As summer comes to a close and we begin our descent into winter, the most wonderful (and hectic) time of the year arrives—the holiday season. For many, it's a time of joy and excitement as they look forward to the good times and festivities ahead. However, for some, the responsibility of planning holiday events falls on their shoulders. If you are reading this, there is a good chance you have been tasked with organizing an upcoming hoopla or two. If not, lucky you (but thanks for reading)! For those arranging for these celebrations, it's only natural to want it to be unforgettable. Rest assured, you're not alone in your wanting to create the ultimate party—one that will be cherished and reminisced about for years to come!

Well, we can't guarantee that your bash will be perfect or that everything will go according to plan. However, we can offer our two cents on how to make your planning experience smooth and ensure everyone has a fun time. Here are five tips to help as you prepare for your event!

The five most critical tips for planning your holiday party are:

• Choose the right food and drink jump to it
• Figure the budget ahead of time and stick to it jump to it
• Remember the music jump to it
• Stick to a theme for decorations and supplies jump to it
• Plan some activities jump to it

Choose the right food and drink

Though not the first step, food and drink remain the most important factors in event planning. We hate to say it, but you will be judged on what you decide to feed your guests. Because of our nature, the fare and refreshments are what people truly care about. This means good food can turn a dreary affair around, just as lousy food will ruin any good get-together. Before you go for the cheapest options, there are a few things to bear in mind:

• THE FOOD: To cater or not to cater, that should be your question. If you can't decide, here is a biased chart to help you decide. If you decide to cook- you're on your own, sorry! We're only partially kidding. Be sure you try out recipes before cooking them for a group, and make more than enough to go around. You may have leftovers, but it is better than running out of a favorite dish. For large parties, consider asking for help or turning it into a potluck!

If you make the right choice and get it catered, our number one tip is to DO YOUR RESEARCH. Decide the style of catering you'd like (food truck, buffet style, etc) and the kind of food you'd like. We have a couple articles to aid in this (see Food Truck Catering vs Drop Off Catering & more coming soon). Essentially, you want to look for a caterer with a good reputation, who is clear about what they offer, and who has the best menu that fits your budget.

Whether you cook or get it catered, there are some important things to keep in mind about the menu. Think about your guests and their dietary needs. Will there be a need for vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free meals? Along with this, recognize that everyone has different tastes. That's why offering the most variety possible should be something to focus on. Also, the weather will play a role in what you should offer. Holiday parties in October, November, and December usually call for heartier meals (like pasta), whereas summer events may have you look toward lighter food options. 

• THE DRINK: Too many hosts let the drink station fall short, but it plays as big of a role as the food. The drink station is a great opportunity to get creative while adding another themed element! Choose a seasonal favorite (like Cider for Halloween) and find another festive drink recipe that can be made both alcoholic and non-alcoholic (like Recipe Diaries' Witches Brew). Decide in advance whether alcohol will be provided and make it clear on the invites if it is not allowed or if they will need to BYOB. If you provide drinks, keep things simple with beer and wine, or get it catered. For the soft drinks, get a variety of cool flavors, and don't forget to have plenty of water. 

If providing your own drinks, arrange how you will keep them cold (or hot) in advance and have plenty of ice!

Figure out your budget

Just about everything comes down to the budget. This is why determining how much you can spend on what will be your first step in the planning process. The budget is easy to find for company, group, or organization functions- just ask what it is! Then, figure out your approximate headcount and begin pricing things out. Find out how much food and beverages would be from different vendors, and look into the price of activities, supplies, décor, and the venue (if celebrating off-site). After comparing, prioritize the most important things and create reasonable budgets for each category. After this, stick with it. Sure, fire twirlers would be cool, but how much will that take away from other things like your food truck and decorations?

For those with personal parties, budgeting can be tricky. Still, determining your budget ahead of time is imperative. Not only will it save you time and stress, but budgeting ensures you will get the best possible options for your party! After deciding on the headcount, put together a 'rough' idea of the budget (this is the amount you want to spend). Then, it is wise to start looking into the prices of everything you'll need- food, drinks, décor, entertainment, venue, etc. Now, look back at that original number. Does it seem high, too low, or just right? If that budget is too low, ask yourself what you are willing to and can reasonably spend on this event. If the amount has changed, carefully review the factors again to determine what is necessary and how much to allot for what.

Also, no matter if this is a corporate, group, or private event, prioritize your party's elements. Ranking categories by priority guarantees you spend more time and money on the more vital aspects rather than blowing it on things your guests will care less about. See more helpful budgeting tidbits here!

Remember the music

Often overlooked, music will bring an otherwise dull event to life! No, most gatherings do not need a full-fledged DJ and dancefloor, but find a speaker and play something. Better yet, if you want to avoid being in charge of the tunes, give the task to someone else- somebody will gladly take on the challenge. If this will be in honor of someone else- like a retirement or birthday, have them put together the list. Just be sure they know to keep the music safe by playing songs most people can enjoy while keeping it clean- especially for company celebrations. Nothing vulgar or weird should be played unless you know your group enjoys a certain song/style of music.

For holiday events, the playlist is considerably easier to put together- simply play tunes that fit the theme!

Stick to a theme for décor

After your budget is set, you can get into the fun parts of party planning. Choosing a theme, looking at decorations, and gathering supplies can be extremely delightful, but many find it stressful. Keep things easy for yourself by choosing a specific theme to go off of. This can be a quick task for holiday parties, as your theme should accompany that occasion. Before purchasing anything, shop around to find décor and supplies at places like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Dollar Tree. Compare prices and decide what you'd like to splurge on (like a centerpiece) and what you can be stingy on (like napkins). If you have a very small budget, you'll likely realize the budget for the decorations will be the first to get cut. No worries if this is the case. With a little time and creativity, you can replicate some of the most darling items with a few things from the dollar store (hoard up on popsicle sticks and glitter). Another idea is to find decor you already have and bring it back to life. And ask around; chances are someone has a turkey basket they can bring!

Sticking with the holiday's theme helps with your event's whole aesthetic and atmosphere, which will ultimately help people recollect your party fondly. So, put out all the snowmen you can for your annual winter wonderland celebration and give your guests something to remember!  

Looking for decoration ideas that won't break the bank? Check out these easy DIY holiday decoration ideas!

Plan some activities

Last but certainly not least, keep your guests entertained. No matter the age group(s) present, everyone likes activities. The best types to have out are non-regimented games, where everyone can play as they'd like. If outside, keep a football or some lawn games out. If inside, find or make some fun tabletop games to put up. Bonus for holiday-themed games, like reindeer ring toss!

If there will be kids present, find a couple of easy crafts for them to do, which will double as a souvenir! Also, things like raffles and gift bags never go out of style and will keep your guests hanging around a little longer. When in doubt, ask your invitees what they would like and figure out what you can feasibly do!

If you check off these five elements, you should have a great party! To recap, start by figuring out the budget. Then, the most important things to assemble are the food, drinks, and music ideas. The décor and activities come third but are still critical ingredients to an excellent party, so don't overlook them. And one last 'bonus tip': remember, this is a celebration, so have fun throughout the entire process, and your guests will, too!  

We hope everyone has a fabulous holiday season and that these tips ease your planning journey!

Looking for more inspiration?

• Food Truck Catering vs Drop-Off Catering: A Comparison
• How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Food Truck?
• 7 Helpful Office Catering Tips