FIRST Time Hosting Christmas eve-First Time Hosting ANYTHING!

Updated on December 02, 2007
C.S. asks from Buffalo Grove, IL
6 answers

Calling all Martha Stuarts!!! This is my first time hosting a party! I am hosting Christmas Eve at my house. The will be about 15 people there. I know what I am serving for app, dinner, and desert. I know the drinks I will be serving. My question is what "extra" things can I do to really make it an unforgettable night! It will be all family members at the party. What can I do to make it extra special. What about the bathroom. I know this may sound weird, but I was thinking it is aroom that everyone goes into, should I put something special in ther? Should I have a little treat or something that everyone can take home? I just want to make it really special. Any cute ideas would be so appreciated! Thank you so much for any help.

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R.

answers from Chicago on

I'd skip the bathroom gift thing personally. Why not do some sort of favor on each place setting? Or a really cute place card for each guest.

As for the bathroom, you can fill up the tub and have floating candles in it. I went to a party once and thought that was kind of neat.

Hosting is a lot of work. Just make sure that you do all that you can ahead of time so you aren't in the kitchen the whole time.

Have a great Christmas dinner!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

My sister-in-law hosts christmas usually and her house is beautiful. for the bathroom she usually has a holliday candle and holliday disposable finger towels. she usually makes something cute like hand dipped pretzels, in chocolate with holliday sprinkles and cute holliday cellophane and ribbon. that and make sure to decorate and have light holliday tunes. my mom always has a plate of holliday cookies out, and hot chocolate. you could also have some cute holliday cookies that guests can help decorate and then take a plate home. Have fun! I love this time of year!

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D.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi C.,
I just joined mamasource and saw you needed some ideas for a great holiday party. I am the proud owner of my own stationery business and also have lots of favors and goodie bag ideas for all occasions. One idea that I have been selling this year are these little felt xmas goodie bags which you can either fill with lots of holiday candies or assortment of cookies for the kids and either votive candles or ornaments for adults or candy is always good for them. If you would like more information feel free to give me a call. You still of time before your xmas party. Check out my business review. Hope this helps!
D.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I host xmas too and for the abthroom I buy a holiday scented candle and a scented holiday handsoap and lotion . I just got the new Peppermint from William SOnoma and it is woderful! You would be amazed how much of a conversation starter that stuff can be. Also I have hot choocalte bar. Hot chocolate in a crockpot - Bowls of mini marshmellows ,whip cream on ice , holiday sprinkles and a bottle of Kahlua or Godiva(for adults of course) the kids love it and the adults can treat themself to a little treat too. Good luck and have fun with it .

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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

I like the bath tub full of water with the floating candles, but I'd just make sure the kids stay away from it. :)

Anyways, ever hear of Christmas Crackers? They're an English tradition.

http://www.theframeworkshop.com/newsnotes.cfm?PublishID=33

Good luck, and remember, have fun. It's what it's all about. :)

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P.P.

answers from Chicago on

HI C.,
what a thoughtful hostess you are. I wish I could come to a party at your house becuz I sure do appreciate all of the little extra things people do to make the evening inviting and interesting. We just had our daughter's wedding reception at the marriott and guests enjoyed the decor we had in the cocktail reception area and in the ballroom. For the cocktail area, I used those artificial silk like leaves.. mini pumpkins, gourds.. glitter pine cones.. votive candles and we transformed that place!
about take home gifts.. I have done that before but you know.. it really isn't necessary. You are sharing your home with everyone.. that is a HUGE gift for them.. really. so take that off of your to-do list!

I think you can do a lot for the holidays and not break the bank and add personal touches to your home. I will share a few ideas here.. not to drive you nuts.. I don't always do all of these at one time.. pick and choose whatever you like.. you don't have to do a ton of stuff to add some fun touches..
If you are setting the table, a candy cane on each plate or an inexpensive ornament written with the guest name with a glitter pen is a cute place card idea. I have seen that in lots of magazines. you can thread a little ribbon through the top of the ornament and tie a bow.. I have put those plain inexpensive colored ball ornaments in different colors or whatever colors in your home.. in a big glass bowl on a table with little votives and they reflect light and look pretty. for a center piece idea...

YOu could even put that bowl in the middle of a wreath.. fresh pine or artificial.. it looks nice.

Also, an arrangement of solid colored non-scented candles on a platter of sorts with pine cones, pine boughs and or glass ornaments around it is pretty and affordable too.
I have done the cookie decorating thing and everyone enjoys that.. especially the kids. You can get a few cans of frosting and a bunch of toppings..set out in bowls.. (fisher nut outlet in Barrington and they have one in Elgin..you can go online to get directions.. is where I got all of my nuts and candy for the cocktail reception.. best prices)

People seem to enjoy small bowls of little treats set here and there around your home and they can enjoy them.. christmas M&M's and little nuts and things..
for the bathroom..even hanging a little fresh pine bough wreath on the door or ANY door looks nice with a pretty ribbon..and you can get a bunch of pine boughs from a nursery and put them in a big pot with a big red bough for your porch.. guests love something interesting to look at when the enter your home.

I just bought one of those $2 glade candles at walmart..for my bathroom.. in the air freshener aisle.. .. it was something like apple and custard scent.. a friend of mine had that scent and it was SO yummy and not over powering.. and they have those bathroom paper towels in holiday designs at Tuesday morning.. they have the best prices on those things..but it isn't necessary if you watching your budget.
okay.. feel free to email me if you want other ideas.. I love thinking about this stuff. whatever you do, your guests will appreciate it.

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