinnamon sugar, or everything bagel for a holiday treat. Supply your guests with all they need: tree branches, ribbons, berry sprigs, candy canes, pine cones, tinsel, etc. Whether you're going for something silly or sophisticated, don't be afraid to go all out. And don't forget the non-alcoholic options for variety. Ask guests to bring something inspired by a different culture or something from their own. Add a nostalgic element to your party by setting out supplies to make gingerbread houses and hosting an all-in-good-fun competition to see who can construct the sweetest abode. In order to allow the adults to talk, enjoy themselves and have a bit of a break from the little ones, be sure you have plenty of activities on hand to keep the kids busy and entertained. This way, if someone forgets their white elephant gift or brings an extra person to the party, you can make sure everyone there has something to unwrap. If there is one great time to plan a party, it's holiday season. White elephant exchanges always lead to an evening filled with laughter. Popcorn and candy are must-haves. What to Serve: Brunch classics are the name of the game, like coffee cinnamon rolls with maple cream cheese icing from The Modern Proper. Proudly serving San Diego County, California. What is a pantry challenge? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, this site may earn from qualifying purchases. In fact, end the party by walking over to the nearest mailbox and depositing your creations together. If you are hosting an all-ages holiday party, you will likely have children in attendance. Though this activity needs to be done inside as well, you can take everyone out in the backyard to taste the result of their work. This idea should bring out the silly sides of your friend group since everyone should be encouraged to dress up like Santa, but don't just leave it there. By setting up a patio bar before your party, you get to take one thing off of your hosting duties list during your gathering. Julia Ludlam is the Associate Art Director at _Country Living. Add our cable-knit breadsticks for an extra-special, extra-wintery element. Not only will it challenge you, but your guests will also be more likely to remember your effort. An easy idea is to make stockings out of them and place your gifts in them later, but you can let your guests imagination go wild as well. From making Christmas wreaths to hosting a fun (and helpful) gift-wrapping party, we have enough ideas to last you the entire seasonand then some! A good idea that will engage all your guests (even younger ones) is a wreath-making contest. Then, have them craft something out of them. Dinner Recipes, Dad Jokes To Keep the Whole Family Laughing, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You can simply throw them over your trees and bushes and youll create a magical atmosphere in just seconds. You can also ask that they bring one to sharethat way, the party's personal too! Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of a party that celebrates the fun material. You can roast marshmallows for s'mores, serve hot chocolate, and set up board games for people to play. Crank up the heaters and pull out the bathing suits, because this party is all about having a tropical getaway at the start of winter. Discover rustic dining room design inspiration, Look for Mediterranean home bar design inspiration, 10 Winter Cocktails for Outdoor Entertaining (Recipes + Tips), 17 Ways to Make Your Home and Patio Smell Like Christmas, Winter Entertaining Tips: Keeping Your Guests Warm, 6 Home Improvement Projects to Consider Before Winter and the Holidays, How to Host a Zero-Waste Party in Your Backyard, Paver Patterns and Design Ideas for Your Patio, Artificial Grass Installation Services in San Diego, Artificial Grass Cost Installation Price Guide. Roll out the dough and allow your guests to cut and design desired shapes (use a straw to poke a hole for hanging if you're going for ornaments), then bake at 300F until dry, approximately 1 hour; cool completely. Here are our favorite ideas to throw the best holiday party ever. Make a big pot of hot cocoa and bring it outdoors. Of course, you don't just have to stick to cross-stitch designs. Ask your friends to wear '80s or '90s-style formalwear and create a photo booth that mimics the one in your high school gym. String lights above a patio, crank up a fire pit, and ask guests to attend wearing their bestaprs skioutfits. One of the ideas everyone will love is hosting a snowball fight. Yes, please! We love this idea for a Christmas party theme! You can't go wrong with charcuterie. Don't forget the toasted marshmallow hot cocoa and the theatre candy brownies. A fun idea: Instead of the usual place-markers, blogger Amber from Crazy Little Projects uses popcorn to cover her board. You can use