Beijing's Hottest Party Planners Share Ten Tips For a Flawless Holiday Bash

By now, the decision is made. With airfares increasing and the number of available seats going down, if you don’t have a holiday plane ticket in hand, then you’re preparing for a festive period spent right here in Beijing. The good news is the colored lights and other decorations can stay up until after Spring Festival (January 31 next year) and absolutely no one will notice.

Although just about every international hotel and most Western restaurants will be serving holiday meals and holding themed parties, many people prefer to be in their own space, with their own food, own music, and most important, close friends. It may be party time, but this is the time of year to bring the party home.

How do you plan a party at your place where everyone has a good time, including you?

We spoke with some of the city’s top event organizers to bring you the best tips for making your year-end house bash a night to remember.

1. Guest List

“I put a lot of thought into which guests to invite because I try to create the right mix that will determine the chemistry of the evening. I never invite anybody rude or affected or obnoxious or loud to my home or dinner. These sorts of people vex the spirit,” said Sara Jane Ho, founder of etiquette instruction firm Institute Sarita.

“If you’re running a guest list, stick to it. If your name’s not on the list, you’re a party crasher!” – DJ Chozie Ma, founder of Bang Entertainment Producers.

2. Menu Planning
“Invite guests to bring food. International pot-lucks are the best,” said Erin Henshaw, Corporate & Charity Events Manager at The Hutong.

Leading shops featuring imported goods such as Jenny Lou’s and April Gourmet will offer seasonal products, of course at a premium. Consider making the menu Beijing-specific. Any jiaozi shop can fill an order placed in advanced, or try Green Bites (8590 0475) for delivery. Beijing’s famous Quan Ju De duck restaurant does duck sets for takeaway, usually via a take-out window on the side of the main storefront. Ma la xiao long xia (spicy crayfish) could be messy fun.

3. Decorations
Santa hats for everyone at the table could be quite nice, but don’t bother with tinsel, it makes your front room look like the porridge restaurant around the corner that has had the same flimsy tinsel in the window since Christmas ‘05. To deck the halls properly, visit Kookus.com for a full selection of Christmas decorations, from the traditional to the humorous.

4. Music and Entertainment
“A good playlist and sound system! People underestimate the importance of music to set the right kind of mood. I recommend pre-selecting enough music to play on shuffle for the length of the party so that songs aren't repeated multiple times. The speakers should be spread throughout the room so the sound is even.” – Kristen Lum

“Few things add fun and flare to a party like a supply of fake mustaches. It's great for the guys who just shaved off their Movember ‘stache, but are still nostalgic for lip fur, and it's a proverbial party hat for girls. The top floor of Yashow has a great selection, as well as Tianyi Market on the west Second Ring Road, and Silk Market.” – Alex Edmunds

“Did you forget Twister?” – DJ Chozie

5. Drinks
 “I find people always run out of ice and mixers so best to stock up on everything as your party guest can get demanding.  If you’re a bring-your-own (BYO) type and not the host with the most then make sure you tell your guest to bring things and better to tell them what you want. And a party is not a party without tequila and plenty of it. ” – DJ Chozie

“Have enough glassware for everyone. It's awkward to drink wine or a cocktail out of a coffee mug or plastic cup.” –Kristen Lum

Local favorites Jenny Lou’s and April Gourmet will deliver groceries and ice, with some outlets open as late as midnight (see their listings on theBeijinger.com for phone numbers and hours of operation).

6. Secret Santa
It’s that time of the party. Time to sit around and loudly dole out a series of “joke” gifts (up to but not exceeding RMB 100 in cash value). Avoid the sex shops – you won’t be the only bright spark to have considered it, and spare them the Yashow T-shirt. Just get them a bottle of booze if you’re that stuck for inspiration.

7. Jello Shots
The buttress of the middle of any good party. It’s the point where the party swings from a slightly stuffy and marginally tedious affair into a bona fide partay. Bring in guests from different circles of friends into one big melting pot with some strong (but not too strong, or only the guys from the rugby club will drink them) jello shots. Get the measures right, make sure they get enough time in the fridge, and avoid the green jelly – it’s foul. Localize the experience by using bai jiu. Only problem – it tastes like bai jiu.

8. Neighbors
It’s just a regular old Wednesday for your Chinese neighbors. A house full of revelers and your music cranked risks their ire, and they’re so nice all year round. Best to try to keep them onside. A box of mandarin oranges ought to do it, but most importantly, let them know ahead of time – noise and large numbers of unexpected foreign visitors are a Saturday night surprise worth avoiding.

9. Dancing
“Playlist, people. Get your party journey right. That includes having get-the-f*ck-out songs ready for the end of the night. Have extra slippers for the girls. You don't want unhappy, dirty feet as you might get lucky and have to rub them later.” – DJ Chozie

10. Aftermath

“It’s best to have a helper or maid on standby to clean while the party is going. You know you’re going to be too wasted to clean in the morning. This way you can get really wild and wake up to a clean house. Also, have taxi or other drivers on call for your guests. You don't want people waiting out in the Beijing cold after a house bender.” – DJ Chozie

Happy Holidays from the Beijinger!

A version of this article appears in the December 2013 issue of the Beijinger

Photo: Sharpenstudio

Illustrations: Micky Pan