In this post, I’ll be sharing a “Sips & Dips” holiday themed party with fully mapped out event details and helpful party planning tips to inspire your next gathering.
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There’s nothing quite like gathering all the girls together for a fun and festive holiday themed party. Today, I’m sharing a fully planned out themed event that you can feel free to draw inspiration from (or copy to T!) and impress your friends with a memorable night of delicious snacks and cocktails.
Welcome to Party Planning: a series where I virtually plan themed events and bundle them up into a perfectly packaged blog post to inspire your next gathering!
Itโs no secret to those who know me that I love to host. So much so that Iโm fully convinced putting together a themed party is my love language. Whether itโs hosting a bestieโs milestone birthday or celebrating a holiday with a large group of friends, Iโm always down to dive deep into the planning process, go as above and beyond as possible, and tap into my โextraโ gene to pull together a fun and memorable event for everyone to enjoy.
However, as much as I live for hosting, thereโs just no way to realistically fit all of these perfectly put-together themed parties into real life schedules and budgets. So, as a self-proclaimed โPinterest Girlyโ who has spent years curating my Party + Events board (with over 900+ pins and counting!) I figured I would start virtually planning events right here on the blog: from the initial moodboard and color palette to the party favors and dress code ideas. Iโll even be including Spotify music playlists and invitation templatesโฆ because a great themed party is really all about the details.
So, if youโre looking to host an event this upcoming season but arenโt so keen on the planning process, this series will set you up with a complete rundown of themed gatherings you can use as inspo (or directly copy) for your next event!
The Perfect Gatherings Digital Party Planner – the ULTIMATE tool for hosting memorable events
Sips & Dips | A Holiday Themed Party Idea
Todayโs hypothetical Party Planning theme is: Sips & Dips.
Hosting a party with a cocktail and dip theme is simple. Each guest brings a “sip” (cocktail or mocktail) and a dip to share, resulting in an eclectic potluck style gathering. While this concept is versatile and can be applied to any occasion, giving it a quirky Vintage Christmas twist is sure to bring on a more fun and festive ambiance for the holiday season.
Letโs dive into all the party planning details.
Mood Board + Color Palette
It always, always, starts with a mood board. No matter the theme or occasion, the party planning process is just not officially underway until I see a full mood board come together. I make sure to include a color palette, usually pulled straight from the images on the mood board. To put this together, I simply head to Pinterest and start searching for keywords related to the party theme. In this case, I searched the terms: dip recipes for cocktail parties, sip and dip party, girls’ night in cocktails, and vintage Christmas aesthetic, to name a few.
(Planner: The Perfect Gatherings Digital Party Planner x TWG Designs | App: Goodnotes5)
The overall vibe of this party is playful and eclectic, with a bright color palette and some vintage elements. The color palette isn’t traditionally “Christmas” but can still be applied to holiday decor in the form of ribbons, ornaments, and floral arrangements.
Invitations
Your invitations are the first impression guests will have of your party’s ambiance, color scheme, and overall tone. That’s why I always recommend starting with a mood board for reference. Regardless of the theme, party invitations should always include the event’s main occasion, date, time, location, and any other important details (like a specific dress code and parking instructions).
I really enjoy designing digital invitations and sending them via text or email. To create custom invitations, I head to Canva, and make the document/canvas size 1080×1920 px so that it fits most standard phone screen sizes. (Canva offers a user-friendly approach to graphic design and has tools to fit a range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced. They also have tons of design resources like fonts, illustrated elements, and stock photos that you can add to your projects with a few simple clicks.)
To add an extra layer of structure to your party planning process, you can use platforms like Evite, which will send out digital invitation groups with the option to add gift registry links, send messages and updates to your guest list, and keep track of RSVPs.
Invitations should also reflect the formality of the event. A more casual gathering is perfect for a quick digital invite, but you may want to consider sending printed invitations for a more formal gathering (weddings, engagement parties, etc.) You can use online printing platforms like Zazzle, Vistaprint, Staples, etc., and even use the โupload your own designโ feature for a fully custom invitation if their pre-designed templates are just not cutting it for your specific theme. Just be mindful of the sizing options so that you design the invitation on the correct canvas size, to begin with.
I personally appreciate the convenience and sustainability of digital invitations, but it’s really a matter of personal preference. There are also some fun examples of handwritten invitations floating around on Pinterest, which I may have to try for another party in the near future.
Here’s a sample invitation I designed for a “Sips and Dips” holiday themed party:
To use this exact invitation for your own party, click here to access and edit my free Canva template!
