Keep the mix in mind

Remember, the big night isn’t just about you and the people you want to hang out with—the girls and guys need to get along with each other, too. If you’re sticking to one social circle, try to invite everyone in the group. If mom is limiting your invites, see if you can make a compromise—perhaps a big brunch party in the a.m. with a smaller sleepover the night before? And when it comes to picking and choosing from different circles, make sure everyone has at least one person they’d be comfortable hanging with all night long. No one wants to be the wallflower, after all!

Get the basics down

Talk with Mom and Dad about how many people you are allowed to invite, where and when you can throw your party and what the ground rules are going to be. Can you have guys over, too? What’s your party budget? What room can you hang in? Now’s the time to set your theme, too.

Send out the invites

Receiving invitations in the mail or even at your locker or desk is a fun thing, but let’s face it: evites are cheaper and expedite the process. Bonus? They let your guests see who else has been invited and who is planning the come or, uh, not. Our favorite invite sites include paperlesspost.com and postmark.com. (Love the invite above? Get it here!)

Are you throwing a party this holiday season? What theme are you thinking about? Tell us in the comments!

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016