Holiday Party Planning Family Gathering
With most North American families, it’s a tradition to get together for major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. For some, it’s one of the few times each year that they take a break from their busy lives to get together as a family—especially if they must travel from out of town. Since these occasions are times to share memories, get brought up to speed on everyone’s news, and renew family ties, these dinners and get-togethers are vitally important as a major part of your holiday party planning.
For some families, these are entirely happy, fun gatherings, but let’s face it, in most families there will be times when one family member isn’t getting along with another or when kids very reluctantly tag along. And if you’re the host or hostess year after year, perhaps you’re not entirely happy with hosting the event and providing most of the food as well. Rather than face another family holiday gathering as a chore and a bore, plan ahead. And take on a whole new perspective: instead of treating it as a mere tradition, look at it as a chance to party!
First of all, if you’re playing host, decide who’s coming. For family gatherings, that’s easy. But for Fourth of July parties—which are typically barbeques or pool parties that include friends as well—you’ll have to give the matter some thought. Once you have the guest list drawn up, make the phone calls and begin sending the e-mails early. In fact, if you initiate contact well enough in advance, there’s time for you to send humorous or thoughtful invitation cards by snail mail. Remember, the idea is to change everyone’s view on the event: this gathering is going to be a happy party!
Later, send follow-up e-mails or phone and let them know what dishes they can bring. That will take some of the pressure off you. Also, let them know if you have any special activities or games planned. C’mon! Break loose and plan even a brief game of charades or mime! (With some formal families, it’d be better to plan some fun but not actually tell them ahead of time, simply spring it on them “spontaneously” at an opportune moment.) And to make sure that all the adults have an interesting, enjoyable time—and feel loved—do a little research on the Internet on either their line of work or on their favorite pastime or hobby. That way you’ll be able to talk intelligently about something that matters to them. When they leave, it’s guaranteed they’ll remark on what a good time they’ve had, and if family relationships needed a little mending, well, you’ve done your part to remind them that such gatherings are fun times.
The key is to treat holidays as parties. Sure, there will still be all the cooking and cleaning to do, no way out of that. But by putting just a tad more planning and imagination into a holiday gathering ahead of time, you can add so much happiness and harmony to the event. And you’ll have created a new family memory: for years afterwards they’ll still remember that as the year they had the gathering at your place!
