How to take it up a level? God that sounds wanky. Christmas party tips please?

[LowLevelWhinging]

What makes a party stand out for you? What makes the difference?

We're having an adults Christmas party. Invited about 70 so maybe 50 will come?

There will be:

Many curries
People bringing puddings.
Good sound system and friends 'DJing'
Booze.
Smoking area.
Usual Christmas decs plus a load of pom poms and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.
Loads more toilet paper than I think we'll need (learnt lesson there).

Anything else please?

Should I do punch/mulled wine, or are folks not that fussed and just get on with their beers/wine?

DISCO BALL! that's what we need

Personally, I'd do the mulled wine. Enough to give everyone a glass to welcome them in from the cold and then let them get on with the other drinks. It'll create a lovely first impression and make people feel welcomed.

For the food, I'd try to make something a little special. If you are doing curries, make sure there are some lovely pickles and sauces to go with it, maybe big piles of Naan breads in different flavours too. Make sure everything is well labelled so that you don't have to be hovering over the table all the time to explain and let them try something new. People tend to remember the first time they tried something they liked and it will make your party memorable.

If people are bringing puddings, I'd still be tempted to get the accompaniments to go with them as they are almost guaranteed to forget so maybe some ice cream, cream and custard and make sure there are plenty of bowls and spoons to go around.

It sounds like a lovely party, I'm sure you'll have fun.

Thank you Blathers. yep, labels are go as we have lots of different dietary requirements around here!

I'll check what folk are bringing pudding-wise then. or just get loads of cream/custard!

May be a bit late but my fave bit about our little Christmas get together is 'bad Santa' game.

Everyone brings a wrapped gift to value of e.g. £10-£20 & all gifts go in middle of room. Everyone's name in a hat-first name out picks a gift, opens & keeps it on her knee. Next name out of hat picks& opens another gift but if they prefer what first person got, they take that & swap with whatever they opened. This goes on til the end so is best to be last name out of the hat as you have pick of everything.

The best bit is taking gifts from others for joyful spite after a couple of glasses of vino & you can buy literally anything-random vintage scarf that only you would like. Great fun!

Other than that plenty of 'natter nooks' & nibbles. Wish I was coming!

HAHA, that sounds great evelyn!

i won't be able to control a crowd of 50 ish for that, but deffo holding that one in mind for family christmas.

50 folk would be fab for it-would have to be a speed one tho & some people might be a bit shy about kicking off!

Also, john whassisname from GBB made chorizo & manchego mini scones on Sunday brunch last weekend. I can't stop thinking about them & must make them

Any mini nibbles that are new-just one that people remember is awesome.

And sweet and salted popcorn (mixed in bag). So addictive.