![\"party\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/party.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo:\u00a0Iryna Yeroshko\/Flickr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nYour tree may be artificial and you may lack a mantel on which to hang the stockings with care but hosting a holiday get-together in a condominium is entirely possible, according to event planner Kristina Chau of Not Your Average Party<\/a>. Here she provides 10 tips on small space entertaining.<\/p>\n 1. Give your neighbours and doorman advance warning — they\u2019ll be less likely to complain.<\/b>\u00a0“Noise can definitely be an issue so be conscious of the time and on what day of the week you\u2019re hosting the party. Be respectful to your neighbours by letting them know ahead of time, or, if you have a good relationship, invite them. In most cities, noise is permitted until 11 o\u2019clock — after that it\u2019s time to turn down the volume.”<\/p>\n 2. Don\u2019t go overboard with the guestlist.<\/b>\u00a0“Be realistic in terms of the number of people that can fit into your condo. There\u2019s nothing worse than having an overcrowded space, which will also contribute to more noise. If you do wish to have a large guestlist and your condo has a party room, consider renting it. It will cost more, because you\u2019ll have to pay a damage deposit and for extra security, but you\u2019ll be less likely to have noise complaints if your guests are in a contained space, away from other residents.”<\/p>\n 3. Utilize alternative seating to maximize space. <\/b>“I like the casual style of standing with a mix of a little seating — but not too much. You want people to be able to flow and mingle. Cocktail style parties work best in condos, where you can make use of a dining room table or an island as a communal food table for people to stand around. Floor cushions, ottomans and folding chairs work well for extra seating.”<\/p>\n 4. Spike the punch bowl.<\/b>\u00a0“Punch is one of the greatest beverages for this time of year — it\u2019s a time saver because you can make it in advance. I like to use fun, seasonal ingredients that add festive color like cranberries, pomegranate and blood orange. Again, always consider the size of your party — if it\u2019s really intimate, you can make personal cocktails for your guests and have a customized menu. But if it\u2019s a bigger party, consider hiring a mixologist. The key is simplicity, because you\u2019re going to be running around the condo all night. Also, don\u2019t forget to have a mocktail version of whatever you\u2019re serving for those who don\u2019t drink.”<\/p>\n 5. Send out invitations early. <\/b>“I\u2019m not an etiquette stickler but it is a good idea to give plenty of advance notice, especially this time of year. Even a month ahead is warranted because people are super busy. Online invitations are great because they\u2019re easy to make and allow you to manage the guestlist. If you\u2019re hosting a dinner party, you can ask guests about their dietary restrictions. This is extremely helpful because there\u2019s always going to be someone in the mix who doesn\u2019t or can\u2019t eat everything. I like to use Paperless Post, Greenvelope<\/a>, Punchbowl and Evite.”<\/p>\n 6. Be prepared.<\/b>\u00a0“Think of your menu in advance and go shopping at least a week before. Then, you can spread out the food prep over a few days — you don\u2019t want to concentrate all of the cooking on the day of the party.”<\/p>\n 7. Deck the halls, but not too much.<\/b>\u00a0“Keep the decor minimal. Pick a theme and stick to it. Personally, I like to choose a color scheme and integrate it into the accent serving pieces — whether it\u2019s napkins, servingware, tablecloths, etc. Minimalism is key because if you have a small space, you don\u2019t want it to be cluttered with a lot of decor.”<\/p>\n 8. It\u2019s okay to forego the traditional tree.<\/b>\u00a0“With condos, sometimes you can\u2019t fit a full-sized tree into your space. I\u2019ve seen a lot of table-sized trees this year, which are super cute and only about $20. There are many great alternatives out there.”<\/p>\n 9. Chill your beer outdoors.<\/b>\u00a0“If you have a balcony, make use of that space! It\u2019s cold out this time of year, so put your beverages outside to chill. Condos only have so much space in the fridge.”<\/p>\n 10. Take care of yourself.<\/b>\u00a0“As a host, it\u2019s important to get plenty of rest the night before and to stay hydrated. You\u2019ve got to be \u2018on\u2019 until the last guest leaves, it\u2019s your job — whether you\u2019re topping up drinks, refreshing the food, or introducing guests to one another. You want to make sure everybody is having a good time, but for you to also enjoy the party you\u2019ve got to be rested, prepared and hydrated.”<\/p>\n![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo-booth.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo<\/em>: brian\/Flickr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n![\"mulled](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/mulled-wine-1024x694.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo<\/em>:\u00a0rpavich\/Flickr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n![\"tiny](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/tiny-christmas-tree.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo<\/em>: Stacie\/Flickr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n![\"beers](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/beers-in-snow.jpg\")
<\/a>Photo<\/em>: velo_city\/Flickr<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n