6 Tips for How to Host the Ultimate Friendsmas Party
Check out the recent ApartmentGuide article we were featured in. Read the full article written by Kaitlyn Neitman below:
The holiday season is the perfect time for gathering and celebrating with those we love. While family dinners and company holiday parties are typically first to mind, you can’t forget to make time to celebrate with your friends, too. What better way to bring a festive spin to a great hangout than a Friendsmas party? You’ve probably heard of Friendsgiving, and now Friendsmas is here to keep those good times rolling with your crew all throughout the winter season.
Whether you’re cozied up against the cold in your apartment in Chicago, IL, welcoming your friends into your new home in Houston, TX, or bringing a festive vibe to your rental house in Denver, CO, these expert tips will help you throw the ultimate Friendsmas party that your friends will look forward to all year long.
1. Plan out your Friendsmas party details
Friendsmas is a relatively new phenomenon, which means there are endless possibilities for what it should look and feel like for you and your specific friend group. While you might want to dive right into your decorative Christmas tree ideas, it’s important to take a moment to plan how you want your party to go. When will it be? What will you serve your friends? Will there be a gift exchange? From the guest list to the smallest tasks on your cleaning checklist, coming up with a good plan will help kick your Friendsmas party off to a great start.
Start with the basic structure
“Thoughtful planning allows you to relax and focus on connecting with your friends, so we suggest careful planning in advance,” shares Kate of Ink + Volt, your go-to for planners, notebooks, stationary, and more. “Be thoughtful about who to invite. You want to pick a group that knows each other well enough to be able to make conversation, share thoughtful gifts, and feel at ease around each other. Visualizing your Friendsmas party and thinking about what elements will make it flow smoothly can help you create checklists to methodically work through essential tasks leading up to the event without any last-minute panic.”
2. Consider your options for food
One of the biggest things to think about when hosting any party is whether you’ll be cooking. It’s important to consider the amount of space you have to work with, dietary restrictions, and timing, among other things. From unique Christmas dinners to cheerful desserts, there are so many options for what your Friendsmas party food could be. Here’s what the experts have to say about Friendsmas food:
Smart prep strategies
Lindsay, recipe blogger at Wine, Food, & Friends, brings everyday gourmet recipes to your kitchen. Here are her top tips for preparing yourself and your space for a Friendsmas party:
- Planning out your meal and timing it backwards from your serving time will give you a schedule to follow while entertaining guests and take the guesswork out of what should go on the heat when.
- Pre-making everything you can will make it easier to navigate limited stove, oven, and counter space. Even pre-making parts of a dish to heat, assemble, and serve when your Friendsmas party starts will make things easier.
- Setting up a self-serve drink station with a variety of options will save you time from making individual drinks for everyone.
- Remember, everyone will want to gather around where you are – which means the kitchen! Set up your space so that everyone can gather and chat with you without having to dodge a hot dish coming out of the oven.
Let your guests pitch in
Make a theme that everyone can contribute to
“Hosting a Friendsmas party does not have to be stressful,” says recipe blogger Madison of Joyfully Mad, sharing wholesome, easy dishes. “The best way to limit stress is by asking for and accepting help. Plan your party around a theme that encourages people to bring a food or drink to share. Consider a wine and appetizer party, a cookie exchange, or a celebration with holiday foods from around the world. Your friends will love bringing a food gift to share – and it will reduce the load on you as the host!”
Create a unique charcuterie feast
“Real friends don’t let friends take on all of the work for a good Friendsmas party alone,” states Holly of lifestyle blog Southern Mom Loves. “Everyone loves charcuterie, so have everyone plan their own board to bring. You can send out a shared Google Sheets document so each person can sign up for their own themed board and let them go wild! From sandwiches to wings to chocolate boards, the possibilities are endless.”
