The holiday season brings a string of holy, jolly parties that can seem daunting, especially for hosts. Just planning a holiday party can be stressful, not to mention all the setup and cleanup involved.
If you find yourself hosting a holiday party this year, have no fear because we make it easy and simple with our guide to hosting holiday parties in St. Petersburg.
Every group has its holiday traditions, so our guide is geared toward tackling the biggest decisions of entertainment, like how to decorate and what to eat and drink.
Related Read: Catering in St. Pete and Clearwater For The Holidays
How to Host Holiday Parties in St. Petersburg?
Decorations
Although you probably already have Christmas decorations, you may want to get some new pieces for added festive flair. You might even want to switch things up and get a new set of decorations for a fresh theme.
There are plenty of chain stores in the area that sells decorations, but why not shop locally? Not only does this support our community, but you’ll also find gorgeous Christmas decor that nobody else will have!
One local decor shop in St. Petersburg that carries Christmas items now is Treehouse Gallery, offering an eclectic selection of rustic furniture and accessories. If you’re shopping on a budget, do swing by. There might be holiday sales!
If you want to take a trip down Memory Lane and shop at a good, old-fashioned Christmas house, head straight to Robert’s Christmas Wonderland. Just north of St. Petersburg in Clearwater, this local shop is filled to the brim with ornaments, trees, lights, figurines, and other decorations: everything you need to get into the holiday spirit!
Food and Drinks
There’s no wrong way to put on a meal for a holiday party. You can have a sit-down meal at the table or set up a buffet; you can cook everything yourself or have each of your guests bring a dish.
If you want to avoid cooking altogether, however, you can hire a restaurant to put on the spread instead. Not sure who to go with? If your holiday party is more casual or wants a more budget-friendly option, you can have a local restaurant like Better Byrd cater. This St. Petersburg restaurant offers its whole menu for catering, including chicken tenders and wings, taco and sandwich platters, wraps and rolls, and a smorgasbord of sides.
Where there’s food, there are drinks, especially at a holiday party. Everyone has their favorites, but why not invite some options that are unique to St. Pete? 3 Daughters Brewing will add some holiday cheer to your party with their selection of high-quality craft beers, most notably Beach Blonde and Bimini Twist IPA.
Related content: Best Craft Breweries in St. Petersburg
Desserts are the angel tree toppers of the holiday spread. Family favorites and crowd-pleasers are a given, but what if there’s still room left on your dessert table?
Ditch the grocery store bakeries and get your holiday desserts from some of the best in St. Petersburg, like Cassis Bakery and Cake Affection. Cassis Bakery is a French-American bakery with cakes, cookies, and pastries that will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. You can also never go wrong with Cake Affection and its award-winning gourmet cupcakes, cakes, and other desserts.
Related content: Best Desserts in St. Pete and Clearwater to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Hosting a holiday party can be taxing at times, but we hope our suggestions for local St. Petersburg businesses will make your endeavor much easier.
Find more ideas for Christmas in St. Petersburg by registering on 727area, your free guide to the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area.
Cover photo courtesy of Pxhere