The holiday season is here and spending these next months surrounded by the people you love is one of the most joyful experiences.

There are so many party-worthy dates coming up such as, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. If you want to host an awesome holiday party but aren’t sure where to start, read on for tips on what to consider when planning.

When and where

The first details you need to consider when planning your party are when and where. This goes beyond a simple time and place — you should think about what date will work best for guests and what is appropriate for the type of event.

Select a date that aligns with the occasion (for example, hosting a Thanksgiving-themed party in November), but avoid days when people are sure to be busy (such as scheduling that Thanksgiving party on Nov. 27).

When planning, think about making a list of dates that work for you and your event. Then, send the list to guests and ask which date works best. Choose the one that suits the majority for the best turnout.

As for the where, the most obvious choice is your house. However, you should make sure you are prepared to have people over. Think about whether you have enough space, whether your parents are willing and whether your house is clean. If you want to host a party but don’t think your home is ideal, consider co-hosting with a friend and doing it at their house or using an outside venue.

Food

Arguably the most important part of a party is the food. Food is the centerpiece of social interaction at an event, even if it’s something small.

If you don’t have the budget for a lot of food, there are some cheaper solutions. Pasta can be made in large quantities for a low cost, or you can offer appetizers such as cheese and crackers that won’t take as much out of your budget.

You can also consider doing a potluck-style party where you ask everyone to provide a dish to share with the group. If you are doing a potluck, make a group chat where everyone can list what they’re bringing to avoid repeats. Potlucks are perfect for events like friendsgiving, and it’s so much fun to see what everyone brings.

Ambiance

Ambiance is easy to achieve with some guidance — all you need to do is decorate your space to match your party. This sets the mood, provides photo opportunities and boosts social interaction.

Simple decorations can include balloons, streamers and colored lights. More intricate decorations can support a specific theme, such as garlands, lights and Christmas trees for a holiday party.

You can easily make DIY decorations—one of my favorite ideas is painting your own banner to take photos in front of.

Dress code can also contribute to ambiance. A Christmas party’s dress code could be anything from ugly sweaters to festive cocktail attire. So, make sure to include what guests should wear in order to set the right vibe.

Activities

Last but not least are the party activities. Nothing is worse than arriving at a party and everyone is standing there awkwardly looking at each other because there is nothing to do. That is why every party needs some sort of entertainment.

You can do just about anything: karaoke, crafts, board games and movie nights are simple to plan and add energy to the event.

To really boost morale even more, plan an activity catered to what you are celebrating. Examples include:

Thanksgiving:

• Gratitude jars
• Themed potlucks (bring-your-own-board night, casseroles only, traditional dishes)

Christmas:

• Baking cookies
• Making gingerbread houses
• Decorating ornaments
• White elephant gift exchange

New Year’s:

• Making time capsules
• Creating vision boards
• Fondue night

Remember activities do not have to be traditional. Coming up with your own unique ideas can make your party more memorable.

Plan that party

Now that you have an overview of the important factors that go into planning a party, all you need to do is apply them to your event and send out invitations. Remember to give yourself time to plan and consider the small details. Party planning doesn’t have to be stressful—in the end, it’s all about having fun.

And as my wedding planner mother always says, “You can’t just plan a party, you have to be the party.”

This means you shouldn’t just be the person who organizes the event—you should help boost the energy by being present and making sure your guests have a great time.

Hopefully, this article helps with your party-planning endeavors. Leave a comment below if you’re planning a party soon—or even just attending one!