Christmas Open House Party Ideas
- Make your Christmas open house memorable with quality food and attractive decorations.christmas tree image by Vaida from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
Open house Christmas parties are a wonderful way to catch up with family and friends without having a set beginning and end time--guests can come and go in between the hours you've designated for the party. If you want to have an open house-style holiday celebration this year, giving the occasion a theme or using specific decorations for your home will make the party especially memorable. - After you've set the hours for your open house party, decide on a theme you can carry throughout the party. On the invitation, state that you're having a holiday dessert open house, and ask guests to bring their family's favorite Christmas dessert. Tell guests to bring large enough portions so everyone can sample the cookies, cakes and pies during the event. Another idea is to request all guests wear their funniest (or most hideous) Christmas sweater to the open house party. You can take pictures of the event and put them in a holiday photo album.
As a way to give back at Christmas time, request each party-goer bring children's clothing that you will donate to a local homeless shelter or other charity that accepts clothing. - Tie large red, green, or silver bows to the backs of folding chairs to give them a more festive appearance, or add pillows in metallic shades to your folding lawn chairs to make them more appropriate for your holiday celebration. Large throw pillows in bright holiday shades are a great alternative to chairs, and can be placed in the corners of the room so that guests can sit comfortably. Tie over-sized gold or silver bows to the front door and window(s) of your home, making it easy to find, and include a fresh piece of mistletoe at the door so that guests are greeted with a kiss on the cheek when entering the party. Decorate the windows with fake snow if the possibility of a white Christmas isn't likely in your area, and spray room fragrance that smells like fresh pine trees, apple cider or sugar cookies to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
- Prepare favors ahead of time so all guests leave with a party favor, no matter what time they arrive. Purchase small pots of poinsettias to present to guests as they leave, or create mini wreaths from synthetic leaves or garland. Attach a magnet or hook to the back of the wreath so that your loved ones can use the favor for decoration. Or, bake a few batches of holiday cookies, cinnamon rolls or mini pies and wrap them in colored plastic wrap. Tie a decorative bow to keep the plastic wrap together, and attach a small card to the favor that wishes each guest a happy holiday season.
