Christmastime is here, which means it is time to spread the cheer! Even with the stress that accompanies the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there is also much to celebrate. The closer we get to the big day itself, the more we will partake in the festivities of the holiday season. If you intend on going the extra mile and hosting a Christmas party of your own, proper planning is essential to ensure everyone has a great time. Signature Event Rentals is here to help! Our party rental services take the stress out of planning a special time for you and the people in your life. Consider the following advice to make your party an event that people will be talking about for years to come.
Theme & Style
The first thing to consider when planning a Christmas party is what you would like the event to project. Will it be a casual event or something more formal? It may seem quite inconsequential, but a simple decision like style will impact the entire mood of your party. Keep your guests in mind. An all-adult party may call for something more posh and refined, like a Christmas masquerade. On the other hand, an older crowd may prefer something more laidback and lowkey, much like a barbecue or cocktail party. If children are attending, be sure to keep things light and energetic with plenty of activities to partake in. It is Christmas, after all.
As for a theme, it will obviously have something to do with the holidays, but what exactly does that entail? Perhaps a “winter wonderland” theme complete with snowflake streamers and colors of light blue and silver will give the proper elegance you seek. For something warmer and more traditional, opt instead for an “I’ll be home for Christmas” concept, complete with a Christmas tree that guests can help decorate and maybe even an outdoor fireplace to bring the homey feel altogether.
Whatever you choose, Signature Event Rentals can help turn your vision into a reality. Our party rentals include everything you could possibly need to complete the aesthetic you seek. From linens and drapes to tabletop decor and chairs, we can dress your party up or treat it with reserved yet distinguished taste. Share with us what you want to accomplish, and we will walk you through everything else.
Food & Drink
It is expected at any event that food and refreshments will be served, but this is especially true during the holidays. Wholesome and filling foods fitting of winter weather are highly recommended. Prime rib, roasted fowl, and honey ham are all choices guaranteed to please, but you are by no means limited to these options alone. Creative choices include cedar plank salmon, tamales, or smoked brisket. Adding touches of your personality to the party is what will make for a truly unique and enjoyable experience for your guests.
As for sides, consider crowd-pleasers such as macaroni and cheese, corn pudding, and creamed spinach. A salad bar is never a bad idea, and bread is a cost-effective way of filling empty tummies. To truly wow and surprise, however, consider including a baked potato station. People can dress up their meals in whatever way they see fit, plus it makes the act of eating all the more fun and exciting.
Don’t forget to keep in mind the dietary restrictions of your guests. This not only shows respect for your guests, in many cases it can protect them from potentially harmful allergies. Vegan and gluten-free options are an excellent way of ensuring everyone enjoys his time at your party as well as showing you appreciate his being there. If you send out formal invitations, have a space for people to include their food preferences along with their RSVP. This way, you are sure to have the right amount of food for every diet, and everyone will have something they can eat.
Drinks are guaranteed to add to the fun, too. For beer, it is recommended to offer three options: something light like Heineken, something dark like Guinness, and something hoppy like Stone IPA. Red and brown ales are also excellent choices, often offering sweetened notes of chocolate or roasty characteristics of coffee that compliment the season. If you want to really impress, provide something seasonal from a local brewery. From Red Dragon to Highmark and Maltese, there are plenty of breweries to choose from here in Fredericksburg!
Wine is a bit more simple to approach. White and red options are required, but you can go above and beyond in giving multiple choices of each. Oaked Chardonnays are popular with some but detested by others. Offering a fruity Sauvignon Blanc or dry Pinot Grigio will give options to those who prefer to lay off the oak. Rieslings are also enjoyed more during the colder months, as is sparkling wine. Include these to truly help your party stand out among the rest.
Red wines are exceptionally popular with chilly weather, so be sure to have plenty on hand to satisfy thirsty guests. Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold option and a perfect pairing for rich and fatty cuts of meat. Malbec or Merlot will be easier drinking for those with a delicate palette. It is wise to keep back-stock of something accessible like a red blend, which will satisfy a variety of tastes. For a more exotic selection, consider an easy-drinking Duro from Portugal. Wines from this region are fruity with velvety chocolate undertones, and they are extremely affordable to boot.
The best thing to do is to have a local wine shop provide what is needed. They have invaluable knowledge of what wines will be well-received. There is even a chance you’ll be given sample bottles to help you deliberate what you want to serve. The real key is keeping options available for everyone.
