Now, to be frank, when you consider planning your holiday party in early November, you are likely to think, It is too early! I get it. The decorations still are not even up and we are talking about party planning. However, here is the point: the most effective, stress-free and memorable holiday parties do not occur by accident. They are the fruit of good planning that begins long before the first snow hits.
Let’s talk about why it is not only a good idea to begin planning your holiday party but the key to actually having fun at your own party.
The Venue Situation Is Real
You remember last year when you said, “I will get that ideal venue within a few weeks? And then a few weeks melted away into December and one day all the decent places were full? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
The reality is, prime spots are taken quicker than you can imagine. It could be a quaint restaurant, a stylish events center or even something a bit different such as commercial boat services to inspire a nautical-themed party; whatever the case, the most desirable are being booked as we speak. Not next month. Not in three weeks. Now.
You are not only getting a space when you begin your search today–you are getting your choice of the best dates and times. Desire that desirable Friday night slot? It is most likely not yet sold, but it will not last long. And, the early booking usually implies superior bargaining strength in the price, which leads to our next point.
Your Budget Will Thank You
As you begin planning early, you will have the advantage of time to go and do shopping, compare prices and enjoy early booking fees that many vendors give.
Consider this: caterers, photographers, entertainers and decorators are all in their busy season. Book them today and you are a dream client, organized, prepared and giving them a lot of time to plan. Book them in three weeks? You are competing with 10+ other last minute planners, and prices are on scale with that demand.
You can also take time to spread the costs and not be hit with everything at once. Requirement to have some custom decorations or specialized supplies? Placing orders early can save on shipping fees and help you avoid those fears of missing the shipment fees that can increase your costs by half.
The Catering Conundrum Becomes Complicated.
When it comes to great holiday parties, food is usually the main event and getting good catering takes even more lead-time than most people would guess. Professional catering firms are plotting their December plans at this time, and their calendars are filled fast.
Early dining lets you converse with the servers extensively to discuss menu choices, dietary needs, and special orders. Want a themed menu or have to meet a variety of dietary requirements? These discussions are time consuming and rushing them results in a failed process.
To people who are in need of convenience and not compromising on quality, the discovery of Christmas meal delivery options will now give you the ability to enjoy the entire spectrum of services and menu items. Wait until December and you may be obliged to take what there is left–unless there is any left at all.
Creativity Needs Time to Breathe.
This is what most people fail to take into account: there should be time to come up with and implement great party ideas. Planning early does not mean that you are committed to the first thought that comes to you. You are free to brainstorm, research, polish, and even make your vision come true.
Love the winter wonderland theme? A retro ugly sweater bash? An elaborate cocktail night? All these concepts demand various components such as decorations, music, activities, and ambience. A hurry to this process tends to provide a mishmash of half-finished concepts instead of a unified, enjoyable experience.
Ordering of custom elements that genuinely make your party shine can also be ordered now. It could be the creation of custom invitations, thematic decorations that must be tailor-made, or even the creation of personalized marketing flags to direct your guests to your facility, these details will take time to be produced. Rush-orders do not usually work out well compared to things that are done carefully and attentively.
Guest Availability: More Than You Think.
December is chaotic. Among work parties, family commitments, school functions and travel arrangements, your guests are the ones who are filling up their schedules at a rapid pace. With save-the-date or invitations, you are staking your place on their calendar before it becomes a juggling game.
This is particularly essential when you have a bigger party in mind or when the main figures (such as colleagues, customers or some of your relatives) are vital to your celebration. Get people a heads up and they will shift things to be present. Wait to the last moment, and you will have a chorus of I wish I could, but I already have plans.
Planning on your part is another advantage of early communication. You will have a clearer understanding of the number of attendees, which directly influences such aspects as venue size, the quantity of catering, etc. There is no longer any need to order food to serve 50 people when you can only serve 30, nor to scramble to serve 20 more than you had intended.
Stress Is No Decoration on the Holiday.
Speaking about the elephant in the room, last-minute party planning is extremely stressful. It turns what should have been a happy party into an issue of anxiety, stress and incessant worry that something will go wrong.
By planning today you are doing away with the panic. Buffer time is added to allow things to not work out as well (because we all know that something always requires tuning). Your vendor cancels? You can afford to get a substitute. Your original theme is not coming together? You do not have to start all over again.
This buffer time also implies that you can enjoy the planning process in reality. You are able to anticipate it and actually enjoy it, rather than it being on your list of things to do constantly. You will make more effective decisions when you are not in a hurry, and you will recognize possible issues and prevent them before they transform into real catastrophes.
The DIY Element Takes Longer Than It Should.
Some of the elements you want to plan for yourself? DIY projects can never be finished in time whether it is decorations, party favors or a signature cocktail. Early onset means you can tackle these projects in bits as opposed to having to pull all-nighters the week before your party.
You will even be able to test things. The Pinterest-perfect dessert? Make it once as a trial run. Those homemade centerpieces? Make one whether it does look good and can be reproduced. Planning early transforms experimental projects into elaborated details.
Make this Holiday Season stand out.
This year, you can really look forward to your holiday party, as opposed to dreading it. Imagine that you are enjoying the event you have designed instead of scurrying about with last minute problems. That is what you present yourself with when you begin planning today.
It should be celebrating, connecting, and joyful holidays and not about stress and scrambling. When you act now you are positioning yourself to have a holiday party where people will talk about all the good things.
So what are you waiting for? Get out that calendar, begin writing down ideas, and place that initial vendor call. You will be thanked by your future self when he/she is relaxed, happy and really enjoying the party he/she has thrown.
