topic Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL in Community Chat

CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Spinach2 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:59:03 GMT

Hello everyone! My husband and I are hosting a Christmas party for the first time in our new home and as a married couple. I'd like the guests to dress up in dressy holiday attire. He thinks it should be more casual and that guests don't like to dress up. Well, as a woman, I sure love to dress up for the holidays. I think guests would enjoy getting fancied up too. What are your thoughts and do you like to get dressed up?

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Marp — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:03:29 GMT

If the atmopshere of the party is to be upscale and semi-formal then dressing up would be the way to go.

On the other hand if it is a relaxed get together then I side with your DH on dress being more casual.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

mac116 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:06:09 GMT

I don't necessarily like to get dressed up for a party in someone's home. That type of party seems more intimate and friendly than a holiday party at a hotel or restaurant. I would want to be able to wear nice jeans and a "silk" blouse or something dressy on top. What would you call that? Dressy casual??

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:06:39 GMT

@Spinach2 wrote:
Hello everyone! My husband and I are hosting a Christmas party for the first time in our new home and as a married couple. I'd like the guests to dress up in dressy holiday attire. He thinks it should be more casual and that guests don't like to dress up. Well, as a woman, I sure love to dress up for the holidays. I think guests would enjoy getting fancied up too. What are your thoughts and do you like to get dressed up?

@Spinach2

What fun !!!

I think it depends on how you are entertaining .... will the food be a buffet or a sit down dinner? If people are going to be eating finger foods from a buffet table, I really don't think dressing up is the way to go.

Perhaps you can inspire with the invitation ...

Dress: Festive Attire

and let it go at that.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

I am still oxox — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:11:26 GMT

Theme can be HOLIDAY

which will let people dress as they are comfortable

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Moonchilde — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:11:30 GMT

It depends on the friends in general. How well do you know them all, to have an idea of how they would enjoy dressing? I don't feel men in general enjoy dressing up for occasions as much as women might - and not all women do, or have the resources to. IMO you need to consider couples, not just wives.

Most couples "must" attend a dressy holiday work party. They may well not want to do two such parties. You would likely be narrowing the number of people who would come. And some may look at the dressy qualification and feel it could turn into a competition of sorts - not a jolly party atmosphere.

But you (presumably) know your potential guests well enough to have a sense of how they might feel, so you would have a better idea how it would be enjoyed.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Sooner — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:17:03 GMT

First, ASK some of the ladies coming what they would like to do! Don't give the husbands a response opportunity.

Second, when you send the invitations out describe what kind of party you are having. Snacks, cocktail party with appetizers. buffet, sit down dinner, etc. Starting time and perhaps an ending time if it is cocktails, or desserts? Drop in? I think people are more comfortable if they have details about what you are doing as well as some idea of dress.

"Come enjoy an evening at our house for the ladies to wear their festive Holiday attire and drinks and hor d'oeuvres from 5p.m. to 7:30 . . . "

Come for a casual dinner of soups and salads around the tree as we get together to celebrate the holidays

Join us for a festive evening around our tree to have fun and let the ladies show off their festive attire! We'll have a buffet supper and pleanty of desserts and drinks!

A drop in dessert party mid-afternoon is great too, or a Saturday brunch that will allow people to about the rest of their busy day while starting on a happy note at your house!

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Spinach2 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:17:24 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@Spinach2 wrote:
Hello everyone! My husband and I are hosting a Christmas party for the first time in our new home and as a married couple. I'd like the guests to dress up in dressy holiday attire. He thinks it should be more casual and that guests don't like to dress up. Well, as a woman, I sure love to dress up for the holidays. I think guests would enjoy getting fancied up too. What are your thoughts and do you like to get dressed up?
@Spinach2

What fun !!!

I think it depends on how you are entertaining .... will the food be a buffet or a sit down dinner? If people are going to be eating finger foods from a buffet table, I really don't think dressing up is the way to go.

