Best of...(End of the Year College Cheer!) Planning the Perfect Holiday Party

Hosting a great holiday party will not only give you a chance to break out your cutest party outfit; it will also give you and your friends time to catch up after a long semester apart! Here is a collection of great party ideas to use at your winter shindig that will be sure to impress without cleaning out your wallet.

Décor:

Try creating a “winter wonderland” theme; it is holiday-neutral so everyone can celebrate the season! For a beautiful table start with a silver or white tablecloth which can be purchased at any party supply store. Lay it flat on the table and then place a runner made out of a light blue sheer fabric (available at craft stores) in the center. Print, cutout and glitter a few of these snowflakes and place them underneath the sheer fabric for a beautiful and eye-catching effect. Finish off the table with an illumining centerpiece. Buy three silver glitter pillar candles in different sizes. Create a cluster with the candles on a cake stand (if you don’t have a cake stand you can also place them on a ceramic dish) and surround with white poinsettias. You can purchase both the candles and artificial poinsettias at your local craft store.

If you are willing to go all out, purchase plastic bowls and plates from a party supply store in light blue and silver to continue with the décor theme. Set up the buffet on a table separate from where your guests will dine. Use another tablecloth to cover the serving area and scatter snowflake confetti (also available at a party supply store) all over. You may also wish to light some tea lights in a yummy scent (cinnamon is my favorite!) across the buffet table for some extra ambience.

Food and Drink:

Serving food buffet style is best for a holiday gathering, especially when you want to catch up with your friends since a buffet allows for party guests to mingle and chat with one and other. For a low-key soirée, try finger foods such as these delicious bacon, cheddar and pesto flatbreads and this bubbly spinach dip. A vegetable or cheese and cracker platter is easy yet appetizing. Simply buy whatever cheeses or vegetables you’d like and arrange them on a unique dish. If you would like a main dish, pasta is always quick and easy to prepare- just add your favorite sauce! To lessen your time in the kitchen, try to buy pre-baked goodies for desserts in the bakery aisle of your supermarket. I love to bake gingerbread cookies and cover them in cream cheese icing and finish off with red sprinkles. They are super festive and so delicious! For some drinks options, try your hand at this non-alcoholic spiced punch or this delicious candy-cane swirl cocktail.

Party Games:

To keep everyone entertained, you may want to have a few games ready. Trivia games (like Trivial Pursuit) or “team” games (like Pictionary) are lots of fun to play with large groups. Having great music on could also even inspire an impromptu dance party! Try looking around itunes for some party play lists.

Favors:

Cute favors don’t have to be expensive! This idea won’t even cost you more than five dollars! Ask each guest to bring a small wrapped gift (not worth more than $5) to the party without a name on it. Place all the gifts in a bag and at the end of the party hand each guest a gift as they leave. It’s fun to see what some people end up getting! If you don’t want to ask your guests to spend anything, you could always go the homemade route and whip up a batch of cookies (supermarkets carry great seasonal cookie dough this time of year!)  Buy clear plastic baggies (available at party supply stores and craft stores) and place one or two cookies inside. Tie with white, silver, and light blue ribbon and you are good to go.

-- By Stephanie Vacchio, Union College