The first recorded Christmas celebrations occurred in 336 CE in the Roman Empire. Hannukah is even older, being celebrated in the 2nd century BCE.

The winter season is a magical time of year for millions of people worldwide, and many of those people choose to celebrate it by throwing a party. However, holiday parties tend to differ a bit from other parties and doing it wrong can result in a very uncomfortable event.

The good news is that you don't have to go it alone. We'll offer some excellent holiday party planning tips in this article.

1. Stay Safe & Comfortable

If you're wondering how to prepare your house for a holiday party, the first step is to make sure it's safe. Check to see if all of the smoke detectors are working, and make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector.

Keep your guests comfortable by setting the thermostat 3 – 5 degrees lower a few hours prior to the party. As people fill the home, the temperature will rise, but remain comfortable for your guests.

2. Make a Menu

Roughly 1 out of every 20 Americans are vegetarians, and a large number of others are vegan. That means there's a pretty good chance that at least one of your guests won't eat meat. Make sure to set out vegetarian or vegan options so that they can join in on the fun.

This step in the party planning guide is easy because holiday parties don't often have a lot of meat dishes. You could probably get by with cookies and eggnog. Also, when buying eggnog, make sure you get at least some non-alcoholic options.

Also, check dietary restrictions and make sure it's safe for everyone to eat.

3. Party Favors and Gift Boxes

The best kinds of parties are the ones that don't end when the guests leave. Party favors and gift boxes can help ensure that your guests remember the party long after it's over.

You can put any number of things in the boxes, but the best option is to make it holiday-themed. Try putting in cookies, candy, or even a hot chocolate kit.

4. Time it Right

The holiday season is a hectic time, so planning a holiday party can be difficult. One of the best holiday party planning tips we can offer is to plan the party when people aren't likely to be busy.

This is easy for an office party, where the boss, to a large extent, decides when everyone is busy. In other settings, you'll need to plan around work. Saturdays are a very popular day for house parties. It occurs after people have had time to cool off from work, but it is early enough in the weekend that people will still have an opportunity to relax at home.

Holiday Party Tips for Any Setting

Holiday parties offer a chance to get away from the hustle and stress of the season. Unfortunately, an uncomfortable or unsafe party won't do anybody much good. That's why it's important to plan your party ahead of time.

Hosting a good holiday party isn't possible with a bad HVAC system. Before you invite a slew of guests, be sure to have your HVAC system checked. Request an appointment today.