Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Holiday Planning & Ideas
  3. How to Host an Easy Holiday Party

How to Host an Easy Holiday Party

Jenn Sinrich, Freelance Writer
By Jenn Sinrich Updated November 12, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Group of people in a toast
Credit: Pura Soul Photography

Consider this your stress-free guide to entertaining family and friends this holiday season.

Start Slideshow

1 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
Group of people in a toast
Credit: Pura Soul Photography

One of the things people look forward to most as the holiday season approaches? The set of holiday parties that come along with it: It's a wonderful time to celebrate with friends and family. However, there's no denying that hosting a holiday party, should that responsibility land on your shoulders, is generally associated with some level of stress. As the host, you may feel all sorts of pressure—financial, social, and beyond. Before you know it, the well-meant invitation you extended to those you love becomes one you come to regret.

While there's a lot that goes into hosting loved ones during this festive season, it is possible to host an easy holiday party—one that doesn't make you feel overwhelmed and out of the control (two details that aren't compatible with the spirit of the season). To do so, it's important to give yourself enough time in advance of the celebration to plan out as many details as you can, so you don't feel overworked on the day of, notes Mindy Weiss, a celebrity event planner based in Los Angeles and New York City. She suggests prepping little by little each day so you're not making last-minute décor adjustments or just-in-case side dishes with just minutes to spare before your guests arrive. "You want to enjoy it just as much as they will!" she adds.

Of course, there's more to executing a seamless holiday celebration than simply preparing the food or your home's decorations ahead of schedule. Ahead, experts share even more of their best-kept secrets for pulling off an easy and enjoyable fête.

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Send Invites Early

woman writing in blue holiday card
Credit: Getty / JGI / Jamie Grill

You might not start thinking about the holidays until Halloween has come and gone, but your friends and family's seasonal calendars will fill up fast, especially on the precious few Saturday nights in December. "Inviting them with advance notice ensures the guests you really want there are available," says Allison Pieter, a Los Angeles-based event producer. She recommends sending invites via an online invitation service, which is faster, easier, and cheaper than sending invitations by mail.

2 of 11

3 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Choose a Theme—and Stick with It

Place setting with candles and flowers
Credit: Pura Soul Photography

Whether it's a color scheme, a seasonal fruit, or even a holiday song, choosing one design element to lead the rest will create cohesion throughout your event, explains Kristine Cooke, owner, event planner, and designer at Simply Charming Socials. "For example, if cranberry is your common thread, choose floating cranberries and candles on your tablescape, a cranberry spritzer cocktail upon guest arrival, and a goat cheese and cranberry tartlet for dessert," she says. "Nothing has to be too matchy-matchy, but if you have two or three nods to your theme, it will look so thoughtful to your guests."

  • Discover Some of Our Favorite Christmas Decorating Ideas

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Utilize What You Already Have in Your House

christmas entertaining wreath decor
Credit: Pura Soul Photography

Before you spend hundreds on groceries and party supplies, take a look at what you might already have in your pantry, cabinets, and storage spaces. "Whether it's the fancy plates you received from your wedding or the stack of holiday cards on the table, make it easier on yourself and use what you have on hand for décor," says Weiss. If you do have to purchase new décor, don't go overboard. Weiss recommends taking advantage of empty wall space and displaying garlands on the wall using removable clips.

  • Our Best Holiday Wreaths

4 of 11

5 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Always Overestimate When Buying Food and Beverages

<p>The last thing you need to worry about in the midst of entertaining is running out of food or drinks, leaving your guests hungry and thirsty. Sure, you may wind up with a heaping pile of leftovers, but Weiss suggests sending your guests home with them in take-out boxes or donating remaining meals to the nearest shelter (that's certainly one way to give back this season).</p>

The last thing you need to worry about in the midst of entertaining is running out of food or drinks, leaving your guests hungry and thirsty. Sure, you may wind up with a heaping pile of leftovers, but Weiss suggests sending your guests home with them in take-out boxes or donating remaining meals to the nearest shelter (that's certainly one way to give back this season).

  • The Easiest Holiday Menus

5 of 11

6 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Don't Stretch Yourself Too Thin in the Kitchen

woman cooking on gas stove
Credit: Getty / Neustockimages

Even if you love to cook, attempting to make everything for your party from scratch is a recipe for disaster. Whip up a couple of signature dishes, but make your life easier and buy the rest. The same goes for cocktails. "You can prepare a wonderful holiday punch in advance, which also makes for a great visual, but all your other bar elements can be placed on a table for guests to help themselves or make their own cocktails," says Joe Moller, owner of Joe Moller Events. "This should free up some time that can be reinvested in decorating your holiday table and bar."

  • Essential Entertaining Tips Every Host Should Know

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Arrange the Party Wisely

Woman standing in front of food table with cup in hand
Credit: Pura Soul Photography

"Just as wild animals gather at the watering hole, your guests will always gather around food," says Katie Benson, owner of #TableSettingIsMyLife. She suggests putting your food stations where you want your guests to socialize. "If you put the food in the kitchen, people will stay in the kitchen," she says. "For the best flow, place appetizers in different locations, forcing people to move around and mingle."

7 of 11

8 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ask for Help

family placing food table with holiday decor
Credit: M_a_y_a / Getty Images

Once friends and family hear that you're hosting a holiday party, chances are they'll shortly begin asking how they can help. Accept your aunt's gracious offer to bring her best cookies and your best friend's suggestion that she arrive early to help you set up. You could also consider hiring outside help, such as a cleaning crew. Being open to an extra pair of hands will help you relax and enjoy the party (and its aftermath) much more, explains Cooke.

8 of 11

9 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stick to a Timeline

christmas entertaining gathering
Credit: Pura Soul Photography

Even if you're not the type to follow a schedule, it's smart to incorporate some kind of plan for the day (or night) of the event. This will help make the party feel seamless, notes Weiss. "From the time that guests arrive to when dessert will be served, you'll feel calmer if you plan ahead and stick to your schedule," she says. "While we can't always plan for the unexpected, you can tack on a few minutes for any interruptions that might occur."

  • Signs You're Being a Thoughtful Hostess

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Don't Forget the Music

Person looking through records next to Christmas tree
Credit: Getty / Stanton j Stephens

There's no reason to hire a DJ for your holiday party, but you also don't want to forget about music completely. If you're looking for holiday-themed songs, you can use an app like Spotify or Pandora to play a fitting playlist. That way, you don't have to think about what to play—and you'll always have melodies in the background to enhance the festive mood.

10 of 11

11 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Provide Plenty of Trash Cans

Person taking plate at a party
Credit: Getty / hobo_018

Make cleaning up that much easier by strategically placing small waste cans throughout the party area—one by the buffet, one by the bar, and one in the restroom, suggests Moller. "Place extra liners in the bottom of the waste cans before you secure the liner to be used over them so you can easily remove the top bag, take one of the extras from the bottom, put it in place, and move on," he says. "A clean party space is important and easy to manage with this system."

  • Martha's Best Quotes on Entertaining

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Jenn Sinrich

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 11
    2 of 11 Send Invites Early
    3 of 11 Choose a Theme—and Stick with It
    4 of 11 Utilize What You Already Have in Your House
    5 of 11 Always Overestimate When Buying Food and Beverages
    6 of 11 Don't Stretch Yourself Too Thin in the Kitchen
    7 of 11 Arrange the Party Wisely
    8 of 11 Ask for Help
    9 of 11 Stick to a Timeline
    10 of 11 Don't Forget the Music
    11 of 11 Provide Plenty of Trash Cans

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    How to Host an Easy Holiday Party
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.