Host A Holiday Open House Everyone Will Love

By Jennifer Matthews

If you’re like many of the people I know, December is one of the most social months on your calendar. And while we all often complain about “holiday overload,” the last month can bring out the social butterfly in even the Scroogiest among us.

This year, why not host a holiday open house? It’s a warm, informal way to celebrate the season, show off your festive décor, and visit with a lot of friends and neighbors in the process.

OPEN HOUSE HOW-TO’S

1. Determine your theme: Family-style or adults only?

If you want your open house to be for the whole family, it’s best to host it on a weekend afternoon, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m , for example. For an adults-only event, make it an evening affair—say from 7 p.m. onward—and be sure to send your invitations early enough to allow parents to schedule babysitting.

	TIME-SAVING TIPS Consider co-hosting the party with neighbors or friends. If you “run in the same circles,” why not share the hosting duties with another couple or family (or more)? Choose the largest (or most party-friendly) home, and distribute food and beverage duties and costs accordingly. Buy some (or all) of your food. If there’s a local bakery that makes adorable holiday cookies and you don’t have time to bake, order a few dozen in advance. You might also pick up some of samosas or spring rolls from your favorite takeout place, or buy frozen hors d’oeuvres, pre-made dips, even fruit and veggie platters. The main reason people are coming is to enjoy some time together—it’s unlikely to matter to them whether or not the artichoke-asiago dip was made from scratch. Don’t have time to clean the whole house before the party? Tidy up and de-clutter where you can, then be sure to focus on the high-traffic areas—the kitchen and the bathroom.If those are sparkling, guests are unlikely to notice the unvacuumed carpet. Emptying out your hall closet to make room for coats (instead of piling them on a bed) means you won’t have to worry about guests wandering around the house. And when time runs out, just close the door on a room that’s a disaster zone.

2. Get the word out. Be aware of people’s busy holiday schedules and send your invitations as early as possible (three to four weeks in advance is a good guideline). The beauty of an open house, though, is that guests can drop by for a few minutes or a few hours, so don’t hesitate to let people know at the last minute. They may be able to come by before or after shopping or other events. Invitations need not be formal: A festive flyer dropped into your neighbors’ mailboxes, a printed note or an e-mail (try www.evite.com ) with all the pertinent details will suffice. One note, though: DO include an R.S.V.P. request (and follow up with those you don’t hear from), to allow you to plan your food and drinks accordingly.

3. Deck your halls. Start outside, adding lights and a few decorations or greenery displays to set a holiday mood. Inside, think festive but try to avoid overdoing it (remember, your guests will still need space to set down their drinks). Check out our decorating tips for indoor and outdoor ideas. And after you’ve decked your halls, be sure to empty your boot trays and clear your closet to allow space for outerwear.

4. Don’t forget the music. Keep the mood light and upbeat. Remember to select your music a day or two in advance, and load your multi-disc player or MP3 with a variety of holiday tunes. If you’re limited to playing one disc at a time, try a compilation like Rhino: Swingin Christmas, Canadian Christmas (Vol. 1 or 2), or Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails (Part 1 or 2).

 

5. Make a list and check it twice. Using a countdown checklist in the weeks and days before a party can be a time- and sanity-saver, and can eliminate those harried trips to the grocery store in the 11 th hour.

6. Welcome guests warmly. Have pots of mulled cider and wine simmering on the stove to scent the air, and offer a mug to guests as they arrive. This is a drop-in type of party, and while you’ll be busy mingling and refreshing munchies throughout the event, make an effort to greet your guests personally as they arrive or soon afterward.

7. Be prepared for gifts. No one likes to come empty-handed to a party, so you’ll likely be receiving a variety of hostess gifts as guests arrive. You’re not obligated to open any presents on the spot, nor do you have to uncork a gift bottle of wine, unless the guest specifically requests it. Do have extra vases close at hand for any fresh cut flowers—those should be dealt with fairly quickly.

8. Keep the kids happy. If you’re hosting an afternoon open house for the whole family, try these tips to keep the pint-sized set entertained:

• Set aside a space exclusively for kids (a rec room or basement, perhaps) where they can run free and have their own fun.
• Be aware of smaller children when laying out your rooms—avoid putting your prized glass decorations within toddler reach, and apply that same principle when considering where people will set down their hot and cold drinks. Scattering coasters around the room in the center of tables and on higher shelves will help people to remember the fast little fingers that might topple their treats.
• Consider hiring one or two babysitters to run games and holiday movies for the young ones.
• Setting up a table with a supervised Christmas craft project can engage kids for a while, and works well if kids are arriving in shifts. You might have kids decorate their own gingerbread houses, cookies, or ornaments to take home. Even pipe cleaners or paper can be turned into beautiful snowflakes with a little help—and not much mess. And don’t forget music and holiday videos appropriate for your pint-sized guests.
• Offer kid-friendly food. It’s a rare child who appreciates smoked salmon crudités—opt instead for sugar cookies that can be decorated, veggie sticks with dips (to avoid rampant double-dipping, provide small cups so that each child can have his/her own dip), and simple cheeses and crackers. Apple juice boxes, cider and hot cocoa will fill the beverage bill nicely.

 

9. Keep the adults happy. If it’s an all-ages party and you follow the tips in #5, you’re pretty much set where the parents are concerned. You can put the icing on the cake by offering one or two festive cocktails (premixed in pitchers, of course), a self-serve coffee/tea bar with an assortment of liqueurs, and the afore-mentioned mulled cider (non-alcoholic) and wine.

10. Offer plenty of refreshments . This is a grazing party, so have bowls of nuts and snack mixes, veggies and dip platters, cheese and cracker selections and sweet trays scattered throughout your space. You might also set up a self-serve sandwich bar with buns, cold meats, cheeses and spreads. Check your platters and replenish them often. If you like, you can also pass plates of hot hors d’oeuvres around every 30 minutes or so (this is another great job for an agreeable—and compensated—teen).

11. Mingle and enjoy. This is definitely not a party where you should sit down and immerse yourself in lengthy conversation with one guest. Move around the room, making sure you’re greeting guests as they arrive and seeing them off as they leave, and that the food and drinks are flowing throughout the event.