“Paramount” Tips for Hosting a Successful Holiday Party

Whether you’d like to sit back and relax or not, the holidays are the time of year for entertaining. So put on your best party face and get to it. Of course, hosting a holiday party isn’t easy, with so many details to cover and components to tend to. Here to help is Jodi Fyfe, owner of Paramount Events and party-hosting maestro. Regard this as a go-to party manual for the season.

First, you might consider engaging a caterer for holiday parties. Why? “Hiring someone to set the food out, bartender, and bus will make your entertaining run smoother and you’ll actually get to see your guests,” explains Fyfe. Less work for you to worry about, more fun to be had. Plus a catering company is duly equipped to ensure all necessary flatware, china, glassware, and linens are present and accounted for, something that often beleaguers hosts.

On the top of prep hosts forget to do, Fyfe starts with the closet. “Don’t forget to clear room in your front closet for guests to hang their heavy winter coats,” she says. “Or if it is a larger party, hire a coat check attendant through your catering company that can assist guests with their coast throughout the evening.” Pointing again to the glassware issue, Fyfe says that guests rarely hold onto the same glass the entire evening, so one glass per guest is never enough. “Either bring out the disposable cups or call in reinforcements by having your catering company bring in the extra glassware.” And what goes with glassware? Ice. Don’t forget to purchase ample ice from the store or start your home ice machine a week before any events.

Looking for shortcuts to make for a great party? “If you are making the food yourself, stick to what you know,” says Fyfe. “Or if you are stepping outside of the box, do a test run the week before so you know how to make it and what tweaks to make.” Since dessert can easily turn into an afterthought or extra stressor, she advises ordering a pie or dessert, explaining “you still get the homemade taste and flavor, but it’s one less thing to worry about!” She also likes greeting guests with fun signature cocktails, as it helps shy guests feel a part of the group right away and facilitates conversation (hiring a bartender is also a nice touch for fancying up a party). Place cards at the dinner table are also a good bet for getting people familiar with one another and making everyone feel welcome.

“Set up days in advance. Even the place settings,” Fyfe says. “That may seem a bit strange, but it really cuts down on the pre-party stress. That way you can focus on just the cooking and small details in the hours before your party.”

For decor inspiration, some of Fyfe’s holiday go-to ideas include glass jars filled with mini holiday lights, sequined table runners, leftover produce repurposed as bowled centerpieces, and glass vases lined with ornaments placed throughout the house.

And finally, when it comes time to put food together, Fyfe has some handy advice. “Herbs, spices, and interesting ingredients paired together, such as jicama and oranges create new twists on classic dishes.” And if you’d like to try your hand at homemade dessert, a “snowball” of ice cream rolled in crushed candy canes or coconut flakes with hot fudge makes for a nice, festive finale.

Paramount Events
1932 W. Lake Street, Chicago
(773) 880-8044
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