Thanksgiving Holiday Party Planning

Thanksgiving Day is a day set aside to rejoice the harvest and express gratitude. Friends and family gather around to celebrate with football and good food. It’s a time to catch up with one another from our busy lifestyles that we have created for ourselves and bond. Coming together for this holiday gives us purpose of that long ago harvest festival of our forefathers.

If you are hosting this years Thanksgiving party with friends and family, it is always sensible to plan ahead so that stress doesn’t get in the way of having a good time. You want to create an atmosphere of ease and comfort so that your guests feel welcome. Cooking and entertaining can almost frazzle the best of us if preparations are last minute.

Organization is the key to any successful party. Getting yourself organized starts with creating lists from your guests to your decorations. Here, I’ve provided you with guidelines to help pull your thoughts together to ensure a good outcome.

• List your guests. This will give you a head count and provide you with how many children that will be attending as well.
• Make a menu, and include all “snacks” (such as chips and dip, etc)
• Make a grocery list (go over recipes in your menu for ingredients needed)
• Decide on how you want to decorate, and make a list of things you will need.

When placing your thoughts into your holiday party decorations, your table should be the focal point of your theme. Whether you are planning an informal (everybody sits away from the table), or formal dinner, a decorated table helps to create an ambiance of hospitality. Start with selecting a tablecloth in a color that will blend with your home, (fall colors are usually benign). Then choose a style centerpiece in the theme you want to portray, such as pumpkins, Pilgrims, turkeys, etc. From there you can embellish with small items such as candles, or fall foliage. (Please keep in mind that formal dining is always best with small objects, as they tend to get in the way of food and conversation).

Other rooms in your home can help create an atmosphere of warmth by adding small touches. A small flower arrangement, candles or figurines are always aesthetic. Holiday hand towels in the bathrooms with scented candles of pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon are always nice touches. If you have children in the home, display holiday crafts that they have created. Feeling that they have contributed to the festivities is gratifying in being included as part of the holiday.

As a result of all your hard planning, enjoy yourself above all things! Take the holiday to heart, and be thankful for family and friends. Here’s wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Planning Your Holiday Party Decorations

Holiday party decorations play an essential part in setting your event. Whether you want lavish or simple, deciding what will work within your budget should be planned out before you shop. Bringing your ideas together will make everything you do look purposeful, and personal.

Choose your holiday party decorations theme and color scheme. If you apply this concept to holiday decorating you will be amazed at the results. Whatever theme and color scheme you decide on, make sure everything coordinates. If you take the time to plan a holiday color scheme and theme, your home will be transformed into a festive setting your guests and family will talk about for seasons to come.

There are plenty of holiday party decorations that can be found for sale at your local party supply store, department stores or on-line. Browsing the internet for your holiday party decorations can be helpful in finding a theme, where to find it, and a price range. After you decided on what holiday party decorations you want, plan your space and decorations accordingly.

If you are on a tight budget, you can make some inexpensive holiday party decorations that can turn your home into a holiday wonderland without overspending. For example, fill glass vases with colored stones, curled ribbon or other discount seasonal decorations you might find at your local craft store. Spread these vases throughout your home on tables, mantels and counters, and then surround them with twinkling tea lights.

Now for the fun part – decorating! It's time to place your holiday party decorations and create your holiday home.