Top Tips for Hosting Holiday Gatherings in Your Apartment Home

Group of cheerful young people enjoying food and drinks while spending nice time in comfortable chairs on the kitchen together

Even though it is one of the most exciting times of the year, hosting during the holiday season can be challenging and stressful in any situation. It is important to be prepared for what lies ahead, especially in an apartment home where space to host more than a few guests can be limited. To ensure you have a successful holiday gathering in your Arcadia Run apartment home, get your chef’s hat on and take a look at some of our most helpful tips for getting the gang together to celebrate this season!

 

Adjust as necessary

It is probably hard to imagine hosting a holiday gathering, large dinner party, or even a small wine tasting in your apartment home with limited square footage. To make your space seem larger, change around your setup temporarily to fit an extra-long table, a few different hors d’oeuvres stations, or an empty room for dancing. If you realize you need additional seating or supplies last minute, call up your neighbor-turned-friend and ask to borrow some in exchange for holiday baked goods.

 

Use your imagination

Sturdy boxes, floor pillows, and end tables can be chairs too you know! Getting creative with your resources is a great way to save some money and also get an A+ for originality. If you don’t have a tablecloth big enough for the monstrous dining table you set up across the entire room, overlay a few different ones for a patchwork effect. Looking for some cool centerpieces but don’t want to put in the cash? Buy a few decorative items from the dollar store and spray paint them gold!

 

Make the food prep easy on yourself

Preparing food and snacks ahead of time will make your holiday gathering much easier on everyone in attendance, specifically you and your roommates. Find dishes, appetizers, and beverages that you can prepare ahead of time and take straight out of the fridge or warm up in the oven before the party. Our upgraded kitchens in every Arcadia Run apartment home allow a ton of space to get everything ready with ease. The point of hosting an event is to enjoy the company of people who you care about, not to enjoy the company of your oven!

 

Do your best to let loose

There is nothing worse than attending a holiday gathering and feeling like a nuisance rather than a welcomed guest. If you are the host, try to keep your cool, and if you prepare for the event ahead of time, this won’t be a problem! Don’t let little snags get you down and make sure to leave all of the clean-up for the next day – after all, you deserve it for throwing an amazing party!

 

Head on over to our Pinterest page for more tips and tricks or visit our website to find the perfect apartment home for entertaining this year!

Fun Holiday Events in Manassas!

During the holiday season, there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit around Manassas, VA and even here at Arcadia Run! Check out all of these amazing events happening soon:

Nov 26th – A Christmas Carol: Beginning on November 26th through the next few months, The Center for The Arts at the Candy Factory will be hosting multiple showings of A Christmas Carol. Get into the holiday spirit by going to see one of the most coveted holiday shows of all time right here in Manassas, so check out all show of the show dates.

Nov 26thSmall Business Saturday: Support local businesses here in Manassas by shopping on Small Business Saturday in Downtown Manassas on Nov 26th! Get a head start on your holiday shopping with specials and sales all day long at your favorite local stores.

Nov 28th – Arcadia Run Toy Drive: From this date through December 12th, stop by the clubhouse to donate a new toy to families in need with Arcadia Run’s “Gifting for Families” toy drive. After all, it is the season for giving!

Nov 29thManassas Gingerbread Contest: Each year the town of Manassas holds their annual Gingerbread House Contest that runs from November 29th to December 16th. Stop by various shops throughout Historic Downtown to vote for your favorite entry! The winners will be chosen on December 16th.

Nov 30thSwing Machine Big Band’s 5th Annual Christmas Extravaganza: Join the Hylton Performing Arts Center for this annual holiday music event form 7:30-9pm!

Dec 2ndMerry Old Town Christmas Tree Lighting: A classic celebration with old-fashioned family fun, this year’s tree lighting is going to be one for the books! Enjoy the sweet sounds of classic holiday music from special musical guests and await Santa’s arrival on the train before the town’s tree is illuminated! This celebration will take place from 5-8pm.

Dec 3rd71st Greater Manassas Christmas Parade: From 10am-12pm, join the Greater Manassas area for a longtime tradition spanning generations, featuring over 2000 participants and 100 units! 

Dec 15thThe Nutcracker: The Manassas Ballet Theater and Manassas Theater Orchestra are putting on a brilliant rendition of this classic Christmas tale. Bring the whole family to the show for an unforgettable night at the Hylton Performing Arts Center for one of the 10 show days!

Dec 17th – Arcadia Run Holiday Party: Join your friends, family, and neighbors for a fun holiday party at the Arcadia Run Clubhouse from 12pm-4pm. There will be carolers, games, food, and more!

 

Holiday Events in Manassas

Holiday Events In Manassas

The holidays are finally here at Arcadia Run in Manassas, VA, what better way to celebrate than with a nice evening out on the town? And by that we mean in Downtown Manassas of course! There are so many festive activities going on throughout the area during the next few weeks, so take a look at this schedule for holiday happenings in Manassas! 

 

 

Deck the Museum

All month long

The Manassas Museum

Featuring art made by kindergarten and first grade children, the holiday exhibit at the Manassas Museum will be open all month long!

 

A Christmas Carol

Dec 11th 7-9pm, Dec 12th 2-4pm, 7-9pm, Dec 13th 2-4pm

Center for the Arts

Come enjoy an excellent performance of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, brought to you by Rooftop Productions.

 

Arcadia Run Holiday Party

Dec 12th from 12-3pm

Arcadia Run Clubhouse

All residents are invited to the annual holiday party where there will be food, fun, caroling, and prizes!

 

Winter Farmer’s Market

Dec 12th, 19th, and 26th from 9am-1pm

Lot B @ Prince William St. & West St.

This limited time farmers market will feature local vendors selling amazing treats and crafts.

 

Carriage Rides Around Downtown

Dec 13th & 20th from 1-4pm

Manassas Train Depot

Tour the streets of Historic Downtown Manassas in a horse drawn carriage.

 

Stocking Stuffer Sale

Dec 14th from 7am-3pm

Novant Health Prince William Medical Center

Join the community and stock up on small accessories, gifts, and snacks for the holiday season.

 

Winter Wonderland Train Show

Dec 16-20, 5-8pm

Center for the Arts

The National Capital Trackers will bring back their expansive holiday landscape & railroad community. (Back by popular demand!)

 

The Nutcracker

Dec 17th & 18th @ 7:30pm, Dec 19th @ 3pm & 7:30pm, Dec 20-23 @ 3pm

Hylton Performing Arts Center

Hurry and get your tickets for this favorite holiday ballet, presented by the Manassas Ballet Theatre.

 

Ugly Sweater Party

Dec 19th from 5-10pm

Heritage Brewing Company

In addition to other events throughout the month, Heritage Brewing Company is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party!

Source: http://visitmanassas.org/events/