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Having a holiday open house is a great way to share the joy of the season with friends and family with a minimum of effort and expense. With the hustle and bustle of getting ready for their own festivities, your guests may appreciate the opportunity of stopping by for a short visit rather than devoting a whole evening to an elaborate party. Some seasonal music, a variety of food and drinks, and smells of the season are all it takes to create a festive atmosphere. Hundreds of holiday CDs are available ranging from religious to humorous, so it should be easy to find plenty of selections to suit your taste. Simple snacks and desserts are appropriate for an open house, but you may wish to have buffet or soup bar, or serve a specialty you are known for. If you have done any baking, the aroma of Christmas is probably already in the air. If you need a little help, candles scented of evergreen, sugar cookies or spices will remind everyone that it's that time of year again. Keeping the open house simple gives you more time to enjoy the celebration, however the options of added activities and special features are limited only by your imagination. If you plan to make the open house an annual event, providing a special treat for your guests will make them look forward to coming next year. If you enjoying baking, a small plate of Christmas cookies or candy makes a nice gift. Another idea is to decorate a small tree with handmade or inexpensive ornaments and invite each guest to take one as they leave. If several children will be dropping in, prepare a table with construction paper and various artwork supplies, and invite them to create a Christmas card for your mantle. Regardless of what you plan, be sure the emphasis is on visiting with your guests. If you wish to finish the evening with a "grand finale" a visit from Santa is the perfect solution. Other hosts enjoy inviting their guests to go caroling with them at the end of the event. If you plan any special activities, be sure to include the information on the invitations so your guests can plan accordingly. With a little organization you will have plenty of time to devote to your guests while still keeping everything flowing smoothly for a memorable open house. |