Season’s Greetings Chicago! Holiday parties with family and friends help you make the most of this festive time of year. While there are fantastic restaurants and venues all over Rogers Park, the Gold Coast, and many other Chicago neighborhoods, hosting people at your home offers a more personal and intimate change of pace from busy hot spots. While it may seem like a lot of work, throwing a memorable celebration can be simple and stress-free with these holiday party planning tips for Chicago residents:
Plan the Perfect Party Atmosphere
Do you want a cozy, quiet party where people can chat easily? A high-energy bash? A formal dinner party? Choosing a party personality will streamline the planning process and make selecting décor, music, and even refreshments easier.
For example, if your goal is to have everyone catch up and talk, you can set up “conversation stations” with groups of chairs, play soothing music in the background, and serve winter drinks like mulled wine and hot chocolate. If you’re looking for a more energetic evening, you can push chairs against the wall to open up space, create a high-energy holiday playlist, and serve food and drinks that are easy to carry and nibble on as people walk around and mingle.
Shop Local: Where to Find Holiday Party Supplies in Chicago
Celebrate the season and support local small businesses at the same time by stocking up on party supplies from nearby Chicago purveyors. These popular Rogers Park shops feature a variety of wines, craft beers, spirits, cheese boards, snacks, and more.
Picnic Wine & Provisions: Curated Wines and Cheeses
Taste Food & Wine: Holiday Snacks and More
Rogers Park Provisions: Your One-Stop Shop for Spirits
Add a Signature Twist to Your Holiday Party
Creating a signature cocktail/mocktail with a personalized name makes a party even more unique. You can invent one from scratch or take an existing recipe and swap out an ingredient for one of your own. Drinks are not the only refreshment that can be turned into a signature item – you can also set your party apart with a one-of-a-kind dip, dessert, or hors d’oeuvre, in addition to the standard fare everyone expects.
Simple Tips to Structure Your Party Experience
Adding a little structure can provide a more enjoyable experience for your guests. If your party includes sets of people who don’t know each other, consider name tags and/or formal conversation starters to help people connect. One reason “Ugly Sweater” parties are popular is that they instantly open a conversation for people and foster a lighthearted guest experience.
Turn Hosting into a Shared Experience
Before the party, ask a few trusted friends to be in charge of small jobs. This will take the pressure off of you to do it all. You can ask one person to keep snack bowls filled while guests are there, another to stay until the end to help straighten up, and so on. Some people find parties more satisfying when they are given a way to contribute to the festivities.
To our residents, we are grateful you’re a part of our TAWANI Property Management family and hope you enjoy your celebrations. We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season!