Friendsgiving, New Year's, open house
A holiday party, planned
What to do and when, how much to buy, and what it costs. Then make it yours in a minute.
Themes
Each comes with decor, food, and activity ideas, and free printables.
What to do and when
Tap a step for the advice. Festidi counts it back from your party date.
6 to 8 weeks out
Pick a date, a start time, and a backup date
Three hours works well for adult parties, and an open-house window, like 2 to 5 pm, lets guests come and go. Check the date with the two or three people who must be there.
Set a budget and choose your big two
Pick the two things guests will remember, often the food and one standout moment like a toast or a photo booth, and spend there. Decor is the easiest place to save.
Write the guest list
Start with the must-invites, then add circles such as work, school, or neighbors until you reach your space and budget. For an open house, you can invite about a third more people than the space holds at once.
Choose a theme or a look
A theme can be as simple as two colors and one standout detail. Pick the palette first, then one moment to make special, like the dessert table or the entrance.
Lock in the location and a rain plan
Count seats, bathrooms, and where coats and gifts will go. For outdoor parties, name a backup space now, even if it is the garage with a couple of tables, and decide what time you will make the weather call.
Note food, accessibility, and comfort needs
Ask early about food allergies and dietary needs, mobility or seating needs, and anyone who needs a quiet spot. A simple note in your plan now makes the invitation and party day easier for every guest.
4 to 6 weeks out
Send the invitations
Send them 3 to 4 weeks ahead, or 6 weeks for a big milestone or a holiday weekend. Include start and end time, address, parking, an RSVP date, whether partners and kids are welcome, and a line asking about dietary needs. Digital invitations track replies for you.
Decide on music and one main activity
Most adult guests mainly want good food and time to talk. Choose one anchor, like a playlist, a photo booth, a toast, or a game, and let the rest breathe.
Book rentals if you need them
Tables, chairs, linens, a tent, or a dance floor should be booked early for weekend dates. Ask about delivery and pickup windows, who does the setup, and what happens if it rains.
Decide: cater, order trays, or cook
For more than 25 adults, catering or party trays usually beat cooking. Ask caterers about per-guest pricing, delivery windows, and serving equipment.
Book a photographer or pick a friend to shoot
A pro for two hours usually covers arrivals, the big moment, and group photos. If a friend is shooting, give them a short shot list and let them enjoy the rest.
Order the cake or desserts
Order 2 to 3 weeks ahead, sooner for busy weekends. Cupcakes, cookies, or a sheet cake from a local bakery are easier to serve to a crowd than a tall custom cake.
Ask helpers and give them roles
Even one helper makes the day calmer. Common roles are food lead, setup crew, a greeter, a photographer, and someone to keep the schedule.
Make one contact and confirmation list
Keep vendor contacts, delivery windows, addresses, balances, and a backup contact for each helper in one spot. This is the list a co-host can use if you are busy greeting guests.
2 to 3 weeks out
Order decor, tableware, and favors
Order about two weeks ahead so shipping delays do not catch you. Choose one color palette from your theme, buy plain plates and cups, and add one themed centerpiece. For favors, one small item beats a bag of extras.
Plan the menu and check allergies
Plan one main dish, two or three sides, and something easy to eat standing up. Ask about dietary needs on the invitation and label common allergens. Caterers need a final count about a week out.
Plan the one or two moments that matter
Choose the moments guests will talk about: a toast, a slideshow, a group photo, or a game. Put them on the schedule so they actually happen.
Follow up on RSVPs
Send one friendly nudge to anyone who hasn't replied. Count adults and any kids separately, and give your food and drink numbers a final check.
Plan drinks, including good non-alcoholic options
Plan about two drinks per guest for the first hour and one per hour after. Offer at least one non-alcoholic drink that feels special, and plenty of water.
Build your one-stop shopping list
Add every supply, serving item, favor, and party-kit essential to one list. Group the list by store or delivery date so a last-minute dash does not turn into three trips.
The week before
Confirm every vendor
Reconfirm time, address, phone number, and payment method with the entertainer, rental company, and bakery. Save their numbers in your phone and share them with your day-of helper.
Plan one group moment
A toast, a gift swap with a price limit, or a short game gives the party a center. Keep it under 20 minutes.
Lock the headcount and shop for food and drinks
Buy shelf-stable items now and fresh items a day or two out. Plan for a few extra plates and cups. Ice, napkins, and trash bags are easy to forget.
Prep favors, decor, and a playlist
Do anything you can ahead of time: assemble centerpieces, print signs, and set up favors if you're giving them. A playlist that runs the whole party keeps things lively without you touching your phone.
Write the party-day schedule
Write a simple run of show and share it with your helpers. Leave a little slack for late arrivals.
Send the final party note
Send one cheerful reminder with the address, parking details, start and end time, and anything guests should bring. It saves you from repeating the same answer on party morning.
The day before
Pick up the cake and set up what you can
Pick the cake up the day before or the morning of, based on your baker's advice, and keep it cool. Set out tables, chairs, and any decor that will not get damaged overnight.
Pack a party-day kit
Scissors, tape, wipes, trash bags, extra candles and a lighter, first-aid basics, a phone charger, and a few balloon fixes. Keep it all in one box so anyone can find it.
Charge devices and share the run sheet
Charge phones, camera batteries, portable speakers, and the card reader if a vendor needs it. Send the final run sheet and vendor contacts to helpers before everyone goes to bed.
Make the final weather and space call
For an outdoor party, decide whether the backup plan is in effect and tell helpers early. Move umbrellas, shade, towels, or indoor activity supplies into position now.
Party day
Set up an hour before
Start with the food table and the activity area, then the entrance. Assign one person to greet guests and another to take photos so you can be in the moment.
Run the party and finish on time
Follow the schedule loosely. Put the big moment, like toasts or cake, about two thirds of the way through, while everyone is still there.
Reset the space and check for left-behind items
Put food away, take a quick sweep through the activity area, and collect gifts, cards, and jackets into one safe place. A small cleanup assignment now makes the after-party much calmer.
After the party
Share photos and settle any remaining balances
Send a small photo album to guests while the day is still fresh, then check that every vendor has been paid and every rental return or pickup is confirmed.
Send thank-yous
Within a week is great. A short card or text that names the gift or the effort goes a long way.
Save photos and notes for next year
Back up your photos, note what worked and what did not, and save vendor contacts. Next year's plan starts here.
Leave a quick note for your future self
Record the guest count, real spend, favorite moment, and anything you would skip next time. Your next Festidi plan can begin with the lessons from this one.
Party-day run of show
For a party starting at 2 pm.
- Final setup and safety checkSetup crew gets food, activities, and the entrance ready.
- Arrivals and drinksGreeter welcomes guests and handles coats.
- Food outFood lead opens the food and keeps it stocked.
- Group momentEntertainment lead runs the toast, gift swap, or game.
- Dessert and coffeeFood lead sets out dessert.
- Wind-downThe host thanks everyone and sends leftovers home.
- Quick resetCollect gifts and check the space for left-behind items.
What it costs
Festidi's three budget levels for 30 guests. Try your own numbers.
| Level | Per guest | 30 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Home food, homemade games | $15 | $505 |
| Standard Bakery cake and one hired activity | $35 | $1,055 |
| Splurge Entertainer, rentals, and custom decor | $65 | $1,950 |
A rough split of the standard budget:
| Where it goes | Share | Of $1,055 |
|---|---|---|
| Food and cake | 40% | $420 |
| Entertainment and activities | 25% | $265 |
| Decor and tableware | 20% | $210 |
| Favors and extras | 15% | $160 |