How to: Throw a Holiday Costume Party

Have you been thinking about hosting a holiday party this year, but waffling every time you almost commit and send out an email or set up a Facebook event? That’s understandable - holiday parties are overwhelming even when you’re not the one hosting them. And now, holiday parties are so much more than singing a few carols and exchanging fruitcake. They are full-on extravaganzas with white elephant gift exchanges and costume contests and fanfare of all sorts. (Anyone ever had to dress up as each of the twelve separate items and characters during a group rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas?) The holiday spirit can get lost quickly in these events, and even before they begin if you’re the one doing all the planning.

 Still, there’s something about hosting a holiday party in your own space that feels festive in a way that’s different from parties or gatherings you may host throughout the year. Maybe it’s that special sense of anticipation that’s just more accessible when everyone else is feeling it, too. Maybe it’s that seeing your friends and family has that much more value during the darker, colder months. Or maybe it’s the sense of guiltlessness while enjoying holiday drinks, meals, and desserts around the holidays - after all, it’s only once a year.

 We want you to be able to host that party in the most stress free way possible. So here are a few tips to get you going:

Choose a Theme, But Don’t Be Too Strict

 With so many possible holiday party themes to choose from, it can be tempting to just abandon a theme altogether and tell people to come dressed as whatever they want. The problem with this is that you will probably have most of your guests show up in normal street clothes with no costume or holiday wear whatsoever. So, choose a theme, like Santa and the Elves, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, or Inanimate Holiday Objects (our Christmas tree costume and candy cane costume are two of our favorites in this category). Once you’ve chosen a theme, you can easily extend flexibility to guests who ask to deviate from the theme or whose kids are set on a particular costume that’s superhero or Disney themed instead of holiday themed.

Plan Your Own Costume Well in Advance

 You’ll always end up underestimating how much time you have and overestimating how much you can do in that time when you’re planning a holiday party. Don’t let your own costume wait in your online cart until days before the party - snag it now, hang it up in your closet, and get excited every time you look at it, remembering why you agreed to host the annual holiday party this year in the first place.

Be Prepared With Extras

 When you’re ordering your own costume or ugly sweater, don’t forget to order a few extra holiday themed accessories to have available at the party as well. Chances are, someone will forget to bring a costume or you’ll have a few last minute attendees. Worst case scenario, you’ve got some fabulous door prizes to raffle off at the end of the night.