The Holiday Collection
The short answer: A holiday open house is a relaxed drop-in party: guests come and go during a three- to four-hour window while you serve grazing food and drinks. To host one, pick a weekend afternoon or early evening in early December. Invite people three to four weeks ahead.
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Then plan a make-ahead menu you can refill in small batches, and set up the space so guests can mingle on their own.
As the oldest of three, I grew up as the one my family leaned on to keep everything coordinated. An open house is the most forgiving party there is to coordinate. Plan it on the Holiday Calendar, Holiday Menu and Holiday Grocery List pages of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99).
Holiday open house planning timeline
| When | To-do |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | Pick the date and window, set a budget, send invitations |
| 2 weeks before | Plan the menu, order anything special, borrow slow cookers |
| 1 week before | Shop for nonperishables; bake and freeze cookies |
| 2 to 3 days before | Clean the entry, bathroom and main room; shop for fresh food |
| Day before | Make dips and the slow cooker main; set out serving pieces with labels |
| Day of | Set up drinks, warm the main, put out the first round of platters |
Make-ahead open house menu
Pick food that tastes good warm or at room temperature and can be refilled.
| Course | Ideas | Make ahead? |
|---|---|---|
| Main | Slow cooker meatballs, pulled pork sliders, chili bar | Yes, 1 day |
| Snack board | Cheeses, crackers, fruit, nuts, cured meats | Prep 1 day, assemble day of |
| Dips | Spinach dip, hummus, a warm cheese dip | Yes, 1 to 2 days |
| Sweets | Cookie tray, brownies, fudge | Yes, freeze 2 weeks ahead |
| Drinks | Hot cider in a slow cooker, punch, coffee, water | Day of |
Plan about 6 to 8 bite-size pieces per guest for a drop-in party, and more if the window covers a mealtime. For a gathering built around a dress-up theme, use the ugly Christmas sweater party plan to organize the invitation and activities.
How much food for a holiday open house
Using the guideline above of 6 to 8 bite-size pieces per guest, here is how the totals scale:
| Guests | Bite-size pieces (6 to 8 each) | Sample split |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 120 to 160 | 2 hot dishes, 1 snack board, 1 dip, 1 sweet tray |
| 40 | 240 to 320 | 3 hot dishes, 2 boards, 2 dips, 2 sweets |
| 60 | 360 to 480 | 4 hot dishes, 3 boards, 3 dips, 3 sweets |
If your open house runs through lunch or dinner, plan toward the high end. For more menu ideas, see our Christmas appetizers and Christmas party food lists, and note that an open house on Christmas Day itself works best with a short window and food that holds well at room temperature.
Food safety for a long, drop-in party
Food sits out longer at an open house than at a sit-down dinner. Keep hot dishes in slow cookers at 140°F or above. Our easy slow cooker recipes include plenty that hold well. Nest cold dishes in bowls of ice. The USDA leftovers guide advises that perishable food shouldn't sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Swap in fresh platters instead of topping off old ones. When reheating a main, the FoodSafety.gov temperature chart lists 165°F for leftovers and casseroles.
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Use a food thermometer, such as the Alpha Grillers instant-read meat thermometer, to check serving temperatures. Rubbermaid Brilliance food storage containers are useful for moving small leftover portions into the fridge promptly.
Invitation wording ideas
- "Drop in for cookies and cheer! Saturday, December 12, 1 to 4 p.m. Come and go as you please."
- "Our door is open: join us for a holiday open house, 6 to 9 p.m. Kids welcome."
- "Stop by between errands for cider, snacks and holiday hugs."
Always include the date, the window, the address and an RSVP method so you can estimate food.
Set up the space for flow
- Entry: a coat rack or bed for coats, a welcome sign and a spot for gifts.
- Food table: away from the door so the entry doesn't jam; plates at the start, napkins at the end.
- Drinks: in a separate spot from the food to spread people out.
- Seating: small clusters of chairs in a few rooms so conversations form.
- Lighting: string lights and flameless candles. The CPSC holiday safety tips say never to leave burning candles unattended. That's hard to manage while hosting.
Holiday open house budget
| Item | Low-cost choice | Splurge choice |
|---|---|---|
| Main | Slow cooker meatballs | Catered sliders |
| Sweets | Homemade cookie tray | Bakery desserts |
| Drinks | Hot cider and coffee | Full bar |
| Decor | Greenery and string lights | Fresh flowers and new decor |
| Serveware | Borrowed slow cookers and platters | Rented chafing dishes |
Plan your open house with the rest of December
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) puts your Holiday Budget, Holiday Calendar, Holiday To-Do Timeline, Holiday Menu and Holiday Grocery List in one printable. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) keeps everyday dinners simple during a busy hosting week. The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) includes both plus the Cleaning Schedule for party prep. Browse every holiday printable or our bundles.
Our free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.
See also
The Holiday Collection
Give every person a limit and watch what's left
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner adds up every list for you: a budget for each person, a log of each purchase and the amount left to spend, plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
- Spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets
- 11 printable pages, US Letter + A4
- Instant download, 14-day fix-or-refund promise
Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
What is a holiday open house? A holiday open house is a drop-in party where guests stop by any time during a set window, usually three to four hours, instead of arriving at once. Hosts serve grazing food and drinks, and guests stay as long or as short as they like.
How long should a holiday open house last? Most holiday open houses last three to four hours, such as 1 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. A window that long lets guests fit you in around other December plans without the house getting crowded.
What food do you serve at a holiday open house? Serve food that holds well at a holiday open house: a slow cooker main, a snack board, dips, cookies and a dessert tray. Choose make-ahead dishes you can refill in small batches over the afternoon or evening.
How much food do I need for a holiday open house? For a drop-in holiday open house, plan about 6 to 8 bite-size appetizer pieces per guest, since people come and go and rarely stay the whole time. Increase it if the open house runs over a mealtime.
How do you word a holiday open house invitation? A holiday open house invitation should say "drop in any time" with the start and end time, the address, the date and how to RSVP. A line such as "Stop by for cookies and cheer, come and go as you please" sets the casual tone.
Do guests bring anything to a holiday open house? Guests usually don't need to bring anything to a holiday open house, though many bring a small hostess gift such as cookies or a candle. If you want a potluck, say so clearly on the invitation.
How do you keep food safe at an open house? Keep hot food at 140°F or warmer in slow cookers or chafing dishes, and keep cold food on ice. Put out small platters and replace them, because perishable food shouldn't sit out longer than 2 hours.
How do you plan a holiday open house on a budget? Plan a holiday open house on a budget by choosing one slow cooker main, homemade cookies and one batch drink instead of a full bar. The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner tracks every party cost on its Holiday Budget page next to your gifts.
When is the best time to hold a holiday open house? The best time for a holiday open house is a weekend afternoon or early evening in the first half of December, before calendars fill up. Send invitations three to four weeks ahead.
How do you decorate for a holiday open house? Decorate the entry, food table and main gathering room for a holiday open house, since that's where guests spend their time. Greenery, string lights, a welcome sign and flameless candles go a long way.
What should be on a holiday open house menu? A holiday open house menu should have food that tastes good warm or at room temperature, such as slow cooker meatballs, sliders, a snack board, a dip, a cookie tray and hot cider. Plan about 6 to 8 bite-size pieces per guest, more if the open house covers a mealtime.
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Sources
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- CPSC: Holiday safety cpsc.gov