Holiday event planning can be complicated and stressful but when a party is done right it is talked about for many months after. Below are 10 tips on how to make your holiday party a success.

1. Venue

Good venues book fast. It is not uncommon for top venues to have “holds” put in place as early as August. It is critical to book your venue as early as possible.

2. Save the Date

Send out a Save the Date electronically. The holiday season is a busy period and schedules fill up fast. Save the Dates are appreciated and should go out within 6 weeks or more of the party.

3. Guests

It is important to set expectations, according to your desired outcome regarding plus one or guests. Having your budget confirmed before the party and determining if the attendees can bring a plus one will impact venue capacity.  If plus one’s aren’t in the plans, then make sure this is indicated on the invite or verbally confirmed with attendees.

4. Budget

Allocate wiggle room in your budget and make sure you have a contingency plan. If your party is a roof top venue and there is an unexpected cold front that night you might need to have the venue bring in portable heaters. Thus, having wiggle room in your budget will be appreciated.

5. Timing

Since some parties occur during the work week, make sure the event time starts and ends at a reasonable hour. Remember that some attendees have to work the next day... or try to work at least!

6. Food 

Avoid having a sit down dinner. Do something fun interactive like passed food and buffets. People might have more than one event that evening and not have time for a seated dinner. Additionally, the number one thing I recommend to guarantee is that each food type served has a sign showing if it is vegetarian, gluten free, contains nuts, etc. We are in an era where many people have allergies or at least food preferences. Assume this is so and automatically make it easy for guests, so they don't have to ask servers or try to figure out if the food being served is something they can partake in. My clients consistently thank me for ensuring food ingredients are transparent.

And finally, make sure there is enough food to go around. The last thing you want is to send people home hungry - or worse, drunk!

7. Entertainment 

Music is the key to a successful party. Whether you want a band or a DJ, or even something interactive like karaoke, music is a critical element. Think of it as an additional decorative component. Music sets an atmosphere for your event and encourages people to let loose and enjoy.

8. Creativity

Have some activities for guests to do besides drinking. Not only are photo booths always a hit, but now you can extend the reach of your event by ensuring attendees can interact on social media memorializing the holiday. Adding creative little touches go a long way.

9. Safety 

After a fun night at the party you want to make sure your guests get home safe. Work with Uber & Lyft to provide guest with a specific dollar amount to redeem on the evening of the party. 

10. Fun

The most important thing is to have fun. Remember: You can't please everyone. But as a host of the party, when your guests see you having fun, it is contagious. Don't let someone bring you down if they are complaining about something. There is always something that goes wrong and someone that is not happy. Be accommodating, but don't let that one person ruin the night.