MANILA, Philippines – All is calm and bright…especially with a well-planned potluck party!

With Christmas just a few days away, the holiday chaos is real — last-minute shopping, Noche Buena preps, and endless errands. Why not take a breather and throw a low-pressure potluck party with your family and friends?

Here are 10 tips to help you host a fun, budget-friendly, and fuss-free potluck party this Christmas (even if it’s last-minute)!

Set a theme

Make your potluck party one to remember by first setting a fun theme!

Picture your guests arriving in outfits that match your chosen vibe, which makes for a good icebreaker. Whether you go for a classic “White Christmas,” a quirky “Ugly Sweater Party,” a “Grinchmas” (all-green everything), your favorite romcom, or something uniquely Pinoy like an “Internet/Meme Party,” a fun theme sets the tone and makes for memorable, Instagram-worthy group pics.

Create a guest list

While they say “the more, the merrier,” your guest list should feel right for you. Think about how many people your space can comfortably accommodate and whether everyone gets along (because nobody wants holiday drama)!

Keep it simple: invite family, close friends, and anyone special you want to celebrate with. And don’t forget to ask if they’ll be bringing a plus-one — it’s better to know in advance than be caught off guard.

To keep things organized, create a group chat for easy communication.

Coordinate dishes, drinks, and roles

You don’t want a party with five versions of the same dish, but no drinks or desserts, right?

For a well-oiled potluck feast, coordinate with your guests right away on what items to bring. Use a Google Doc or a Messenger poll, just like planning a group project in school. Guide your guests with suggestions, so there’s variety and balance.

You can also assign roles for tasks, like setting up, serving, cleaning up, or even organizing a surprise talent show for the party. This is so everyone pitches in and you’re not left doing everything yourself.

As the host, provide the essentials

It might be difficult for your guests to bring large items like ovens, rice cookers, or glass plates, especially if they’re coming from out of town. As the host, it’s your job to make sure everyone has what they need for a smooth potluck. Set up the basics, like enough chairs, tables, plates, utensils, napkins, trays, ice, and whatever else you think the party needs.

Don’t forget to set the vibe too, whether it be through the music, lighting, decorations, and the overall atmosphere.

Plan the set-up

Keep things organized by setting up food stations. Designate areas for main dishes, sides, desserts, and drinks to make it easy for guests to find what they need.

Arrange the tables to avoid overcrowding and create space for everyone to serve themselves comfortably.

Ask about dietary preferences

Make sure the party is inclusive of those with food allergies, dietary needs, or restrictions. Ask your guests in advance if they have any, and don’t forget your friends with vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free needs.

Since it’s a potluck, you can also encourage your guests to bring dishes that cater to their dietary preferences.

Plan fun activities

Christmas potluck parties shouldn’t just be “eat-and-run” — they should be fun, too!

Consider hosting a friends’ awards night with funny categories like Best Dressed, Early Bird, Most Tipsy, or Best Smile of the Night. These playful touches will keep everyone engaged until the end of the night.

You can also spice things up with viral Filipino party games like Pinoy Henyo, charades, calamansi relay, or the telepathy challenge a.k.a. “Tumpakners.” And no Christmas party is complete without a “Monito-Monita” exchange gift portion to spread extra holiday cheer!

Set a time for eating

It wouldn’t hurt to plan a specific time for eating, especially since we all know about “Filipino time!”

Let your guests know when the food will be served, but encourage them to arrive a little earlier to mingle and enjoy drinks or appetizers.

Setting a clear time helps keep the party schedule on track. It also makes sure no one stays too late.

Bring the ‘baunan’!

“Balutin mo ako sa hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahal” — get ready for the annual Hunger Games, or should we say, the ultimate “Sharon” session!

As Filipinos, we really can’t resist bringing home some food. It’s not only practical but also a way to extend love and hospitality. At Filipino gatherings, it’s an unspoken rule to bring your to-go containers or baunan so you can take home leftovers, which are perfect for reheating or recooking the next day. At least nothing goes to waste!

Follow up after the party

If there were no photos, Instagram stories, or Tiktok videos, did it even happen? 

Following up after the party not only gives you a chance to relive the fun moments but also shows appreciation to your guests! Creating a shared album or Google Drive of photos and videos helps everyone reminisce together. Sharing these on social media or in a group chat keeps the connection alive, especially when you’re all too busy to meet up again soon.

Don’t forget to capture some cute group photos or recreate trendy TikTok videos! These moments will not only make everyone laugh but also build excitement for the next gathering. – Steph Arnaldo, Zach Fajardo/Rappler.com

Zach Dayrit is a Rappler intern studying BS Psychology at Ateneo De Manila University.