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Your guide to the perfect Christmas party

Kat Trinh

Wed Dec 18 2013

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CHRISTMAS is coming to town! What are your plans for the holiday? Kat Trinh has some tips and tricks for throwing the best Christmas party ever. 

Christmas is traditionally a time for family, but for those us international students who can’t make it home for the holidays, it can be a pretty crummy time of year.

Rather than get down in the dumps, Meld is running a bunch of articles to help you create a memorable Christmas away from home with your new adopted family – i.e. your friends! And there is no better way to get the party started than to literally get the party started.

Here’s our how-to for a fun Christmas party that’s so affordable you can stand to invite the entire apartment building!

1. Set up a photobooth

Everyone loves a photobooth! It’s a great way to get the party started and make sure different groups mingle with each other. Colourful, fun photos are also the perfect way to preserve all those memories.

Photobooths are easy and quick to set up. All you need is a festive background, a tripod and a camera.

To add some more fun, you can make photobooth props. Pinterest is a great source to find inspiration for all kinds of Christmas photobooth ideas!

2. Bake holiday treats

It's hard to find a more festive party centrepiece than a gingerbread house. Photo: Carrie Stephens via Flickr

It’s hard to find a more festive party centrepiece than a gingerbread house. Photo: Carrie Stephens via Flickr.

Christmas is all about sweet treats! Gingerbread is a Christmas signature and super easy to bake. You can challenge yourself by baking a traditional snow-flecked gingerbread house or spice things up by making a modern-style gingerbread house, like the one featured on the Oh Happy Day blog.

If it’s too much to make a whole house, you can make a little army of gingerbread men. It’s always great to have some sweet snacks for the holiday.

3. Get decorating

Bring a little festive cheer to your house with decorations. Photo: Little Stuff.me via Flickr

Bring a little festive cheer to your house with decorations. Photo: Little Stuff.me via Flickr

Believe me, the best part of a holiday is preparing for it. And the preparation for any party can’t be completed without decorations!

It’s really easy to pop into craft stores or supermarkets and grab some Christmas decorations. But why not save yourself some money and makes the decorations on your own? It’s way cheaper and it’s a way to let your individuality and style shine.

The traditional Christmas decoration is a wreath. All you need is some wires, leafy branches, ribbons and berries for a fancy touch. Having a wreath in your room or on the door will instantly bring in the Christmas cheer.

When I am stuck for decoration ideas for any kind of party, I always seek inspiration from popular lifestyle blog Oh Happy Day. It’s a good source for DIY projects, decoration, party ideas and all that.

For the Christmas season, the blog features loads of festive decorations that are easy and affordable. For example, their paper Christmas bells can be made in less than 30 minutes with leftover craft papers and strings.

4. Play some games

Christmas is a time to come together with friends and have fun.

Instead of going to a dance club, why not spend the holiday with your Melbourne-based loved ones?

You can prepare some board games, some holiday movies (Home Alone never goes out of style), cups of chocolate and marshmallows and call it a night.

If this is the first time you’re spending Christmas in Australia, like me, take to the Melbourne streets with your closest friends and admire all the beautiful Christmas lights. It’s not often that you get to enjoy the holiday in a different way from what you’ve always done at home.

Just don’t forget to call your parents and wish them the best. No matter where you are or who you spend your Christmas Day with, remember to simply have fun and enjoy the holiday to the fullest!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Meld!

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