Holiday Open House Invitations: What to Say

What to include

• The words "open house" or "drop in", so the format is clear.
• The date and the full time window.
• The address, with parking notes. Cars will come and go all afternoon.
• What you are serving: snacks, desserts, drinks, a buffet.
• Whether kids, partners and friends are welcome.
• A gift note, if you prefer none.
• How to reply, even if it is only a rough yes or no.

Wording to copy

• "Holiday open house at the Parkers'. Drop in any time between 2 and 6 pm on December 14, at 9 Larch Close. Cocoa, cookies and good company."
• "Our door is open. Stop by for a drink and a bite on December 20, any time from 4 to 8 pm. Come when you can, leave when you must."
• "Join us for a holiday open house on December 21, from 1 to 5 pm. Bring the kids, bring a friend. No gifts, please."
• "New house, first holiday season. Come see the place and raise a glass with us. December 13, from 3 to 7 pm, at 8 Orchard Road."
• "Neighbors' open house. Soup, bread and something warm to drink. December 7, from noon to 4 pm. Stay for ten minutes or two hours."

Choosing the time window

Three to four hours is the usual length. Shorter than that and it turns into a regular party. Longer and you will be worn out before the last guest arrives.

A weekend afternoon suits families and older guests, while an early evening window on a weekday suits coworkers and neighbors who can stop by on the way home. Avoid a window that covers a full mealtime unless you plan to serve a meal.

Expect two busy spells: one in the first hour and one near the end. The middle is usually quieter.

Lines for the details

• Format: "No set program. Drop in whenever suits you."
• Food: "We will have finger food and sweets all afternoon."
• Kids: "Children are welcome. There will be a craft table."
• Gifts: "Please don't bring anything. Just come."
• Giving back: "If you like, bring a canned item for the food bank box by the door."
• Replies: "A quick yes or no helps us plan the food."
• Shoes: "We are a shoes-off house. Bring cozy socks."

Food and drinks for a drop-in crowd

Choose food that holds up at room temperature and can be eaten standing: cheese, bread, dips, cut vegetables, small sandwiches, cookies and bars. Skip anything that has to be served hot at a set moment.

Put out half the food at the start and refill as you go, so the last guests find a table that still looks fresh. A self-serve drinks spot, with one warm drink and one cold, keeps you out of the kitchen.

Planning around loose replies

Not everyone answers a drop-in invitation, and some of those who say yes will stay ten minutes. Send it three to four weeks ahead, before December fills up, and treat the replies as a rough guide: plan food for about two thirds of the people you invited and keep extra in reserve.

A short reminder two days ahead, with the time window and the address, brings in the guests who meant to reply and forgot.

Host checklist

• A clear spot for coats and boots near the door.
• Small plates, napkins and cups in more than one place.
• A trash can and a tray for used glasses in plain sight.
• Background music at a level people can talk over.
• A helper for the busy first hour.
• Backup snacks you can put out in a minute.

A long guest list and one link

Open house lists run long and mixed: neighbors, coworkers, family and friends who don't share a group chat. Blast is an animated video invitation with music that you send as a link by text, WhatsApp or email, so the same invite goes to every circle and shows each of them the drop-in window. There is no limit on the number of guests, and they can send their yes or no from the invite without an account. Blast is free to create and send.