(BPT) — The holidays are coming up quickly, and that means there’s plenty of reason to celebrate. Whether you’re throwing a party for the first time or you’re continuing a long-running annual tradition, hosting a festive celebration with friends and family is a lot of work and always worth it. This year, take your party to the next level to truly impress your guests — without breaking the bank.

Consider these five entertaining secrets that expert party planners use to throw unforgettable holiday parties for less:

Themes

Set the stage and get everyone in a festive mood with a great theme. A bit of brainstorming is all you need to figure out the best theme for your celebration. From an outdoor autumn harvest to a New Year’s masquerade, the sky’s the limit. For a fun twist on holiday celebrations, consider having a favorite movie be the theme for the party. Include the theme on the invitations you send so guests know the details!

Food

Whether you’re serving appetizers or planning a full-out feast, food is a party essential. Enhance your food service by renting everything you need for an impressive presentation. Silver food chafers, flatware, serving trays and more are available from your local ARA rental store. The expert staff can make recommendations based on your menu and help you select the perfect items for food and drink. You might even consider renting a few fun extras, such as a chocolate or champagne fountain to really impress guests and make your party stand out.

Entertainment

No great holiday party is complete without entertainment. Let music set the mood by creating a custom playlist. Then amplify those tunes by renting a professional sound system and dance floor to watch guests move and grove. For movie-themed parties, consider renting a projector so guests can view the flick in style! Finally, casino or carnival games are sure way to get everyone involved in the festivities and provide fun for all ages.

Decor

You may already have some decor to use at your holiday-themed party, but to really impress this year, consider fresh ideas for stunning and unexpected decorations. If you prefer the DIY route, visit sites like Pinterest for ideas on how to create beautiful decor. If you’re short on time or simply aren’t crafty, you can rent table linens, runners and centerpieces. Visit www.RentalHQ.com to learn more about affordable holiday decor rental options. When deciding on decor, don’t forget about the importance of lighting. Not only do the right lights create the ideal ambience, they also provide an element of safety and brighten up dark spaces so guests have more room to mingle.

Extras

The extra touches – big and small – are what truly spice up a party and give it that professionally planned feel. Small additions like coat racks eliminate the pile of coats and purses, keeping rooms neat and tidy. Extra chairs ensure guests are comfortable whether they are visiting, eating or drinking. For a truly festive celebration, rent a bar and set up a drink station with all the barware needed to really impress guests. If you’re having a big party, don’t pack into your house — rent a tent and heaters if necessary and let the good times roll!

Come up with a few fresh ideas and rent some unique items that guests won’t expect, and you’ll set a new standard for hosting parties among your friends and family.

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