Holiday picnics are fun. They are common for many people around the world and are more commonly held in lieu of traditional indoor parties for companies, organizations, families and among neighbors. Holiday picnic parties are exciting and offer surprising twists than most indoor parties. More than that, it also offers a wider choice for your games and amusements. These are just a few of the reasons why holiday picnics are a better alternative to traditional ones.
However, there are a couple of things to consider if you want your picnic party to be a success. First is your budget. You need to consider the number of people who will attend your party to know how much to spend. Obviously, a larger party would require a larger budget. You can try throwing a party for your child’s class, your book club, or your coworkers, but it all depends on your budget. If you’re planning to have a “Secret Santa” gift exchange, make sure to have your guests RSVP so you know exactly how many people will be attending your party.
Where you sit your guests should also be considered. If you plan to keep it in your backyard, make sure you have plenty of portable outdoor seating. If you don’t, you can kindly ask your guest to bring their own picnic blankets. If you’re on a very tight budget, ask your guests to eat, that is, bring their own picnic basket with food for themselves and something extra for the other guests. For potluck parties, it would be advisable to have a theme like Italian or traditional Christmas so that you still have your food coordinated. If you want, you can also ask them to bring their own blanket that matches your theme.
You also have different options if you want to provide all the food. You can serve a full meal with appetizers and drinks, or just a dessert party that can be a lot of fun. Keeping the Christmas theme in mind, gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies, blueberry muffins, walnut brittles, and peppermint bark make great appetizers to serve for your Christmas picnic party. They are delicious treats that your guests will surely adore. A beautiful Christmas tree made with gum and green sugar can be a perfect centerpiece. The drinks should be placed in different places with hot chocolate, cider and other hot drinks. If the party includes adults, you can also serve wine. Rolls, mixed greens, glazed sweet potato slices are appetizing foods that can also be served.
To capture the festive mood, you need to think about your decorations. They don’t have to be expensive. Simple twinkling lights, red ribbons, and a sprinkling or two of poinsettia plants should do the trick. If budget isn’t an issue, you may want to explore Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and other large discount chain stores for the perfect Christmas yard decorations.
And the holidays aren’t complete without games and activities. For outdoor picnic parties, the games are endless. You can host a tree decorating party where your guests bring their own ornament or provide the decorations and have them freestyle the decorations themselves. This is fun for parties that include different families from your neighborhood. Each family can have their own tree to decorate. You can also set up a living nativity scene for children to participate. Use your child’s baby dolls, a couple of hay (or dry leaves if no hay is available), and some colorful fabric and have your guests recreate the nativity themselves. If you have pets, let them join in and serve as animals in the nativity barn. Afterward, you can go around your block and sing Christmas carols with your guests.
Christmas is almost here, so if you’re planning to host your own Christmas picnic party, it’s best to start early. Get help from a few close friends or family members. Enjoy and have fun on vacation!