Throwing a Christmas party this year? Need help? No matter what the occasion is, the basics of organizing a party are almost always the same. What makes the difference in every party is how you customize the details.

Following is a guideline to get you started on the basics:

What you may need.

• Invitations

• Christmas Decorations

• Christmas Tree

• Candles

• Eating Utensils

• Flowers

• Drinks

• Food

• Non-Alcoholic / Alcoholic Drinks

• Napkins

• Plates

• Christmas Music

• Christmas Games

Decide what kind of party you want to throw. Did you want a big party with a full bar, catering and band or a small intimate party between friends or family? Did you want a themed party, for example, Winter Wonderland, A White Christmas, Candy Cane Lane or Elves and Reindeer? Potluck party, Christmas cookies exchange gathering, etc.?

Make a guest list and send out invitations. Decide on an appropriate date for your party giving 2-4 weeks advance notice to the attendees, before their schedules are filled with other Christmas parties.

Decide on a menu. If you are having the meal catered, reserve the catering in advance and confirm 2-3 days prior to the party date. If you are cooking, (is it a sit-down or a buffet) decide on the dishes and desserts or the finger foods and drinks, so that you can create and budget in advance.

Buy what you need for the party. Buy the food, beverages, paper goods, decorations and flowers you will need for the party.

Decorate. Decorations can include a Christmas tree, candles, centerpieces (if you can or want) and or other holiday decorations.

Party Time. Cook what can be cooked a day or two before the party, so that on party day all you need to do is warm it. On the day of the party cook what needs to be cooked, chill the wine (if appropriate), set the tables or arrange the serving table and arrange the flowers or decorations. Just before the guests arrive light the candles, turn on some soft Christmas music and bring out the punch or open the bar.

Following are some ideas for a customized party:

• Tie silverware and napkins together with festive ribbons and a candy cane.

• Make or buy plenty of ice cubes and place them in a large galvanized tin bucket decorated with a big red ribbon. You can use food coloring to make festive red and green ice cubes.

• Before the party starts, place cloves, cinnamon and orange peels on a baking sheet in the oven. Set on a low temperature for an hour; the aroma will fill your house for hours.

• Use colored sugar cubes or rock sugar stirrers instead of regular sugar for coffee

• Make the guest feel welcome with luminaries lining the driveway or decorate the front of your hose and lawn to set the celebratory mood.

• Place a guest book at the front door for expressing sentiments

• For family, ask the guest to bring family photos to share or make a personalized ornament for the tree

• Plan a “Secret Santa” giveaway or an “White Elephant Exchange” (good for laughs)

The ultimate goal of your party is to put everyone in a joyful mood and set the tone for the coming year. With advanced planning and preparation, the host or hostess will be relaxed and everyone will have a good time.