10 Dos and Don'ts for the Perfect Holiday Party

Celebrity event planner shares his top tips with BET.com.

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How to Deck the Halls in Style - Whether you’re heading out to a holiday party or throwing one of your own this season, we’re helping you do it stress-free and in style. We sat down with celebrity event planner Jamahl L. King, CEO of S.T.E.P.S. Event Planning, in Atlanta, who shares his best tips for both hosts and guests. By Britt Middleton Take notes! (Photo: Don Bayley/GettyImages)

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The Perfect Guest List - “You definitely want to invite your near and dear friends and close family. Invite them even if you know they may not be able to attend,” said King, whose A-List clientele includes Malinda Williams, Ne-Yo and Keith Sweat. “The tricky part of it, especially during the holidays, is the plus one, or inviting other guests. On your invitations you can ask guests to limit their plus ones, but during the holidays most people do travel in twos.” You’ll also want to be clear with guests if the event is an adults-only affair, he said. (Photo: GettyImages)  

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Choosing the Right Theme - Themed holiday parties are a great way to create a memorable experience for your guests. He said a 1920s or 1930s-themed bash, “where people can look classic and dress up,” is always a hit for the holidays. “People also really like the winter white events. Keep in mind that most of your guests are being invited to five to 10 events during the holiday season, so you want to excite them to make sure they come to yours.” (Photo: GettyImages)  

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What's on the Menu? - “The hot ticket item of the season is definitely the mini beef burgers. And everybody loves chicken kabobs,” he said. “Don’t do chicken wings because they’re so messy. Cheese is becoming one of those options that a lot of people are backing away from.” For veggies, King lists broccoli, cauliflower and celery as always safe bets. (Photo: Lauri Patterson/GettyImages)

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Do Label Menu Items - As more people are becoming health conscious, King thinks a good host should accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. “Naming items on your catering menu is definitely a must. Whether you’re passing the food or doing a buffet, definitely tag it just to let people know what they’re eating.” (Photo: Mint Images/ Tim Robbins/GettyImages) 

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Setting the Mood - “Candles set such an ambiance and tone. If you’re able to get the candles with scent, it also adds an ambiance in the room and creates a smell that really [gives you] that holiday feeling,” said King. “Definitely also have a fabulous Christmas tree that can also play as the backdrop for pictures. Custom ornaments are not that expensive, so I would definitely suggest doing some if it’s within your budget.” (Photo: Betsie Van der Meer/GettyImages)

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Get the Party Started - Make sure that your DJ mixes in classic holiday jams to keep guests in a festive mood. “Depending on the level of your event, karaoke is a good way to keep people’s attention. A Christmas carol performance is always a nice little touch that people don’t expect.” (Photo: Blend Images/Jill Giardino/GettyImages)

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Create Lasting Memories - Long after the party’s over, a customized party favor will help your guest remember the night for years to come. “I love the custom Christmas ornaments. You can go online and order them. Also, a nice holiday [music] mix CD where they can just stick it in their cars. Record a personal message along with it for a customized touch." Custom-made picture frames are also great keepsakes and are perfect for displaying snapshots from your party. (Photo: Daryl Solomon/GettyImages)

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Party Responsibly - If you’re serving alcohol at your soiree, King recommends arranging for a car service to be on-call or have taxi cabs directly outside the venue to ensure your guests get home safely. If you’re a guest at a party, consider taking a cab there or ask a friend to be your designated driver. (Photo: Baris Simsek/GettyImages)

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Dress for the Occasion - For hosts, “I always say, "Go for a holiday color," which would be your reds and greens. I also love maroon for the holidays,” said King. “Accent it with gold or silver. That really adds a nice little pop. If you don't want to do the full-on holiday look, there are nice little holiday pendants you can put on.” And ladies, be sure to keep a nice pair of slippers handy so you can step out of those heels when needed, he suggests. (Photo: GettyImages) 

Ship Gifts in Advance - If you are flying, why weigh your check-in bags down with gifts? Shop online or ship your gifts to their destinations in advance. If you are sending perishable items, make sure you ship them appropriately, ideally with next-day delivery. Be sure to track your packages to insure their arrival.(Photo: Oleksiy Maksymenko/Getty Images)

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Be a Gracious Guest - If you’re a guest at the party, thank your host for their hospitality. “Wine, candles and cookies or some type of sweets are the three popular items.” Don’t show up empty handed. “It’s a major faux pas, especially during the holidays. You can even go as inexpensive as a card." (Photo: GettyImages)