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Let's start with the obvious. If you want to plan a "memorable" Christmas party, you will have to do something that is a little different. But what to plan? Hasn't everything already been done? "Different" is perhaps the goal but there is sometimes a fine line between unique and downright strange. An ill-managed idea can quickly go from offbeat to disaster. Therefore, creating a unique social experience must be done carefully. Here are a few ideas.

Food

Edibles are often a key part of a good party. Sometimes this means that the host has to do a lot of preparing, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Granted, the food served should be things that are proven winners, or highly requested dishes. This may not be the time to experiment. If others are solicited to bring food, it may be prudent to request that they bring specific items. Again, go with what has been done before, and done well. If you ask people to just "bring something", they may default to the standard box of store-bought Christmas cookies.

Drink

Many partygoers assume that there will be some sort of liquid libations. Of course, party hosts have to be careful with alcohol because those who over-indulge may put themselves in a state where they don't remember ANY party, let alone a memorable party. Therefore, alcohol may be acceptable in a certain range, but drunkenness is not an attractive part of a successful party.

Pictures

One way to make a party memorable is to take pictures. if people are quick enough, they can take a bunch of pictures, upload them to a computer, and print them out. As people go out the door, they can hand out pictures to people as mementos of the party. Granted, this might bring with it a high cost of printer paper, but in the long run it may be worth it because people will have a lasting memory of their experience.

Activities

The "fun" of a party often comes down to planning good activities. Gauging the mood of people may be difficult, but oftentimes it is about variety. If people are just sitting around and talking the whole time, it may be an enjoyable atmosphere but not necessarily memorable. On the other hand, an organized activity that involves everyone can backfire if it creates a forced awkwardness. Therefore, consider a variety of activities. Activities might include:

Decorating cookies

Playing Nintendo Wii

Singing Christmas carols

Playing cards or board games

Listening to music and dancing

Sitting around the fireplace

Sitting around a fire pit outside

Some of these activities might be a bit juvenile, but oftentimes people enjoy loosening up these types of settings.

Atmosphere

The successful and memorable Christmas party is often about atmosphere. Therefore, building a fire, having music going, and helping people to feel welcome makes the party a place that people want to stay. Sometimes creating a memorable Christmas party is about creating a legacy. In other words, when people have fun, they may be more prone to come back next year. The individual party itself may not be spectacular but when people look forward to the "annual" party at your house you are filling, for all practical purposes, the memorable party.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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