A perfect holiday party means happy-go-lucky to Misha Teplitskiy, who lives in an apartment building in South Chicago, where residents once turned their shared laundry room into a dance floor. “Everybody knows everybody,” he says, and each neighbor has something different to offer.
His party formula: Keep events casual, with crowd-pleasing music, plenty of refreshments, and have the courtesy to invite every person in your building or on your block. Have diversity in mind, too. During the holidays, Teplitskiy cautions, traditional themes and strict religious undertones can “limit the crowd” and make some guests feel excluded.
Come one, come all
Sometimes being neighborly starts with breaking the ice. And what better opportunity than at a holiday party?
Start off on the right foot. A bright, general invitation sends the message that everyone is welcome. Try playing with imagery and language — combining Christmas and Hanukkah symbols, perhaps, for a late-December party — or simply title it “Winter Bash.”
Be upfront. If you plan to uphold old-fashioned family traditions but still want everyone to feel comfortable, say so. Just ensure guests know what to expect. As with any soirée, you’ll also want to drop a hint as to how folks should dress (casual, black-tie, you name it) to put them at ease beforehand.
Incorporate crowd pleasers. Gift giving is fairly universal, and a white-elephant night is a great excuse to giggle, celebrate, and unload quirky items that have been gathering dust. The rules are easy: Everyone brings wrapped, inexpensive presents that can be claimed or passed around like hot potatoes. And everyone goes home with a prize.
Take it outside. Plenty of cold-weather activities — like building a snowman, tossing a football before sundown, or bundling up to enjoy a mug of cocoa —are common ground for just about everyone. They’re also a perfect chance for neighborhood kids (or adults) to blow off steam while other guests mingle indoors.
Embrace diversity
“All-inclusive” doesn’t mean devoid of culture. So why not celebrate your community’s differences?
Show and tell. If your party is kid-friendly, take time to teach youngsters about other cultures and beliefs by trying out holiday games, songs, stories, and art projects from around the world.
Relax. Don’t be afraid to laugh, ask for help, or admit that you may be learning as you go. If you’re worried sick about the possibility of offending someone, you’ll miss the whole point of a holiday party: having fun. So keep an open mind, open arms, and a sense of humor, and your guests will too.
Follow up. Long after the last partygoer leaves, you and your neighbors will still have shared memories to keep you going. Wave hello next time you see the Joneses, and tell them how much you enjoyed their visit.
Throw a perfect holiday party
A perfect holiday party means happy-go-lucky to Misha Teplitskiy, who lives in an apartment building in South Chicago, where residents once turned their shared laundry room into a dance floor. “Everybody knows everybody,” he says, and each neighbor has something different to offer.
His party formula: Keep events casual, with crowd-pleasing music, plenty of refreshments, and have the courtesy to invite every person in your building or on your block. Have diversity in mind, too. During the holidays, Teplitskiy cautions, traditional themes and strict religious undertones can “limit the crowd” and make some guests feel excluded.
Come one, come all
Sometimes being neighborly starts with breaking the ice. And what better opportunity than at a holiday party?
Embrace diversity
“All-inclusive” doesn’t mean devoid of culture. So why not celebrate your community’s differences?