If you would like to have a full bar, a catering company will likely have affordable liquor options they are used to crafting drinks with. That said, you are welcome to make the selections yourself, as long as the bartender has the necessary ingredients for making popular cocktails. Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, bourbon, Irish whiskey, and Scotch are all important to keep on hand. By including vermouth, bitters, and various mixers, you are guaranteed to have all your bases covered. You can also take the opportunity to make a festive punch for everyone to enjoy. Whatever you do, just be sure to provide non-alcoholic for teetotalers or anyone who is underage.
Lastly, it wouldn’t be the holidays without offering something sweet. Desserts are demanded at any large group gathering, but this is doubly true during Christmas. Cookies, pies, perhaps a yule log cake — anything goes when it comes to what you could serve. Whatever you decide to include, just be sure to have variety. Not everyone is a fan of peppermint bark! By planning ahead, you can have your dessert platter adorned with decorations befitting the holiday season.
Whatever food graces your guests’ plates, Signature Event Rentals has the food service supplies you need to cater your party. We can even connect you with local catering companies so all you have to do is pick what ends up on the menu.
Music & Entertainment
It’s not a party without entertainment, so be sure to weigh your options appropriately. Take into consideration the crowd you are expecting to attract. If children are in attendance, a moonbounce will help keep them preoccupied. Activities with arts and crafts are another great way to keep children amused. Have them make macaroni angels or design personal ornaments to hang on a decorative evergreen. Given the occasion, what might take your party from “a good time” to something truly memorable is a surprise visit from none other than Santa Claus himself.
Fireworks add a majestic spark to any celebration, and it’s something enjoyed by all, both young and old. Of course, there are rules and regulations to be considered when putting on a show that incorporates pyrotechnics, so be sure to consult your chosen venue before paying for a fireworks display. At the very least, sparklers are likely to be allowed if enjoyed in a controlled manner.
For adults, conversation is what will keep everyone entertained most. Including games at the dining tables can be the perfect way to encourage engagement between your guests. Hiring a comedian or magician to perform a Christmas-themed show can also be appreciated by people at any age. Dancing, too, is a proven method of enlivening a party, which is why music must play a central role in keeping your guests entertained.
More than likely, Christmas melodies will be the musical backbone of your holiday party. In terms of style, the options are plentiful. You might opt for a disc jockey to play popular tunes that everyone recognizes and enjoys. If you would like something a little more classy, however, consider hiring a band to perform.
Bands can customize the music choices to fit the mood of the occasion. Whether you are looking for something upbeat and energizing like rock or something with a little more swing like jazz, a band can give you exactly what you need. No matter what you choose, Signature Event Rentals can accommodate your choices with a stage, dance floor, PA system, and more. For party rentals, we provide only the best.
Comfort & Convenience
The key to a successful party is more than the activities you provide or what food you’ve had prepared. It’s also about making sure your guests are comfortable and well taken care of. Make certain that chairs are cushioned and supportive, particularly for pregnant women and the elderly. Since they may be limited in what activities they partake in, they may spend the majority of their time seated at a table, observing others and enjoying conversations. You want them to be satisfied as much as anyone else, so start by guaranteeing comfortable seating. With a large selection of chair rentals to choose from, Signature Event Rentals will help you achieve this with ease.
Next, you’ll want to have all the labor to be taken care of for you. Staffing caterers makes certain that drinks are always full and tabletops are regularly cleaned. Guests should not be held responsible for gathering trash or making unnecessary drink runs, and neither should the host. Concentrate on your role by keeping your guests relaxed, having all other duties delegated to the staff running the event.
It is inevitable at any get-together with food and drink that guests will eventually require the facilities of a washroom. Often, these are accessible via the venue itself, but should the party be taking place outside, it may be prudent to invest in high-end restroom facilities. Without providing for these basic needs, the situation may prove dire, and that doesn’t put anyone in the Christmas spirit.
Lastly, when it comes to winter parties that are held in the outdoors, you want to strongly consider the weather. Depending on where you live, snow may present a problem, but cold temperatures, at the very least, will come into play. So that all your guests remain cozy and happy, it is important to have the right tent (complete with full-length walls) in addition to outdoor heaters. There is simply no reason to leave anything to chance, and when you receive party rental services from Signature Event Rentals, nothing will be.
Festivities & Fun
Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year, so make merry with those you love and care for. Now you know all that must be taken into account when planning a Christmas party. It’s no small feat, but it can be well worth the challenges — especially when you have help. Before you start planning your grand holiday celebration, contact Signature Event Rentals. As Virginia’s premier party rental provider, we will equip you with all the supplies you need, connect you with our event partners for additional assistance, and offer further advice to make your Christmas party a smashing hit, so call us today!
