The season of celebration is here again! And if you’re like many folks out there, you’re frantically searching for holiday party ideas to make your gatherings something memorable while taking some of the stress out of the process, too.
At Food Town, we like any opportunity to gather with our favorite people, but we also value our sanity (and yours). Here, we’ve pulled together a few of our favorite holiday party ideas. Read on for insights into everything from food and drink prep to ways to keep guests entertained, all while eliminating the headaches and hassle.
Opt for Easy Party Food (Pre-Made Options Are Your Friend!)
Some folks love spending hours in the kitchen preparing scratch-made meals for the group. If you don’t have the time or energy, though, there’s nothing wrong with using your neighborhood grocery store’s freezer section to your full advantage for easy party food options!
Mama Julia tamales or Kountry Boys cocktail smokies with barbecue sauce are quick and easy eats everybody loves! You can also repurpose larger entrees into party-friendly single-serving portions. Pop toothpicks or skewers into your Hormel Beef Tips for yummy bites guests can grab and eat as they visit, or cook your Marie Callender’s lasagna about halfway, then transfer single-serving portions into muffin tins to finish the cook process!
If you do want your meal to have a more homemade feel, consider mixing a pre-made item or two in with those you’re cooking from scratch. (You can even use pre-made items as your base!) For instance, Pioneer gravy mix and mashed potatoes come together deliciously in these Country Mashed Potato Bites. Your favorite mac and cheese is a also a quick and tasty starting point for these Cheesy Broccoli-Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites!
Go Big on Party Drinks with a Full-Blown Beverage Station
There’s no denying the holidays are an indulgent time of year. It’s a time for people to kick back and enjoy treats they might not otherwise allow themselves. Why not make the most of that with a section packed with people’s favorite party drinks?
Hot cocoa, tasty ciders and other warm seasonal drinks are a natural at this time of year. Don’t forget to set out yummy toppings and mix-ins to make their sips extra satisfying! Of course, eggnog and other alcoholic party drinks are great for parties where folks are of age. (Your Food Town offers incredible deals on beer and wine to make stocking that station simple!) You’ll also want to have other easy options available, such as water, diet sodas and Texas fave Dr Pepper.
Incorporate Party Games and Get-to-Know-You Activities
Food and drinks are great and all, but that togetherness aspect is the real reason for your bash. Have a few party games or activities prepared to get people talking. This is especially important if your guest list includes a mixed group of folks who don’t know one another well.
Incorporating a game night into the evening is a natural way to foster friendly competition, while white elephant gift exchanges can really turn things up a notch. Piñatas are always a hit (pun intended), and you can fill them however you please! Cookie decorating is for guests of all ages. If your celebration centers on the new year, consider asking everyone to share their resolutions or talk about what they’re most looking forward to in the year to come.
Shop Early for the Best Grocery Deals
The early bird doesn’t just get the worm — he gets the best grocery deals, too. When you plan your menu out in advance, it gives you time to peruse your favorite store’s savings, make necessary adjustments and create a shopping list that pleases palates and keeps your wallet happy.
Food Town’s Ways to Save page pulls your yellow coupon deals, digital coupons, weekly ad and app savings together into one convenient spot, so finding the lowest prices is a breeze. You can also find great recipe ideas that incorporate low-priced items on our social media pages!
Our holiday party ideas don’t end there, neighbor, but we think that’s a pretty great place to start! If you’re looking for additional inspiration, the Food Town Pinterest page is packed with recipes and party ideas that aim to please. You can’t go wrong with the incredible options we’ve pulled together on our Recipes page, either.
Don’t forget, friends. When it comes to party planning, the most important thing is to bring people together to celebrate. So long as you have a variety of food and drink options so everyone has something — and, of course, a guest list packed with people you love spending time with — the rest will work itself out.
Stop by and see us at your nearest Food Town to stock up on the fresh ingredients, tasty drink options and paper plates (because who wants to do dishes?) to get this party started. We hope your holidays are happy and your get-togethers are great. We’ll see ya soon, friends!
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