You're excited to be planning your very first big holiday bash, but you aren't quite sure where to start. How can you make sure you throw a party that really blows all of your guests away? Any Christmas party planning should start with the basics. Once the framework is in place, you can add all of the special touches that will turn your party from nice to downright amazing.

The first thing you'll need to do is decide on the theme and size of the party. Will it be a formal dinner for 12 or a major costume party bash for 75? Once you know how many people you'll be inviting and what type of party you're having, you'll know whether you can accomodate your guests in your home or whether you'll have to book a hall or a restaurant's banquet room instead.

Next, you'll need to decide on the menu. Catered appetizers and an open bar will work better in a small space, but the party will have a very different atmosphere than an event where you've cooked a sit down dinner for a few close friends and family members.

Once you have those details figured out, it is time to invite the guests. While you can buy paper invitations, fill out the information about the party and print and affix address labels to the envelopes, it is so much quicker and easier to use an online party invitation site to send out virtual invites.