Perhaps you can inspire with the invitation ...

Dress: Festive Attire

and let it go at that.

Seems to be running in the "not dressy" direction. I will take your suggestion and put "Festive Attire" and will leave it to the guests to dress as they wish. It will be a buffet style party so that's probably more appropriate! Thanks!

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

freakygirl — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:18:30 GMT

how about, come dressed up or dressed down, just come and have a great time! no need to impose or "suggest" a desired attire.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

chrystaltree — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:20:24 GMT

We give a big holiday party for friends and family every year and I agree with you and with your husband. The old time semi-formal or cocktail party attire is over. People live much more casually now and while we women do indeed love the opportunity to dress up and wear our good jewelry, men don't. So, my parties are "dressy casual". I want my guests to enjoy themselves and I don't want anyone feeling that they have get "trussed up" (as hubby calls it) or spend money on something new that they'll never wear again. The women get as dressed up as they want but the men wear dress slacks with dress shirts. Some do the jacket/tie thing but most of the guys do not. The women do wear lots of sparkle and jewelry so I have the festive look I want.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

sunshine45 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:23:42 GMT

why not just say "come in your favorite holiday attire."

i honestly prefer to dress "holiday chic/comfortable" and not be overly dressed up in someones home, i find it to be more warm and relaxing that way.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Iwantcoffee — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:25:16 GMT

@freakygirl wrote:
how about, come dressed up or dressed down, just come and have a great time! no need to impose or "suggest" a desired attire.

I would not state a dress code for a party in my home.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

beckyb1012 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:25:16 GMT

That was fine back in the 80's when my former husband and I attended yearly corporate Christmas Parties in Dallas. Long dresses and big Texas hair. Now I would rather attend and "ugly Christmas sweater party." I like Tink's ideal of Festive Attire and let the guest choose.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Burnsite — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:26:53 GMT

Hi, @Spinach2, It depends on your friends. None of mine would turn up for a formal party.

I would suggest, if you wish to do a dressy event, that the dinner be fancy, too. No buffet. No Buffalo wings. You know this already, though.

People won't stay as long at a dressy party--or that's been my experience. Unless you make arrangements for dancing. If the dancing space is there, the party could extend.

Really, it all depends on what is customary in your group of friends. If they are casual, they might not stay long. If they like to dress up, they will linger for hours.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Katcat1 — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:32:13 GMT

When you are young you especially love to dress up or at least I did back in the day. Today everyone is so casual. I don't think the men would like dressing up but the women probably would not mine so it might end up with the women in after 5 dresses and the men in a shirt & pants!

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:37:48 GMT

These days prefer a more casual atrire. I remember the days looking for the best dress, usually to out do the others. Now I enjoy good food, good friends and a comfortable pair of slacks

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Mz iMac — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:40:24 GMT

@Spinach2

"Dress: Festive Attire"

That's my cue to show wearing my raindeer ears w/bells & my Santa sweat shirt. Later in the evening after a couple of drinks I'll switch to my elf hat & my Rudolf red nose.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

jaxs mom — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:41:06 GMT

It depends on your friends.

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

Caaareful Shopper — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:43:20 GMT

I see more Christmas Party invitations that say "Festive Attire." That doesn't help much, but at least the invited guests know the venue (your home) and can then pretty much pull together a very nice outfit, without it being formal. Comfortable, but holiday special (another non-helpful term, I know -- LOL). I think that attire makes everyone feel comfortable, while it's still something more than your typical "house party."

Re: CHRISTMAS PARTY ATTIRE - POLL

DiAnne — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 17:44:04 GMT

I think stating a dress code such as already suggested "festive attire" is a good idea. If you are going to the trouble and expense to have the party I think the guests should take the effort to dress up. When I cook for the holidays my family knows better than to show up in jeans. I think it is just respectful. There used to be a dress code called "California Casual" on many invites - it meant no jeans.