Classic Holiday Party Ideas

At this year’s Hallmark Crown TCA dinner, held in Beverly Hills in July and produced by Along Came Mary Events, a 25-foot Christmas tree took center stage, while guests dined on holiday favorites, like turkey with all the trimmings.

“Before the recession, parties would have extravagant dessert stations, but now some companies are economizing by offering guests a boxed dessert and to-go coffee in branded cups at the end of the night,” Accomando says. “It does double-duty as a favor and gives guests the chance to reminisce about the event when they’re eating the treat later at home.” Takeaway desserts can also be creatively worked into tablescapes as a design element to liven up tables and save on the decor budget. So what will companies be boxing up when it comes to desserts? Cupcakes are decidedly over. Instead, expect to see whoopie pies, macarons, gourmet marshmallows, doughnuts, pie slices, or berry crumbles in portable containers. Pictured: The Sweet Escape Patisserie can package up its snowmen macarons for events in the greater Toronto area.

Guests could pose for photographs in a sleigh at the entrance.

Christmas party photo booth props, $18; ­chroniclebooks.com

At the suite's opening-night event, Pure Kitchen Catering provided catering and Toni Patisserie and Cafe brought in seasonal treats. Linzer Torts were served on trays decked with the sheet music for Christmas carols.

Servers greeted guests at the entrance with mistletoe shots, made with peppermint schnapps and pomegranate juice.

Pallattella created different spaces within the party. One room, separated from the dance floor and bar, was lined with a table, chairs, and lit Christmas trees.

During the recession, a limited bar of beer and wine—or no alcohol at all—seemed to be the go-to choice. But now the fully stocked open bar is back, with 45 percent of companies opting for one last year, according to the BizBash survey. Industry pros predict that number will be even higher in 2013: “The open bar is not where clients are cutting back this year—they’re doing a full bar, plus a few specialty cocktail options,” Gorjestani says. Speaking of which, the interest in craft cocktails remains strong. “Society is still attached to classic cocktails and chef-driven mixology—guests get excited by throwback, Prohibition-style drinks made with bourbon, as well as cocktails made with fresh herbs and house-made syrups,” Neubauer says. But the latest trend may be something you remember from your high school prom, updated with a boozy twist: the drink fountain. While punches have been popular at holiday parties for several years, booze-filled fountains were one of the top trends spotted at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail, the annual drink festival in New Orleans. “I think these will gain popularity at corporate events because they are both fantastic for serving signature cocktails to larger groups and also serve as a gorgeous decorative element for an event,” Belvedere’s head of spirit creation and mixology, Claire Smith, told BizBash. Still, it’s never a bad idea to make sure nonalcoholic options are on hand, and Neubauer suggests offering more than just Diet Coke. “House-crafted sodas and elixirs make nonalcoholic options seem more enticing,” he says. Pictured: A private holiday event produced by Hollywood Pop Gallery featured a fully stocked custom circular bar covered in images of ornaments.

Red and green are the colors that immediately come to mind when thinking of holiday events, but they aren’t a requirement—in fact, event designers say they typically avoid pairing the two in an effort to avoid appearing to favor Christmas over Hanukkah. However, red—especially when paired with black and silver—continues to stay hot, as it evokes a feeling of holiday nostalgia. “Rich, deep shades of red will be big this holiday season, and touches of sparkle will stay strong,” says Jennifer Iovino at Peterson Party Center in Boston. “Industrial metallic, especially brass, is a look that will also be seen quite a bit.” Also trending: emerald green, Pantone’s 2013 color of the year. Or, opt for a subtler palette, mixing silvers and whites with shades of grey for a cool, wintery look. “For the holidays this year, I’m going to be keeping colors neutral,” Gorjestani says. “I’d leave out the red and opt for whites and muted winter tones.” Add in organic textures, and the color scheme lends itself to an updated twist on the ever-popular snowflakes-and-icicles winter wonderland theme. “To create a sort of Narnia-esque winter forest, pair an earthy color palette with burlap, branches, birchbark, and organic materials like wood and leaves,” Galley says. Pictured: A tabletop look designed by Boston’s EFD Creative, with a centerpiece by Jeri Solomon Floral Design and rentals from Peterson Party Center, shows off one of the season’s most popular color schemes: red, black, and silver.

White garden gnomes and red tinsel trees sat throughout the candy room, where red and white op art posters covered the walls.

Pure Kitchen Catering prepared champagne-cranberry spritzers and rosemary-infused sparkling water. A white tray of cranberries and rosemary spruced up the drink station—and provided a subtle, holiday-friendly fragrance.

A Christmas Story cookies, $40 for a dozen; parchmentcookies.etsy.com

An easy D.I.Y. centerpiece: Fill a Mason jar with water, greenery, cranberries, and a ­floating candle.

Wolfgang Puck Catering recommends a hot chocolate station, where guests can add items including flavored marshmallows, cherries, malted barley, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream.

East of India Polka Dot Wood-Slat Trees, about $195 for 12; aifriedman.com

Deluxe Christmas Charms Surprize Ball, $16.50 each; topsmalibu.com

Provide a full-sensory holiday experience by hanging ScentSicles scented ornaments from a faux Christmas tree or around the room.

Create a cozy cabin atmosphere with log-shaped throw pillows from Spoon Sisters on couches in the lounge area. Guests can take the pillows, $19 each, home as gifts.

Koyal Wholesale offers festive, budget-friendly partyware including red-and-green stripe biodegradable paper drinking straws, $29 for 100. Discounts are available for large orders.

Add some extra sweetness to the bar offerings with Melville’s peppermint-flavored hard candy shot glasses, $20 for 12, available at Candy.com.

Festive drink stirrers from HeathOriginal are a cute addition to cocktail glasses. The cost is $15 for 12.

Eggnog shots with mini gingerbread cookies, by Schaffer’s Genuine Foods in Los Angeles

Turkey rillettes with cranberry Grand Marnier gelée on sage brown butter croutons, by Schaffer’s Genuine Foods in Los Angeles