Holiday Party Planning-Create a Joyful Holiday Experience

The holidays are a time for fun, family and friends. Every holiday has its own party experience. Whether it's Christmas gift-giving, Fourth of July BBQ's or Thanksgiving turkey, you can probably expect what the party nearest you has to offer. However, if you don't want your party to be predictable then read on because there are ways to put a spin on your holiday party planning that your guests will never forget.

The basics still need to be covered. You should approach your holiday party planning as you would any party. The best way to do this is by creating a checklist. A checklist will prevent the mishaps which create chaos for the host before and after a party begins. List everything you need, purchased, the guest list (names, phone numbers, and addresses), budget, venue, menu items, decorations and anything else you feel is relevant to your party. With a checklist in hand, crank up your imagination for the twists you intend to create that will make your holiday party stand out from the crowd.

The main thing to keep in mind when deviating from the norm is to create something that will be accepted and appreciated. You don't want to have a Thanksgiving dinner and serve steak and potatoes and have it resented by everyone. When adding a twist keep it simple, yet different enough to be memorable.

A good way to keep things simple are to make a change in the color scheme. You can do this by having all your decorations devoted to a certain color or colors. The decorations are not the only thing you can change. You can also have your glassware, dishes, cakes, cupcakes and other finger foods delightfully arranged with frosting from the favored color choice.

Another way to change the way a party is to be remembered is by changing the menu. This can be done smoothly at Thanksgiving if the guests are notified beforehand. There is no rule against making a change to the menu by adding your best recipe, but it is best to make it known. Otherwise, your twist could backfire and the lasting memories you want to create could turn ugly. A good holiday to add something new to the menu is the Fourth of July. Instead of going with hot dogs and hamburgers have a seafood boil. The one thing to keep in mind when having seafood as the main dish is there is always someone amongst your guests who is either allergic or just plain hates the taste. With this in mind, always have the basics on hand, just in case.

The holidays can be a stressful time for the person who has taken on the responsibility of being host. It can be even more stressful if you've decided to make a change from the norm. To keep the stress contained be open about what you are planning. Simple changes can be adding games to the event or having everyone wear specific colored clothing. There are many things you can do to add a twist to the holidays, you just have to use your imagination. While being creative, be thoughtful to your families feelings, you want them to have a great time and have something different to talk about from last year's party, not anything negative.

Above all, you must always be a fun host. Surely you can create lasting memories by doing something different. This is your party. To stand out from the crowd and make this year's holiday party extra special, you must have fun doing it. Your guests will surely notice and appreciate all the added trouble you went through, even if it took you only a few extra minutes.

Have a great holiday.