When you picture the perfect holiday party, what do you imagine? Is your property bedecked in gleaming silver and crystal and the cold air thick with the smell of balsam fir? Are the tables heavy with a lavish and carefully planned spread orchestrated by your personal chef or event planner?

Whether your party is the brainchild of your own planning or retaining an event firm, the holiday season is a valuable opportunity to surround yourself with family and friends who matter most. As you prepare for the holidays, here are some party considerations that will create a bounty of fond seasonal memories for your guests — and have them eagerly awaiting an invitation to next year’s fête.

Planning Your Party

The first step may be the hardest: determining your event’s theme. If you have a party-planning or concierge firm on retainer, challenge them to think beyond the ordinary. The only limit should be your passion for the remarkable and their ability to execute.

The perfect party theme should express your unique interests. For example, if you love history, rent a heritage building in your area and ask guests to arrive in period dress. Historic theaters, social clubs and even the marble-walled interiors of turn-of-the-century train stations can provide an exciting backdrop for the event. If you crave the outdoors, host a “White Night” event on a frozen lake or inside a scenic mountain lodge. Include younger guests by featuring live reindeer and outdoor activities, like sledding and ice skating, to keep them entertained.

Since your party invitation will be the first thing your guests see, it should express your personality and event theme. If your choice of venue is historical, consider an invitation that captures the fond memories of its heyday, such as these art nouveau and art deco examples from Minted. These small but meaningful details will establish an elegant tone for your get-together.

However, don’t just consider your invitation’s look and feel; also think about how, when and where guests should receive it. Your holiday party could be the gift they’ve been eagerly awaiting all year long, after all. Turn opening the mail into an experience; consider having invitations placed in velvet-lined boxes and wrapped with festive paper. Have them hand-delivered for maximum effect.

Next comes your décor, drink and food. These elements should work in tandem to produce an event for the ages. Party planners also recommend focusing on the guest experience, so find opportunities to delight and surprise people at every turn. For instance, personalize seating name tags with hand-drawn calligraphy or watercolor designs as a memento they can treasure long after the party.

If your home is your party venue, a well-seasoned concierge planner will suggest leveraging its stunning features. A remarkable entryway, sweeping staircase or breathtaking dining room can all be elevated with incredible holiday decorations to create a spectacular sight for your guests.

Once they arrive, guests can enjoy your full bar with luxury libations and signature drinks such as vanilla cranberry mimosas and honey winter bourbon cocktails. Remember that tastes vary, from wine aficionados to health-minded sober living, so be sure to have an array of options.

Food will always send holiday spirits soaring. Your appetizers can be a mix of old favorites, such as cheddar shortbread crackers and bacon bites, with novel items that promise a unique blend of flavors and textures. Try fried eggplant with crispy basil and whipped honey feta for a tricky-to-achieve yet flavorful mix of creamy flesh and crispy skin or a savory cheese-filled croquembouche. A perfectly executed croquembouche is a talking point for any table, and this eye-catching tower of tasty delights will surely please guests.

For entrees, focus on creating a gastronomic experience with quality organic ingredients. Draw on your heritage, a recent trip or a favorite style of food for inspiration. For example, many Italian Americans still celebrate the holidays with the Feast of Seven Fishes, a stunning spread of at least seven different seafood dishes that is sure to wow guests. The residents of the Provence region of southeastern France, meanwhile, traditionally enjoy up to 13 desserts. Don’t forget to consider your guests’ food allergies or dietary restrictions when planning your meal, or else your guests will discuss the food for all the wrong reasons.

Your party planner and chef will collaborate to create an inspiring table centerpiece and the dishes, silverware and glassware needed to make dinner an elegant experience. The more gorgeous your table — and the more artfully prepared your food — the more likely your guests will talk about the night for years to come.

Avoid Holiday Horror Stories

A successful holiday host will take steps to remediate any safety concerns before guests arrive, ensuring the event goes smoothly and your guests are healthy and happy. To achieve this, direct your planner or concierge to identify potential risks and determine how to mitigate them. Here are some risk-reduction steps for them to consider and potentially implement for your party:

  • Prepare your home before the event – Don’t let a trip to the emergency room interrupt the festivities. Remove dangerous obstacles — including environmental ones, such as snow or black ice on driveways and outdoor paths — moving or storing breakable items and eliminating indoor slip-and-fall hazards.
  • Be watchful of open flames – Candles are a great way to create a comfortable, intimate atmosphere. Contain fireplaces, candles and any other open flames with fire screens or similar protective equipment. Move combustible items, such as curtains or décor, away from any open flame.
  • Secure all valuables – Don’t let theft distract from your big event. Secure your valuables, such as jewelry, heirlooms and collectors’ pieces, in a safe or bank vault. Secure your guests’ belongings separately.
  • Be mindful of food and drinks served – Avoid the risks of giving one of your guests an allergic reaction via the food or beverages you serve. In your invitations, ask guests to inform you of food allergies in their RSVPs. Additionally, provide non-alcoholic punches and water so people can dilute their alcohol consumption or avoid drinking entirely.

Carry the Appropriate Liability Insurance

Your holiday party should be a fun night for all, but if a guest behaves poorly or drinks too much, you could be held liable for the damages or injury they cause. Here are some steps you can take to mitigate your risk:

  • Verify all your vendors have sufficient insurance – Ask them to provide copies of all of their applicable policy certificates and have their insurers add your name to their policies as an additional insured. These policies can include general liability and liquor liability. Licensed vendors should carry these types of insurance as a standard business practice.
  • Secure additional insurance as needed – A short-term social host liquor liability insurance policy can cover injuries or damages related to alcohol. Additionally, umbrella insurance can help boost the liability coverage you already receive in your standard homeowners insurance policy.

In short, party planning allows guests to have a remarkable time without getting hurt during or after your event. It also allows you to share your family’s rituals and stories with the people who matter most to you. A well-planned and -executed holiday party will create powerful memories for years to come. Contact your Gallagher insurance advisor for further guidance on how to mitigate your home entertaining risks this holiday season.