It seems like the holidays are ever-looming in the near future. And with that comes holiday parties—which are, more often than not, boring and awkward. However, there’s no reason you can’t throw your own holiday party this year.

Invite the People You Want to Invite

When someone else plans a holiday party, they’re going to invite whoever they want to invite. And that includes some people you may not get along with. When you throw a party, YOU can invite whoever YOU want to invite. The guest list is entirely at your discretion, so invite who you want.

Create Your Own Theme and Go with It

Throwing your own holiday party comes with the task of a theme. You can decorate any way you please, using a theme that makes you and your guests happy. Think hard to come up with some enjoyable—something your guests would appreciate.

Games, Secret Santa, and All the Christmas Frills

What would your holiday party look like? What games would you play? What Christmas frills will your guests remember? These are the kinds of questions to ask yourself when planning the best holiday bash. Secret Santa is always a go-to, especially for close-knit friends, coworkers, and loved ones. But there’s always games like Dirty Santa, White Elephant, and for kids, Pin the Nose on Rudolph. If you opt for classic, kind-of drunken party games, like cornhole, invest in some cornhole lights for chilly outdoor entertainment.

You Get to Play Host or Hostess the Way You Want

The whole draw to throwing your own Christmas bash is playing host or hostess the way you want. You can be the fun, quirky host with all the jokes, loads of anecdotes, and the chance to mingle with everyone. Or, you could go the busy host route, serving up delicious appetizers, refilling drinks, and making sure everyone has a great time.

If You’d Rather Stay Home Alone, Make it a Party for One

If throwing a holiday party is the last thing you’d ever want to do, make it a celebration for one. No one said you have to invite guests. You can have your own party. Dish out your favorite snacks, light a few candles to add to the twinkling glow of your Christmas lights, and have a glass of wine or two. Celebrate by relaxing with all of your favorite things.

When you start feeling that familiar Christmas spirit, make it a point to plan the celebration that best suits your idea of fun.