Encourage a potluck that showcases everyone’s skills
As the frugal author of My Thrifty Life by Cassie Fairy, a thrifty blog for living a full life on a budget, Cassie always keeps money saving options in mind whenever she’s planning a Friendsmas party. “I ask my friends to each bring a dish to contribute,” she says. “That way, no one person has to splash out for all the food, and we can all show off our baking skills. I personally like to follow this cola ham with maple glaze recipe – it’s always a winner!”
Create a festive spread worthy of a Friendsmas party
“Make your Friendsmas food display as festive as the party,” recommends the team from Dream Events & Catering, a Nashville, TN based event company. Stick to a fun color palette like red, green, and gold, and thrift for unique serving pieces like vintage trays or cake stands. You can make stands for small plates by using upside down wine glasses and add a holiday twist with a sprig of greenery or an ornament underneath. String lights or tea candles tucked around your dishes can add warmth. Top things off with holiday-themed garnishes like cranberries or rosemary sprigs, edible flowers, or even holiday-shaped cheeses and fruit.”
Save time and support a local business by ordering in
“As a busy mom who owns an independent interior design firm, the holiday season – while magical – can be a lot,” acknowledges Katie of Issaquah, WA interior design firm Wildflower Interiors. For the last few holidays, I have ordered takeout from a delicious local cafe. Ordering food really helps by taking the cooking and cleaning off your list. Use some fun plates and glasses to enjoy a meal cooked by someone else so you can focus on setting the scene of coziness and warmth. Tapered candles, indirect lighting, and pillows and blankets sprinkled around the living room by the tree will help create a comfortable home experience for a perfect Friendsmas party that your friends will love.”
3. Set up a cozy drink station
A cozy drink station with festive flair is a must for any Friendsmas party. If you’re hosting in a toasty, warm winter area like Tucson, AZ, try adding fresh fruit and green garnishes to chilled cocktails or sangrias. For frosty and cold spots, like Boston, MA, Heather from Christmas Design Institute has a great tip for keeping your friends warm:
“My one favorite thing to create for a Friendsmas party is a warm beverage bar that creates a cozy atmosphere. Have a variety of drinks available like hot cocoa, mulled wine, and hot apple cider with mix-ins like peppermint schnapps, cinnamon schnapps, and Bailey’s. Have toppings like mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, chocolate spoons, whipped cream, and chocolate chips available for guests to customize their drinks. It can be a great conversation starter.”
4. You can’t leave out the dessert
“For a Friendsmas party dessert, consider whether you’re going for impressive and elegant, or cozy and casual,” offers Amee, recipe blogger of Live to Sweet, sharing dessert recipes to make from scratch. “If you want to feature seasonal flavors, peppermint, chocolate, eggnog, cranberry, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and clove are all delicious options. Desserts you can prepare in advance before your friends arrive will leave you more time to enjoy the party, too!”
5. Decide on the vibe you want to create
Once you’ve got the basics covered for your Friendsmas party, you can jump into decorating. Whether you’re going for unique holiday decor, a casually festive vibe, or you want to transform your home into the set of your crew’s favorite TV show, our experts have a number of great ideas to make your Friendsmas party pop.
Go with a theme
What better way to celebrate Friendsmas in an apartment than with a Friends TV show theme? Anita, writer of A Joyful Ordinary Life blog, hosted her own Friendsmas party with this unforgettable idea, complete with decorations, food, and favors with inspiration from the show. “Decorate your space with Central Perk-inspired details, and bring out the Friends LEGO set for a fun hands-on activity for your guests after dinner,” says Anita. “Recreate the iconic dishes from the series, like Monica’s whipped potatoes with peas and onions, and Rachel’s infamous trifle – don’t worry, the recipe I found will taste yummy! Keep the vibe relaxed and lighthearted, just like the show, and don’t forget to queue up the holiday episodes for the perfect backdrop.”