Decorations
As you can probably tell by now, I’m super thrilled to be working with my new digital party planner, and taking full advantage of all the page templates for each stage of the party planning process. The decorations page is perfectly compartmentalized into sections for more in-depth planning so that no decor detail goes unnoticed.
For this theme, I’d keep the tablescape set up minimal and uncluttered, as this is where your guests will be presenting and sharing the dips they bring with them. This is the perfect opportunity to pull out a long grazing board, and some mismatched serveware to really enhance the eclectic and “collected over time” aesthetic. No formal place settings this time around! The grazing table and potluck setup will give your event a more casual and laid back feel.
Add some visual interest and anchor the table with a vintage inspired tablecloth. Then, incorporate a dash of class with linen napkins. Tip: fold the napkins into fans using the simple accordion folding method, and secure them in the center with bows made out of ribbon in assorted colors to tie back into the mood board and invitation design.
For the centerpieces, add a few short pillar candles and small jars of colorful flowers to keep it simple. Instead, bring the focus up to a DIY ceiling “install” piece made with ribbon and Christmas bauble ornaments in assorted colors and shapes – mix in a few disco ball ornaments for an extra festive touch. (These are my favorite hooks for attaching decor to the ceiling.)
Keep the mood energetic and fun with some colorful ambient lighting. Consider switching out the lightbulbs on a few table or floor lamps (please, no overhead lights allowed) and switch on a sunset lamp if you have one on hand! (I have this little one and have used it way more often than I ever thought I would – a great little party hack that is small but makes a big impact.)
I usually enjoy a large statement photo booth moment at a party, but this time around, I’d keep it simple. After all, the holidays tend to be quite a busy season, and a large-scale DIY project just isn’t ideal. (Like this 7-foot prop coffin I made for our Vampire themed Halloween murder mystery party) Instead, I’d make a few fun photobooth-style props. Some “tacky cute” Christmas tree headbands would be perfect to throw on for random photos throughout the night and are relatively easy to DIY.
SHOP THE VIBE // long grazing board / linen napkins / assorted ribbon / colorful ornaments / disco ball ornaments / pink countertop cooler / vintage style tablecloth / color lightbulbs / sunset lamp / headbands for DIY / mini Christmas trees
Food
The food served at an event can vary greatly depending on the time of day and type of occasion. There are events that call for a full sit-down dinner, while others are more suited for small appetizers and a few snacks.
It goes without saying that the “menu” for this party is pretty much a no-brainer seen as how it’s basically a part of the theme itself. But sometimes, a more restricted menu forces us to think outside the box and leads to some of the best recipes – allowing us to discover something completely brand new that we’d never normally think of making.
Make sure to clearly state the info about it being a potluck on your invitation so that your guests know well in advance. Also, it may be a good idea to ask what each guest plans to bring so that you can avoid having multiple or similar dishes.
Although there isn’t much to plan for when it comes to the menu for this party, I’d still make sure to have a few sweet or dessert dip options to keep everything nice and balanced. If you’re not exactly sure what each guest is bringing, keep 1 or 2 salty and sweet options tucked away and ready to be whipped out, just in case. You may also want to have a few “sides” or in this case, dippable options like tortilla chips, carrots, cucumbers, pita, graham crackers, etc. arranged on a serving tray or small bowls as backup. With potlucks, you’re never 100% certain of the outcome, so as a host, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
I will say, the more casual potluck-style setup is always a hit!
SHOP THE VIBE // glass chip and dip set / swivel appetizer tray / vintage style glasses / assorted mini serving tray set
Signature Drink
Nothing elevates a party like a signature drink. However, for a “Sips and Dips” themed party where each guest is bringing their own “signature” cocktail in a way, I’d skip out on this and maybe set up a small ice cube bar instead. You could use an assortment of shaped ice cube trays to pre-make a bunch of ice for the party and present it in a countertop cooler or ice bucket. Be sure to add ice scoops for ease of use. You can even make a few with added fruits or edible florals for an extra special detail.
I’d also consider creating a small DIY garnish section with things like lemons, limes, maraschino cherries, dehydrated citrus slices, and a few rimmer plates with commonly used ingredients like salt, tajin, and cinnamon sugar. This always elevates a cocktail table set up and is super quick and easy to put together. Use assorted bowls and trays, or a garnish tray over ice for a more cohesive bar-like vibe.
SHOP THE VIBE // rose ice cube tray / snowflake ice cube tray / assorted shapes ice cube trays / countertop cooler / ice scoops / condiment and garnish server / rimmer plate
Click here to see all of my favorite Bar + Cocktail recommendations.
