How to Deal with Christmas Party Planning Anxiety

Over the years, you have been attending other people’s parties. Never really hosting your own. At some point, you start feeling like a freeloader. However, planning and hosting a party can be a very stressful endeavor. The sheer amount of planning coupled with the pressure to have everything running smoothly but still make it look effortless can topple the host over.

There is a tendency to over-prepare. Clean the curtains, change the sheets, clean out the fridge and other useless activities that would just take time away from useful planning. Cramming too many activities on that to-do list will overwhelm and frustrate you. Then you will start to regret ever beginning the process. There is honor in just being a guest, right? No, wrong! Your to do list is the problem. Its heftiness might be inspired by perfectionism. A perfect bash is where everyone has fun. Rarely do people remember your polished china or dusted curtain boxes. They remember the epic time, stimulating conversations and dancing.

If this is your first party, start small. Do not jump right into a long guest list. Start with a few close people. People who would not judge you for letting the toilet paper run out or serving appetizers on paper plates. Develop the guest list with personalities in mind. Invite people who would get on well together. Also, be careful not to invite people who get violent and rowdy upon imbibing. 

Fear of the unknown should not get to you. Your dog might fart during dinner. Your children might crash into the dessert arrangement. An embarrassing story about you might come up. All these are part of the fun. Nothing can be done about a mishap that was destined to happen. So go with the flow.

Most importantly, plan to have fun. Relax and have fun. It is your party. Set the tone. You do not want to be the buzz kill at your own party. Remember to stock up on toilet paper.