1. Save the Date
As with most big events, knowing when it’s going down is useful in planning. If you’re throwing a holiday party, be sure to consider that this is finals season and your friends may have unusual schedules, but it’s never too late! People may go home early or to study, and finals can be at the most unpredictable time of day. Do your best to pick a day that works for the majority of your guests, but also be flexible to change if it isn’t working out!
2. Choose a Theme
It’s my firm belief that the best parties have a fun theme. For the holidays you can play it safe and throw an ugly sweater party or you could get more creative with it! Some ideas for unique themes include incorporating your friends’ favorite TV show or asking everyone to dress up like one of your professors. While it can be a hoot to go all out with the theme, you can also keep it more lowkey (and more budget-friendly!).
3. All Good Parties Have Food
You know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s nothing more exciting when you’re a little intoxicated than stumbling upon unexpected free food. If you want to be the hostess that all of your friends will be talking about for the rest of the school year, you need to have food at your party. Your friends will appreciate you providing even just a bag of chips to munch on, but I’m a fan of making a homemade dish, especially since a lot of your friends probably don’t have time to cook during finals!
4. Think About Drinks
While this primarily refers to alcoholic beverages, you should consider having virgin options for your friends who don’t want to drink for one reason or another. As far as alcohol is concerned, I prefer letting guests mix their own drinks so that everyone is happy with their drink strength. This could look as simple as providing liquor to spike hot chocolate! Additionally, you may want to have lighter options such as beer, wine, or seltzers.
5. Invite Your Friends
Arguably the most important part – the guest list! Whether your party is a big celebration of the end of the semester or a small, cozy get-together, I highly suggest tailoring your guest list for how you want your night to go. If you have friends from your early dorm years but you haven’t talked in a while, don’t feel guilty about not sending them an invite. With that, if some of your friends have been stirring up trouble within your group or otherwise acting up, don’t let them and their negative energy come mess up your night! You have the power to surround yourself with only the people who lift you up.
6. Prep & Party!
Now to put it all together! If you’re able to, try to start prepping in the days leading up to your party. This could mean recruiting your roommates to help clean your apartment, making some cookies and tucking them away, or buying the necessary alcohol. Once the big day comes though, make sure to enjoy yourself! You put in all of this effort to have the party of the year, so enjoy the rewards of your hard work. The whole point of this celebration is to be with the people you care about and have a fun night together. Out of everything that goes into planning a party, the most important part is to know when to be done.
Happy holidays & happy planning!
P.S. You can always go above and beyond with a specially curated playlist!