3 hosting tips for a better neighbourhood Christmas party

Organizing a big Christmas party for the whole block is a popular Canadian tradition. With so much space to utilize, smart decorating is key. Here are a few tips to help simplify the process.
'Tis the season for merriment all over the neighbourhood. There are dozens of guests, plenty of food, carol-singing and, of course, a beautiful and lavishly decorated setting. One key element in any successful neighbourhood Christmas party is a well-developed decoration scheme. If you're a new host, here are three essential decorating tips to keep in mind this holiday season.

Understated decor will always have a place in society, but that place is not at a multifamily Christmas party. Parents want to be dazzled, but they also want their young children to be captivated by the spirit of the holidays. The best way to catch — and keep — the young ones' attention is with an engaging setting. Use every resource you have at your disposal: a beautiful evergreen tree, clippings from the tree to spread around the house, extra tree decorations set on side tables and counters, tinsel on the banisters, paper snowflakes on the walls.

That's right — not only is holiday food a necessary treat for guests, but it contributes to the overall holiday theme in your home. Christmas cookies, cupcakes, butter tarts and savoury nibbles should not be hidden away in the fridge. Instead, arrange beautiful trays of baked treats throughout the house so that guests can see them and eat whatever they want. Pretty Christmas cookies and even generic snacks like potato chips make a home seem much more inviting.

Many party hosts believe the television should remain switched off while guests are present, but for neighbourhood Christmas parties, that need not be the case. You can make your neighbours feel even more comfortable if you put together a Christmas playlist of old and new songs and videos. Keep it playing throughout the party, and when the little ones start to get restless, put on a cheery holiday movie. The images of snowmen, tin soldiers and kids unwrapping presents truly does add a special touch to the atmosphere.

Remember to offer plenty of food and drinks and arrange a few fun activities for the kids and adults. The more work you put into the party, the more it will pay off.