My husband decided he wants to throw a Christmas party for his coworkers. We’ve never thrown a real party before, but we have hosted game nights. I’m pretty nervous, yet excited. I’m trying to think of everything we need. So far we’ve got:
styrofoam bowls (in red)
paper plates
napkins
plastic cups (also in red)
lazy susan (already owned this)
two 3-section snack trays (one in red, one in green) for nuts and candy
chip/dip serving platter (in red)
three kinds of crackers
cheeseball
mini wieners
chips
black olives
salsa
alcohol
ingredients to bake cupcakes and cookies
invitations, which are getting passed out this week
Items we still need:
festive tablecloth
gift cards
nuts
veggies (celery, carrots)
cheese tray
cheese knife (for cheese ball)
chicken wings (will get these fresh the day of the party)
mozzarella sticks
bagel bites
pop (in 2-liters)
utensils
toothpicks
a pie (or two)
My husband wants to make sure no one goes hungry. It’s a pet peeve of his when the food supply is depleted before the party ends. We’re expecting about 12 people so I think that’s more than enough; in fact I’m willing to bet we’ll have lots of leftovers.
For entertainment we’ve got board games, cards, the Wii, and music of course.
I’m a bit torn whether to ask that people take their shoes off, or just grin and bear it, then shampoo the carpets after. We don’t wear shoes in our house but some people do and might find it offensive to be asked to remove their shoes. I’ve searched online and that didn’t really help; some people think it’s poor etiquette to ask people to remove their shoes whereas other people figure if it’s your house you have every right. I’m still not sure what to do in regards to that.
Other than that, I think we’ll be prepared to have a great party. Am I missing anything?
We are a keep the shoes on household. Both Scott and I usually take ours off, but for comfort only, and I wouldn’t ask anyone to take them off when visiting. However, I would never, ever be offended if I visited another persons home and they asked me to do so.
I’ve actually found that (besides my family, because we’re all shoes on people) most visitors always offer, if not insist, that they take their shoes off when coming over.
Usually if there is a pile of shoes next to the front door that’s a good indication to guests that you are a ‘shoes off’ household. I would never be offended, but that may be b/c I don’t like to wear shoes at all.
We have a big party every year for The Academy Awards. I just felt my stomach flip thinking about it. Granted, I’m super disorganized, which you don’t seem to be, so it’s a major undertaking to get everything in order. We usually have 50-70 people in a very small house. We put tvs all over and some even sit on the back patio and once in the back yard with a fire pit.
ICE!!! Don’t forget the ice. It’s one thing we’ve had to run out for before. Since we have such a large number of people, I ask that folks bring whatever alcohol they want. We provide sodas and whatever alcohol we have left over from other events.
Hi Nicole,
Jodi beat me to commenting about the ice & I agree w/ her – definitely get more than you think you’ll need!
OK, not sure how you’re going to set up the food but you may want to have some kind of centerpiece (flowers or maybe something crafty) and maybe having a couple of small door prizes to give away would be fun too.
Be prepared for spills – they are inevitable.
If someone asked me to remove my shoes, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. I say go ahead & ask ppl to do so and I think most will comply.
Most importantly, have fun with it & don’t get too stressed out! :)