Here are a few tips for hosting a wonderful Christmas gathering without breaking a sweat
What Party?
First, determine whether you want a sit-down dinner or something more casual, like a stress-free cocktail party. Buffets make dinner parties easy – you can get dishes out quickly and keep them warm while guests can help themselves.
Invites
Put Together a Guest List and Invitations about 3 weeks prior. A digital invite is fine – I like evite and punchbowl…
Easy Menu Ideas
If you’ve decided to host a cocktail party, put together a list of the appetizers you’d like to serve. I suggest using recipes that can be made in advance, which will save you time and energy on the day of the party. Even for a sit down dinner, most everything can be made ahead and re-heated.
The Bar
The last thing you want is to spend your own party fixing drinks. Set up an easy-to-make cocktail bar with appropriate garnishes, infused vodkas, and cocktail recipes so your guests can help themselves.
I always like to have a signature cocktail on hand in a pretty glass pitcher and keep it relevant to the theme…Gingerbread Martinis anyone? 
Always have some bins or coolers stocked with ice and ready for wine and other beverages.
Want another time saving secret? Rent glasses – you may or may not have enough matching wine glasses, but do you really want to face 60 dirty wine glasses at the end of the night? It’s so easy:- contact your local party rental company and order the glasses you like and pick them up in large racks all clean and ready to go. Once the party is over, simply stack dirty glasses back in racks and bring back to the rental place (usually next business day) and you are done! No clean-up required….brilliant, I know. I do this for all my larger parties now.
The Master List 
At least a day before, make a list and schedule of what needs to be made and when. Make sure to leave at least an hour before the party starts for any last minute emergencies, and, of course, to get ready and relax before your guests arrive. And, don’t forget the ice!
I am guilty of running out of time here and have been blow drying my hair as the first guests arrive (cue husband). Which reminds me, always show up 10 min late…do you really want to be the first ones to arrive?
Deck the Halls
When it comes to decorations, think small. Save space for food by displaying low arrangements of blooms in lieu o f a large centerpiece. Use small accents and candles to fill any empty spots on the dining or buffet.
I like natural decor the best – green garland, winter berry, boxwood, pine cones, a large glass bowl of cranberries and oranges, etc. And of course lots of little white lights!
It’s all in the Preparation
Ma
ke as much of the food and drinks ahead of time as you can. Of course, some things cannot be made beforehand, but try to get all of your prep work done as early as possible. And keep it all on your list. If you’re organized and have everything ready when the party starts, you’ll be better able to attend to your guests.
Set up a separate station (in another room or area) for drinks so not everyone is in the kitchen. Stock it with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage choices, ice, cocktail napkins, and appropriate glassware. Label things – like a sign attached to a cooler marked water or soda or beer…
For a pretty (and easy) presentation, use oven-to-table servingware to help keep food warm – will also save on dishes. If you don’t have these serving dishes on hand, label what you are using ahead of time so you know exactly where everything goes when it comes out of the oven.
Last but not least, enjoy yourself! If you are having a good time, your guests will have a great time as well.
