Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining: 8 Tips

Holiday entertaining can be the most stressful.  So much meaning is placed upon the perfect Christmas party or New Year's Eve bash.  So, how can you plan a stress-free holiday?  Here are 8 tips to make your entertaining easy.

1. Enlist the kids:  Have your children clean while you cook, decorate while you dust, and collect coats while you schmooze.  After all, the holidays are a family affair; relinquish some control!

2, Don't cook everything:  Shops like Whole Foods, Target, and Trader Joe's now stock some tasty appetizers.  Sample a few before you lay them out for guests, and then use the convenient snacks for your party.  No one will turn up their nose at delicious treats just because they aren't homemade (no one will even notice!).

3. Go grocery shopping when the stores are quiet:  Grab a babysitter, and go when the crowds are thin (say, 10 p.m.).  Paying for an hour of the sitter's time is well worth not having to wade through the hoards of holiday shoppers.

4. Don't experiment:  New hair styles, recipes, and decor are great... but not when you are hours away from throwing a party.  New = Stressful, so go with the tried and true for your holiday festivities.

5. Take advantage of discount stores:  Holiday decorations can be pretty kitschy.  Why not go all the way and purchase some of the wacky holiday items you can find at your local 99 cent store?  No one will expect an immaculately decorated home when they're greeted with a singing Grinch, and you won't have to stress about which shade of red looks best with your antique golden ornaments (crimson or scarlet?).  Plus, it's cheaper! 

6. Stock up on holiday-themed merchandise: This tip might not help you this year, but it's sure to help you in the next.  Buy discounted holiday decorations and save them for the following holiday season.  But only if you actually have space to store them!

7. Don't sweat the small stuff:  Sure, it's a cliche, but it's a cliche because it's true: what can go wrong, will.  Spills and extra guests are just two of the many unexpected surprises that occur during the party season.  So, have enough coffee, wine, and cheese for the uninvited, and have a good carpet cleaner's number on hand.  Other than that, chill out!  Stressing about the situation will only make it worse; try to be prepared, and breathe!

8. Have fun:  Cook before the party, and save the cleaning until after you close up shop.  Your guests are there to spend time with you.  Remember to have fun and enjoy the season!