Check out my Happy Hour series for cocktail recipe ideas.
Activities + Favors
While not always necessary, sometimes itโs nice to plan a small activity or game to play during a party, either to serve as an icebreaker for guests who may not know each other very well, or just a fun chance to get creative and try something new.
My tip is to keep it simple and sweet. Unless youโre hosting a murder mystery night, I donโt think the activity should take up the majority of the time, or your guestโs full mental efforts. This aspect of the party should be voluntary and, overall, just for fun.
For this party in particular, I’d play up the festive holiday mood and set up some DIY crafting stations for things like candle wax “painting” and handmade ornaments. Just be sure to prep the stations in advance so that you’re not rushing to gather supplies and tools mid-party. Pro tip: the more you can get done prior to your guests arriving, the more fun you’ll have as the hostess with the mostest throughout the night.
For the DIY candles, you’ll need white candles (tapered or pillar) and tea light candles in a variety of different colors. The tealight candles will need to be lit, then your guests can dip a brush in the melted wax and use it to “paint” on the white candles, creating a unique design.
For the DIY ornaments, the creative options are truly endless! It all comes down to having an assortment of different materials and tools to play around with. Some of my favorites include patterned napkins and glue for decoupage, acrylic paints, glitter, and metallic foil. You could also include things like beads, dried flowers, or other 3D elements that can be placed inside clear ornaments. Be sure to include ribbon, twine, or ornament hangers for the finishing touches, and set out a few pairs of scissors, glue, paint brushes, etc. to ease the flow of crafting for everyone involved.
These fun and simple crafts also make for excellent party favors that your guests can take home and enjoy.
If crafting isn’t really your group’s thing, consider playing a fun board game like Hues and Cues – a super fun and lighthearted color guessing game that is perfect for the girlies! Click here to see more board game recommendations. Consider taking the time to have a cute little prize on hand for the winner. My go-to items for small prizes are mini bottles of spirits, a wine bottle topper that goes with the theme of the party, or some seasonal treats like chocolate or candy. Be sure to bundle them up in a thoughtful presentation. Again, it’s always about the small details.
SHOP THE VIBE // simple bauble ornaments / clear ornaments / assorted glitter / acrylic paint set / craft paint brushes / Mod Podge / patterned paper napkins / metallic foil / white pillar candles / white tapered candles / colored tea light candles
Dress Code
If youโre certain about a dress code and have a specific group photo idea in mind, or just really want the overall vibe of the party to be on point, you can kindly suggest that your guests dress up on theme, either noted somewhere on the invitation or just by word of mouth.
Expect that some will be more willing to dress on theme than others, and at the end of the day, itโs not that serious. The main purpose of hosting a party is to create a fun time for you and your guests to enjoy, regardless of what anyone is wearing.
If you know your gals aren’t fans of dressing “on theme”, feel free to skip this party planning element altogether. But, I think incorporating a fun dress code really pulls the entire theme together and often gets people extra excited about the event in general. It almost becomes an added layer of texture, color, and conversation throughout the night. Maybe it’s the fashion girly in me, but this is truly one of my favorite parts of party planning!
There are endless ways to interpret the “Quirky Christmas” dress code for this party, so expect to see a wide variety of different takes as each guest arrives, which is also part of the fun! However, you can also put together a Pinterest board with outfit ideas and send it to your guests for inspiration. I guarantee at least a few of them will greatly appreciate this.
SHOP THE LOOK // tinsel jacket / pink satin shorts / mini ornament clips / ornament earrings / retro santa sweater / red satin gloves / vintage style slipper heels
Music
Last but definitely not leastโฆ the tunes! Itโs obvious that music selection can totally make or break a party. I know this is more of a personal taste thing, and nine times out of ten, youโll end up playing whatever music you and your guests enjoy the most. But, when it comes to hosting a themed party, I think popping on a music playlist that compliments the theme can help set the tone, especially as guests are arriving and settling in.
Click here to check out my Vintage Holiday Party playlist on Spotify.
I hope you feel inspired to host your own holiday themed party this season. It’s the perfect excuse to get in the festive spirit and an opportunity to gather those you love most to make lasting memories.
If planning is your jam, check out The Perfect Gatherings Digital Party Planner and keep all of your party plans, tasks, to-do lists, and more… organized in one easy-to-access digital file!
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– Charcuterie Board 101: My Tips, Tricks, and Shopping List
– Grocery Store Cake Makeover – last minute lazy party hack
Xx- Laura
PS โ Follow along on Instagram for more posts and stories related to this topic!
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