Are you planning on hosting a holiday party this season? For those who love it, the opportunity to plan a party can be a gift, but for everyone else it can be overwhelming and stressful, especially with everything else going on during the holidays. Braving long lines at the supermarket, getting decorations and sending out invites can quickly turn even the merriest of souls into a Grinch if you don’t have some help. Not to worry, we deployed our army of elves to find the best sites to help you avoid having a Blue Christmas by throwing a stress free holiday party that will impress your guests.
Invitations
Depending on how many guests you’ll be having and how well you know them, your party may call for invitations to be sent. Like Old Saint Nick himself, Evite (reviews) is the longstanding icon of the online invitation world and many Sitejabber users have left great reviews that help us understand why. However, other Sitejabber members have reported times when their guests, like naughty kids on Christmas morning, didn’t get anything at all. One of our elves suggested sending two invitations for your party — one to announce it and a second as a reminder — as a great way to alleviate this concern. Shutterfly (reviews), Vistaprint (reviews), and Overnightprints (reviews) have all won Sitejabber Customer Choice Awards for 2017 and can help you create beautiful custom holiday-themed invitations. eCards are also a fun way to announce your party and JibJab (reviews) makes some of the most entertaining. Plus, with nearly 7,000 5-star reviews, you can trust your guests will love them.
Food & Drink
You can spend time with loved ones roasting chestnuts over an open fire prior to your big party, or waiting in line with a bunch of grumpy strangers at your local grocery store. Given those options, purchasing the holiday meal online has become an alternative that many are opting for. If you’re in the market for steaks or lobster, Omaha Steaks (reviews) can be an angel. Having been in business since 1917 and selling online since 1995, they have the experience to ensure everything meets your needs.
Another option this season is placing an order with Pig of the Month (reviews). While normally a subscription delivery service, they can also ship you one very tasty meal. PotM aren’t “pigs” when it comes to the selection they offer either, with smoked meats like turkey and beef in addition to those from their namesake. Mary H wrote:
“They specialize in natural pork products with no added nitrates, nitrites, hormones, antibiotics, or preservatives, etc. I have also given them as gifts to family and friends. Everyone’s favorites seem to be the pulled pork and ribs, which come in several flavors.“
To round out your holiday feast, K&L wines (reviews) has some of the best deals for buying wine online and they make it easy to spike the eggnog with spirits as well. Finally, for dessert Harry & David (reviews) puts a bow on your meal with cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory or any other of their many delicious treats.
Recipes
If you want to be creative about more than where to hide the kids’ gifts this year, it’s the perfect opportunity to try some new recipes. There are tons of great recipe websites and the holiday season is their bread and butter. Food Network (reviews) has an abundance of great recipes and online shows for you to master those cooking skills. AllRecipes (reviews) also has a following on Sitejabber. If you are looking for a recipe site with a community forum as well, then Chowhound (reviews) might be a great site to find those recipes for your party.
Cooking Gear
If you need extra cooking equipment for the holidays and would like to impress your guests, then according to our elves and thousands of Sitejabber reviewers, SurLaTable (reviews) and Williams Sonoma (reviews) are the top places to look. Deborah C had this to say about her products from Williams Sonoma:
“Everything I bought I received and it was all chef quality.“
Another “can’t miss” option and 2017 Customer Choice Award winner is Bed Bath and Beyond (reviews), with enough products that you could do most of your gift shopping at the same time.
Decorations
What’s the holiday season (or a great holiday party) without festive decorations? But to avoid a Clark Griswold style scene decorating for your party we came up with a couple of suggestions. Oriental Trading (reviews) is a trusted resource for parents and teachers shopping for affordable activity supplies for kids, but they are also a great site for finding supplies for almost any party. Sitejabber member Sophia H submitted this glowing review:
“I really like this site; especially, when I have a themed party to throw. Their prices are unbeatable.”
Another Sitejabber Customer Choice Award winner to consider is Pier1 (reviews). At Pier1 you’ll find a wide selection of home holiday decor that’s sure to set a festive mood for your party.
(Decorate for your party the easy way this holiday season)
All of us at Sitejabber hope you and your loved ones have a safe and festive holiday season!
