Hosting Ideas

I received this from Donna, and found the entire email to be so helpful and thoughtful that I'm going to post the whole thing. Holiday entertaining is new to me, and so basic hosting guidance is always appreciated.

Donna says, "This is just what I have learned about hosting parties around the holidays.

1. Commit early. You need to decide well before Thanksgiving if you want
to throw a Holiday/New Year's party. People's holiday calendars book up
early, so if you can have your invitations out right after Thanksgiving,
you have a better shot at being first on your friends' calendar.

2. If you know that the majority of your friends have kids, really
consider making your event inclusive of kids. Like close parking at the
mall on Christmas Eve, babysitting during the holidays can be hard to
come by, so if you want your friends to be able to make it, try to
accommodate the kids. You don't have to have a Santa Claus and face
painting, but maybe a bedroom with pillows or bean bags and a TV with
kid friendly DVDs or even video games for the older kids. Maybe if you
have a good, reliable babysitter, consider hiring him or her for the
party so the parents can relax and enjoy some grown-up time while the
kids are being looked after and entertained. And serve some food that
kids will eat like cheese and crackers, fruit, and fresh veggies
alongside your fancy, rich and filling nibbles. There's no reason why
the adults and kids can't have fun at the same party.

3. Send a paper invitation of some sort. In these days of text message
invitations, (don't laugh, I actually got invited to a party that way
recently) it will really stand out in people's minds that they got an
actual invitation. Plus they can stick it on the fridge and it will be a
reminder to them that yes, they have plans that night, so they won't
double book.

4. Consider an open house. A come-and-go event does not require an RSVP
so you'll have to sort of plan around the idea that everyone will show
up at some point. But you'll also not have to worry about feeding
everyone a full meal - no one will expect it. This type of event allows
your guests to attend even if they have another obligation the same
night. Specify hours on the invitation and try to start early to
accommodate those who have a dinner party - maybe as early 6 p.m. But
make sure you have enough food and drinks to last the entire duration.
You don't want the folks who arrive toward the end of your window to
miss out on your homemade goodies that everyone else has been raving about.

5. Start a new tradition with a Day After event. Maybe you couldn't get
it together for a New Year's Eve party. Why not a New Year's Day brunch?
Casual attire and lots of comfort food (and maybe a bit of the hair of
the dog) will be welcome after formal and fancy events. You can make an
event out of watching the Rose Parade. What about a Boxing Day (December
26th) cocktail hour? There is nothing wrong at all with drawing out the
celebrations as long as possible."

Solid advice and awesome ideas. Thanks, Donna!