Having a Christmas party is an excellent way to spread some Christmas cheer. When you open your home for others and create a warm, safe environment you show them your kindness. But, how do you plan a Christmas party that everyone will enjoy? Here are some tips that can help.

• Don't leave all your party setup for the day of the event.

• Sometimes a smaller party is better than a larger one.

• Don't stress! If you're having a good time so will your guests.

When you decide you want to have a Christmas party the very first thing you should do is decide what kind of party you would like to have. You don't always need a theme. If you have a vague idea that you want to have your family over for a nice meal and gift swap or Secret Santa, then that's your theme. Or, you could take planning one step further and actually give it a theme. It's up to you. You can make it as simple or complex as you want.

This video provides a great introduction on how to plan a Christmas party menu.

The first thing you need to do is decide on the theme or purpose for your party. Themes could include gift swaps, trimming the tree, cocktail party or a Christmas movie night. Use your imagination. You also don't need a theme. If you just want to have people over for a festive dinner, then that's fine too.

If you need extra help coming up with theme ideas you can ask around or look on the internet. Other Christmas party ideas include Christmas caroling, cookie swaps, and themes related to your favorite Christmas movies.

After you decide what kind of party you want to have, your next step is to create your guest list. Do you want a big Christmas party or a small one? List everyone whom you want to invite. Think about the list for a full day before you send the invites just in case you want to make any changes on the list.

Once you're sure the guest list is complete you'll need to send the invitations. You have several choices for this. You can send an electronic invitation using a site like Evite.com, send an email, call people, or mail invitations that you either purchase or print out on your computer. Be sure to tell people the RSVP date and give them adequate contact information. Also make note of your theme on the invitation.

The next step is to get your home decorated and festive for the party. If you have a theme, decorate based on the theme. Or, you can just decorate with a general Christmas mood. Christmas decorations are a great way to bring the holidays alive for your guests and will create a homey atmosphere. You'll also want to make sure your home is clean.

Once you have everything all decorated, your next step is to create the menu. No matter what kind of Christmas party you are having you'll need to serve food. If it's a dinner party serve a several course meal with holiday favorites. If you're having a movie night, serve popcorn and other munchable items. A cocktail party almost requires appetizers. Food will help your guests feel welcome.

There are a lot of fun drinks you can serve. There are some classic punch recipes to try. Serve one with alcohol and one without. Other favorites include wine, beer, holiday cocktails (like candy cane martinis), mulled wine, hot chocolate, and mulled apple cider. Think about the type of party you're having and choose the drinks that fit your theme the best.

The day of your party should be a time to put everything together. Lay out the food and drinks, clean a few things at the last minute like the floors and the bathrooms, and relax until the guests arrive!