I love holiday party season, but after your fourth straight year of attending the same silly sweater party, things can start to feel a little stale. If you’re looking for a fresh new way to give your holiday party a fun twist, try out some of these ideas for unique and super chic holiday party inspiration!

Refined Retro

Like the classic Santa on holiday Coke bottles, there’s something fitting about blending holiday style with retro charm. Give your holiday party a vintage twist for a festive fete that’s sure to be fabulous.

Creative Displays

Giving your holiday party a lift can be as easy as freshening up your presentation. I love the idea of serving cupcakes on upside-down cupcake pans, or adding lollipops to cocktails for a burst of fun color.

Alternative Entertainment

Who says you have to play charades? Transform your nutcracker party into a trip to see the ballet performed nearby, with cocktails after the curtain goes down. You could also have a casual showing of your favorite holiday movies or attend a local choir performance.

Foodie Fun

Make your event easier (and more fun for guests!) but organizing a potluck. You can also consider hosting a brunch, afternoon cocoa & cocktails party or evening wine & dessert party to have a little fun with your food choices for the festivities.

Invitations to Match

• Retro Chic: Seasonal Splash Holiday Party Invitations

• Creative Displays: Patterned Cheers Holiday Party Invitations

• Unique Entertainment: Sparkling Snowflakes Holiday Party Invitations

• Fresh Food Ideas:  Dotty Dazzle Holiday Party Invitations

This summer, one of my dear friends was dragged to an engagement party, a bridal shower, a bachelorette weekend (not just one night!), another bridal shower and, of course, the wedding. She was asked to bring gifts to every event, and to help pay for the parties more often than not.

The real kicker is, she wasn’t in the bridal party. She was the only non-bridal party guest who was expected to be at every event because she’s know the bride since they were kids.

What wedding events should be mandatory for non-bridal party members? Who should be expected to pay for extra events? What’s the proper protocol for close friends who aren’t bridesmaids or groomsmen? Rant or rave about it!

Every time we have an event in the Wedding Paper Divas offices, the girls and I inevitably end up talking about how hard it is to juggle a plate of food, a glass of wine and a tote and still look fabulous while snacking on canapes.

Since it’s the perfect season for barbecues, pool parties, pre-wedding cocktail events and other summer soirees, I set out to find the best ways to balance a drink with a plate of food. Here’s a list of the latest and greatest inventions, along with links to help you find out where to buy them.

Trust me—your guests will love you for it!

For the Casual Event: Go Plates

For the BBQ: Plastic Plates with Drink Holders

For an Evening of Wine Tasting: Drink Mates

For a Fun Outdoor Event: Wine and Dine Plates and Glasses

For the Ultimate Chic Cocktail Party: Sebastian Conran’s Fiesta Collection