Tips for Hosting a Holiday Party

This post is sponsored by General Mills, but all opinions are my own.

These tips will help you be the ultimate host this holiday party season!

If you are looking for an easy tablescape tip, follow this guide HERE.

Hosting a holiday party can be overwhelming, but by using these tips, you will be able to enjoy your company and throw an amazing get together!

I love hosting parties! I think it’s so fun seeing all of our friends and family gather at our house to celebrate whatever occasion may be going on! Making new memories with loved ones is so special.

Although I don’t host too often, but I’ve seen my mother-in-law host a lot and she’s such an incredible hostess that I have learned a lot from her.

We love shopping at Sam’s Club during the holidays so that we can get everything we need to celebrate! They carry brands we love so we can make yummy and unique recipes for all the merry moments this holiday season.

With the holidays around the corner, I thought I would round up my best tips for hosting so that if you have guests coming over, you will be extremely prepared and be a merry maker for your loved ones.

PLAN AHEAD

This may be a no brainer, but seriously, planning is the best thing you can do if you are hosting! The sooner you know you are hosting a party, the better, so you can begin to plan.
If you are sending out invites, send them at least 3-4 weeks ahead of time so you can get a head count. This will make prepping the food a lot easier.
Decide on the menu based on the head count and what will the most crowd pleasing.

VISIT SAM’S CLUB

I love shopping at Sam’s Club for big parties! It makes stocking up on holiday essentials really easy because they have everything you need!

When you know the menu, you can easily pick up all your holiday food at Sam’s Club—no need to run all over the place to get everything you need!

TAKE SOME HELP FROM A BOX

Hosting is a lot of work from start to finish so use boxed goods when available

I love using Betty Crocker Triple Chocolate Brownies—they are always a crowd pleaser! They are so easy to make and I feel everyone loves a good gooey brownie during the holidays, plus you can make them ahead

Sam’s Club has tons of amazing brands to choose from with really delicious options that you can make into new recipes for all of your guests to enjoy

Some of our other favorites include: Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls (a holiday tradition for us!), Pillsbury Sugar Cookies (fun to decorate with guests at your party!), PB Kiss Cookies (great to give as gifts), Pillsbury Rolled Pie Crust (make all the yummy pies this time of year)

PREP, CLEAN, LAY OUT DISHES

Prep dishes ahead of time that can be either frozen (if making well in advance) or stored in containers until the day of the party
Clean your house/area that will be seen by guests a few days ahead of time so you are not stressed about doing that on the day of the party
A couple days ahead of the party, lay out all the dishes/baking ware/silverware you will need for cooking and serving and label what each will be used for

HOLIDAY PARTY TIMELINE

3-4 weeks out: send invites and start receiving RSVPs
2-3 weeks out: start planning the menu
1 week out: shop at Sam’s Club for your party needs
1 week out: make any of the food ahead that you can so you can just pop it in the oven on party day (think items that can be frozen and reheated)
3-4 days out: make any dessert/dish that can be made ahead of time (think items that can be stored in an airtight container for a few days)
2 days before: lay out all the cook ware/serving ware and label what each will be used for
1 day before: clean the house/area your guests will see; set the table/buffet that your guests will be eating at
Morning of party: prep any dish that can be made a few hours ahead; add last minute details to the table
Party time: Put out apps before guests arrive, start the meals that take the longest, mingle with guests as they arrive, ENJOY all your hard work

I hope these tips and the timeline help you to throw amazing get togethers this holiday season! Whether it’s a large or small party, Sam’s Club has it all for you so you can make good food, spread good cheer, and be a merry maker :)

Thank you for stopping by the blog!

XO
-LA

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