A Guide To The Perfect Mid-Century Christmas Party

Christmas time is here, which means preparing for your relatives to ask why you don't have a boyfriend or why you have rips in your jeans. But the good news is it's also that time of year for fun holiday parties. We're always looking for ways to spice up the holiday spirit, and this time we're talking about mid-century Christmas parties. Of course, everyone loves a classic Christmas party with red and green decor and a white elephant at the end, but this theme will allow your guests to get more creative and have more fun.

Decor: Let's begin with decorations because Christmas decor can really set the entire scene of what your vision is. Now not all of us have a luxurious mid-century pad that looks straight out of Charlie's Angels or Mad Men, but not to worry, the decor will make up for it. A mid-century Christmas involves lots of colors, so don't be afraid to include colors that might not scream Christmas to most people. Find inspiration from your grandparent's old holiday photos, and chances are they either had a ton of tinsel thrown all over their tree or maybe they even had an aluminum Christmas tree. Now It's up to you how extravagant you want this party to be, but I say get the aluminum tree. It'll be a crowd-pleaser, I promise you. Hanging ornaments, ribbon, or hand-crafted decor on the ceiling will pull the room together. Colored lights are a must. I know we're all used to the white lights everywhere now, but colored lights are much more fun and colorful. Visit your local thrift store and look for anything colorful, aluminum, or bright to light up your house.

Food: Dinner parties are always fun, but the large amounts of food become a lot of work, and as a host, it's hard going back and forth into the kitchen, making sure you didn't burn your casserole. So finger food or small side dishes are always a great option, especially if your party tends to be on the bigger side. Two things that will be sure to scream mid-century Christmas would have to be a big bowl of red punch, and a 50s-inspired Jello mold. Here is a list of some finger food that will not only taste great but look the part at your holiday party.

Bacon Wrapped Bites: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/69919/bacon-wrapped-smokies/

Deviled Eggs: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/classic-deviled-eggs-recipe-1911032

Cocktail Meatballs: https://dinnerthendessert.com/cocktail-meatballs/

Spinach Dip: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/9249/holiday-hot-spinach-dip/

Shrimp Tree: https://www.craftycookingbyanna.com/shrimp-christmas-tree/

Cheese Fondue: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13714/cheese-fondue/

Music: The dancing and grooving are the best part of any holiday party. A good party playlist goes a long way. Modern Christmas songs are good and all, but for this party, we will be listening to timeless Christmas songs such as 'Rockin' Around The Christmas' Tree by Brenda Lee, 'Jingle Bells' by Frank Sinatra, and 'Blue Christmas' by Elvis Presley.

Attire: Figuring out what to wear for a party is always a challenge, especially when it's a theme. But if you make it clear what the theme is and give your guests some ideas on the invitation, they should be good to go. Plaid pants, red or green pants, and suits are always good options for men, and they should have at least one of these in their closets already. Women always have more options when it comes to their outfits. They can also wear fun pants or plaid skirts and dresses. If guests really want to commit to the theme, long satin dresses are a must. They will be sure to shine next to the Christmas tree covered in in lights and tinsel.