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hire these for the night from a local pub or bar at minimal cost. Real glasses are preferable to paper cups, which always seem tacky.

Seating.

It's never possible to seat everyone at these functions, though be aware that some of your guests may be elderly and have more need than others.

Choosing entertainment.

Remember that Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year. If you are entertaining in your own home, then of course a good cross section of music to suit all tastes and to ring in the Christmas spirit is pretty easy to get together. If, however, you are hiring musicians, you will need to do this well in advance. Try to get either a DJ who is flexible enough to cater to all tastes or musicians who are family friendly, and will not dominate the whole occasion by being too loud and intrusive.

You can also have an area of the room suited to dancing, so the music should include music that suits all ages of the people involved, and plenty of lively dance songs, as well as slow music to calm down the evening.

Choosing the right mix of people.

A party brings out the worst in people and if you know friends to have personal conflicts with each other, avoid inviting them. There is nothing to spoil a party more than having people who don't actually have anything in common and have a history of conflict. When inviting people, think of all those friends and family who will make a balanced mixture of people who can enjoy themselves and make the occasion memorable.

Setting up the party.

It's Christmas. Get out the tree, and get all your friends to help decorate it. Let them take their part in setting out the food and drinks, as that's what Christmas is all about. It isn't about who throws the most lavish party. Lavish parties make most guests feel uncomfortable and a party which is organized among friends already has one of the vital ingredients which make parties exciting in that the people there are helping through friendship.

Under the tree, put surprise presents, and organize a fun raffle where people win something nice. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money, though can involve fun presents that make everyone laugh. Let the children enjoy their bit of Christmas cheer as well and always remember that parties should cater for kids as well as adults. They will already be excited about the coming of Father Christmas, and what's to stop you having a moment of silence, gathering the kids for a Christmas story, and having Santa's sleigh bells ringing outside?

Adults and children alike can enjoy joining in with songs you all love, and if you have a piano on the premises, there is nothing quite so special as a sing along to celebrate the festive season. This could be performed while the band or DJ are taking their break.

Whatever kind of Christmas party you are arranging, congeniality comes top of the list, and if you know how to greet your friends and relatives bearing this one aspect of the party in mind, you won't go far wrong. If disasters happen or something is forgotten congeniality makes it a shared experience for you all to laugh about, and if it all goes right you really will have memories worth remembering for next year's party.

Memorable Christmas parties are those where guests feel welcome and cherished, children have their own element of fun, and people remember why they are celebrating in the first place. It's a giving time, and one to be shared, being grateful for everything we have within our lives, and happy to share it with the folks we love. Happy Christmas all, and may your parties be memorable ones. You will know if you achieved that goal by the smiles on the faces of the people you care about.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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