Free download · Parties
Free Holiday Party Planning Kit
December is the busiest month for event bookings in the Chicago area, and the weather adds its own challenges. This kit helps you lock in a date early, plan food and drinks, and handle coats, snow, and parking so the party feels easy for your guests.
What's inside
Everything in the kit
- Planning Timeline
- Party Type Checklist
- Winter Logistics Checklist
- Food and Drink Amounts
- Budget Split
- Tips for a Smooth Holiday Party
- Party Worksheet
Files you get
- PDFHoliday Party Kit (PDF)Printable kit with timeline, checklists, tables and a fill-in worksheet
Read next
Guides that go with this download
- Chicago Winter Event Planning: Snow, Cold and Early SunsetsA practical guide to planning a winter event in Chicago, with January weather normals, early sunset lighting, snow-ready deliveries and indoor seating layouts.
- Chicago Winter Holiday Party Season: When to Book EverythingPlan a Chicago winter holiday party with a booking timeline for venues, caterers, rentals and entertainment, plus coat storage, weather and date tips.
- Coat Racks for Winter Events in Chicago: How Many to RentHow many coat racks and hangers a Chicago winter event needs, where to put a coat check, staffing and a simple layout that avoids a line at the door.
- Company Holiday Party Planning Timeline: Month by MonthA company holiday party planning timeline from August kickoff to the last toast, with budget, venue, catering and rental milestones for Chicago-area teams.
- Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt Planning for Chicago FamiliesPlan an Easter brunch and egg hunt with a timeline, menu amounts, egg counts by age, seating for a crowd and a rain and cold plan for a Chicago-area spring.
- Friendsgiving for 20: Tables, Chairs and a Buffet That WorksHost Friendsgiving for 20 with a long-table layout, buffet flow, kids table and the rentals you need. Counts for 12 to 30 guests and a Chicago November plan.
- Dinnerware for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving: Counts for 12 to 30What to rent for a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dinner: plates, flatware, glasses and serving ware for 12, 20 and 30 guests, plus a day-before timeline.
- Halloween Party Planning Guide: Ideas, Food and LayoutPlan a Halloween party for kids or adults with themes, food amounts, spooky decor, a simple layout, safety tips and Chicago-area weather and rental advice.
- Hanukkah Party Planning: Menu, Candles, Games, SeatingPlan a Hanukkah party with a menorah lighting, latke bar, dreidel games and seating for 20 to 80 guests, plus Chicago winter coat and parking tips.
Questions
About the Holiday Party Planning Kit
When should we book a December holiday party in Chicago?
By late summer or early fall for Friday and Saturday dates in December, which are the first to go at venues and rental companies.
Is the holiday party kit really free?
Yes. Enter your email and the download links appear right away, with no account needed. You can unsubscribe from planning emails at any time.
Will the spreadsheets work in Google Sheets or Numbers?
Yes. The Excel files open in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets (File, then Import) and Apple Numbers, and the formulas keep working. CSV versions are there for any tool that prefers plain columns.
Can I share it with my partner, family or committee?
Yes. Print it, forward it or upload it to a shared drive. It is free for personal and nonprofit planning use.
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