chocolate, small candy, candy canes, gingerbread men, etc. Give your guests a few pre-made cards to write in or let them craft their very own at this cute party. No snow? Don't forget to set out snacks and cocktailscrafting can really work up an appetite! If your friends enjoy Halloween, this gives them another opportunity to make the most of their costume ideas. While you are renting goods for your outdoor holiday party, consider also renting tablecloths and napkins. What to Serve: This is the perfect opportunity to make cookies, of course. When you're a host striving for a memorable soire, that's probably not your goal. Candy canes are some of the best outdoor Christmas decorations you can think of. Instead of decorating your tree on your own, invite your friends over to help you string lights and place ornaments. What to Serve: Balance out sweet beverages with opposite flavors and interesting textures, like chips and pretzels. Nothing says Christmastime like a batch of toffee, truffles, or fudge. She has been writing for MyDomaine since 2017. If your guests will be exchanging gifts at your holiday gathering or if a white elephant gift exchange is part of the festivities, be sure to have a few extra gifts on hand. Don't Sweat Your Engagement PartyThese 26 Ideas Make It a Snap, This Is the Secret to Perfect Friendsgiving, 35 Adult Birthday Party Ideas to Celebrate Any Year, 30 Unique 30th Birthday Ideas to Celebrate in Style, 57 Thanksgiving Dcor Ideas You Can Throw Together in a Snap, 17 Best Design & Entertaining Tips We Learned From Celebrities, 20 Chic Halloween Party Ideas Sure to Impress Your Guests, 13 Best Halloween Party Themes Fit for Adults, 12 Delicious Food Gifts Your Friends Will Love, 15 Labor Day Party Ideas You Won't Want to Miss Out On, The 9 Essential Elements of a Great Party, 15 Inspired Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas for Adults, 15 Ideas for a Truly Memorable 40th Birthday Party, John Legends Tips for Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party, How to Choose Wine For Your Next Holiday Party. Finally, you can make the decorating process of your backyard part of the party. Even beginners can learn to cross-stitch quicklyand with our easy tutorials, you can guide the way. Ask your guests to bring wrapped gifts and then randomly distribute them. If you have an old closet or some wooden boards, you can easily turn them into a hot cocoa bar. Provide them with blankets, sweaters, and hot cocoa to keep them warm. Kick off the holiday season right with some friendly competition. The season's most ubiquitous treat is more versatile than you think! For this party, ask your friends to bring classic Hanukkah dishes to your home for a festive but casual potluck. If youre in the mood for something savory, fondue can feed a crowd and keep everyone entertained all evening long. You can provide round wreath forms, yards of burlap, ribbons, dried citrus, and more to help them get in the spirit. But since everyone is likely attending multiple parties at this time of year, it can be easy for one shindig to blend into the next one. To make things extra fun, ask guests to play Binge-Watch Bingo using buttons or popcorn to mark the squares. If they are sturdy enough, you can improvise some seating out of them. Decorate the branches with tinsel, red ribbons or yellow bells for a special effect. Once they are done, you can take them outside and eat them or pack them away and give them to your guests to take home. Ask your guests to put the least amount of effort into their wardrobes as possibleby showing up in theirpajamas. Set up a table with wrapping paper, ribbons, stamps and gift tags galore and go to town. In this way, your guests will have an easy time finding and using them. The frosted Moscow mule recipe from Half Baked Harvestis a good choice. Treat yourself to professional services or get inspired to do your own nails, hair, makeup. Turn on your favorite holiday playlist, sip on some hot cocoa, and send everyone home with a cute container of treats like these hexagon jars adorned with a cinnamon stick and striped ribbon. It is essential for gardens, no matter how big or small, to have easy access to water. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. If you want to host a great party during winter and you dont know how to design it, youre in luck. This is a party theme for hosts with outdoor space because it's the perfect place to re-create the look of a ski lodge. Have your guests sign a holiday record as a guest book before they take their turn at the microphone. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! You could even recreate this stunning manicure from So Nailicious. If you don't make it out to the slopes this season, bring the warmth of a ski lodge to your own home by hosting an aprs ski-themed party.