Don't ask me why, but somewhere around mid-November, people start to get edgy. Females in particular. Maybe it's because women are cold and want to cuddled, or maybe because they see the Christmas holidays looming ahead and they don't want to spend the Christmas party nights alone. I can't really say. But I do believe that as a male, the holiday season has always been highly rewarding. And Christmas party nights the most rewarding of all.
Company Christmas parties drive home the point about wanting to be loved, and not being left alone. At least for one night. Corporate Christmas parties withstanding -- because nine times in ten they are extremely boring -- most other company Christmas party nights are relaxed, fun affairs with games, drinking and different levels of intimacy. Christmas party nights are akin to the clock striking midnight and Cinderella worrying about turning back into a maid or whatever the heck she was. Nothing worse than to be female on a Christmas party nights and stressing about sleeping alone or not receiving a gift or at least a hug.
I hate to come across as sexist, because I have no doubt this a two-way street. One person is looking for companionship and the other is enticed to give it. Seems like mutual business to me. And I've done a lot of business during christmas party nights.
Smaller christmas parties offer the most successful atmospheres. As I said, they offer different levels of intimacy. I always try to offer to bring christmas party supplies of some sort. Particularly games and beverages. I have noticed right off the bat that by volunteering to provide christmas party supplies, you've already made headway into the inner circle of party organizers. Plus you've distinguished yourself as a guy people want to know. Particularly women. And it's always nice to know a woman or women when the clock is counting down during Christmas party nights.
If it's possible, try an be the person organizing the party. Because if you're in charge of christmas party invitations, you have a handle on who exactly is coming to the party. If you're single, this is a good thing. Remember to only invite the number of people you can support. Send out 40 to 50 christmas party invitations and all of them respond with a "yes" and there goes your budget for the entire month. You better make sure you get something more of this than a silly coffee mug!
Well, once you've decided who you're going to invite and you've sent out the invitations, you need to start preparing for the Christmas party. That means decide on the theme -- if any - and also on what people will eat. What the music will be and so on. Don't plan the party on Christmas or Christmas eve, as the majority of people really do try to spend those days with family or close friends. Have the party a few days before and you'll be fine.
As far as food is concerned, you can't go wrong if everyone brings a dish. If that's not feasible then order a deli platter. Food is not the reason people go to parties. People go to parties to socialize. So make yourself available! Mingle! And then mingle some more!
Be a great host! A great bartender! And a great friend. As the hours pass, the change the music to more traditional Christmas tunes and sit back and watch the nostalgia creep into everyone's face. I don't suggest that you play off of a woman's sense of depression. But by offering to "be there" you will more than likely find yourself 'being there" the next morning at her place or yours. And that's a good place to be.