Opt for festive vibes
“My tips for hosting a Friendsmas party are to make it feel easy but elevated. Details that feel fancy but are easy to incorporate, like adding frozen cranberries and fresh mint leaves to water pitchers or setting out fresh fruit for guests to add to their drinks, are a simple way to make things look festive. And remember, your friends don’t care if your tree leans a little. Relax and enjoy your guests – your joy sets the tone for the celebration!” – Shanelle of Mochas and Mimosas, a recipe blog and resource for restaurant reviews.
“Decorate by filling clear glass bowls with colorful ornaments, pinecones, fresh greenery, or faux snow. Add a holiday themed backdrop with string lights and a “Friendsmas” garland, perfect for capturing memories with your friends.” – Melanie of DIY and interior decorating blog, Southern Crush at Home.
Set the mood with holiday music
“You’ll need live music!” exclaim Tara and Jacob of Sweet Harmony Music. “Depending on the size of your space, a live musician will take your Friendsmas party to the next level. In a spacious, multi-room apartment, a violinist playing traditional carols will bring warmth and elegance to the evening. The soft sounds of an acoustic guitar are perfect for a smaller studio. If you set up a keyboardist or guitarist in a room where everyone will fit, you can even do a holiday singalong.”
Maximize your space and time
Whether you’re hosting your Friendsmas party on the rooftop deck of your apartment or you’re keeping the festivities within your own unit, you’ll have to work out the best way to use the space you have. “Hosting a Friendsmas party in an apartment is all about maximizing space while creating a cozy, festive atmosphere,” shares Tamara, CEO of Rockwall Christmas Company in Rockwall, TX. “Start with a themed focal point like a Christmas tree or a table centerpiece to set the mood. Keep foods and cocktails simple yet festive, and incorporate some interactive elements to make your gathering memorable and fun.”
6. It’s not a Friendsmas party without some fun
With a plethora of holiday activities to choose from, Friendsmas is the perfect opportunity to put a fun spin on tradition with your friends. Whether it’s a game like the white elephant gift exchange or the saran wrap ball game, or an epic holiday craft session, some good entertainment will keep your guests engaged and excited throughout your party.
Host a friendly cookie competition
“Set the stage for creativity with a variety of cookies you can decorate together,” suggests Esther, owner of Sprinkle Bee Sweet, your one-stop sprinkle shop. Encourage your friends to bring their favorite cookies to decorate, or provide some alongside colorful icing, festive holiday sprinkles, and toppings. Consider holding a friendly competition for the most festive Friendsmas creation.”
Get your craft on
“Try a decoupage crafting session for a cozy and creative Friendsmas party activity,” shares Emily of Decoupage Napkins. “Stock your table with supplies like decorative napkins, rice papers, paint, and varnish from Decoupage Napkins to make personalized home décor. For a smooth experience, provide your guests with prepped surfaces like coasters, cleaned mason jars, or primed serving trays. Check out our blog for inspiration and tutorials for holiday ideas – and ideas for year-round décor.”
Add some magical mystery
“If you’re having a Secret Santa gift exchange for your Friendsmas party (and you should!) here are some golden tips to make everything run as smoothly as possible,” add Mari and Carol, party planners at Seattle, WA based Party By Me:
- Limit group size to 10-20 at most.
- Define the rules so everyone can prepare and make the most of it.
- Have guests describe unique quirks and characteristics about their Secret Santa so the group can guess their names, or provide a template to help them.
- Set the gift value range – and enforce it – to align expectations and avoid frustrations. You could also try making a gift theme, like books, so everyone gets something similar.
Your friends will be looking forward to this Friendsmas party all year long
If you’re not already on top of the Friendsmas trend, these expert tips are sure to make it a new permanent tradition in your friend group. Gathering and celebrating with those we love is arguably the most important part of the holiday season. No matter where you are, from Los Angeles, CA to Providence, RI, bring out your favorite Christmas games, grab your favorite folks, and make this the most memorable Friendsmas yet.
I hope you enjoyed this fabulous article and saved many of the ideas for your next Friendsmas celebration.
