Hi Everyone,
I am planning a Christmas party for our friends and families ( kids will be attending) I was planning on a formal dinner but decided not to go that way as I want everyone to feel comfortable and welcomed. So I am still planning on a very nice sophisticated party but will be serving many many hors d' oeuvres so it will be very filling as I plan on having many options with food, desserts and drinks. However I am trying to figure out what will be the best day to have this party. It has to be the week of Christmas as my husband does not have to work and will be home. I was thinking Sat, Dec 24th around 6pm but I don't want to party too late on Christmas Eve so I was thinking Fri, Dec 23rd but was worried about those that may have to work but it will not interfere with everyone's actually Christmas Eve or Day and they can enjoy it with the family. What date do you think will work best? Fri or Sat. I didn't want to do during the weekday as many people work and may not be able to attend or really enjoy themselves :)
Another questions I have is how can I word on the invitation that I would want everyone to dress up nicely for the party. I am not asking for formal dress in a tux or evening gown but I would like everyone to wear nice dresses for women or pant suit whatever they are more comfortable in and the guys to look nice as well. I don't want folks showing up in their jeans and snow boots, lol. I don't mind guys wearing jeans if they pair it nicely with a nice sweater or collard shirt. I don't want to offend anyone but I would like everyone to look their best :)
Overall I just want a nice party with great friends and family, food, wine, and lots of laughs.
Any ideas for games or activities are welcomed as well as we will be allowing kids to come.
Thanks for your help and ideas.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
sounds like your dress code is smart casual, so be sure to put that on your invitation so people are not over or under dressed. I personally wouldnt host a party on xmas eve, too many people have their own xmas eve traditions and I bet a lot would prefer to spend it at home. Or would want to leave early or not want to drink to get home and prepared for xmas day. The 23rd sounds fine, close to christmas but not too close. If the party is at 6 then most people will be home from work by then
For the day of your party, It sounds like Saturday would work the best. If you're worried about staying up too late, you could always make the party start a bit earlier? Or kick everyone out around 11pm.. Solid 5hr party. (I usually stay up until around midnight on Christmas eve, so that would be early for me)
On the invitations you could put 'semi-formal'
For me, that would imply:
That the men should wear a suit (not a tux)
That the women should wear a nice dress (not a gown)
Or you could put 'semi-casual'
For me, that would imply:
That the men should wear casual pants (not jeans) and an open neck dress shirt or polo.
And
That the women should wear a casual dress, skirt and nice top, or pants and a nice top.
Anyways, it sounds like it would be a fun party :D I hope it's great and that you figure out the dates and dress thing.