How to Host a Stress-free Holiday • Craving Some Creativity

Tips on hosting holiday soirees minus the stress. From menu shortcuts to setting a mood, these hosting secrets ensure a jolly good time with your guests.

Best Tips for Stress Free Holiday Hosting. Christmas tree in background, platter of coffee cups on saucers with Christmas shaped cookies on gold mirrored tray.

The holiday season is here! In the midst of decorating, hunting down the perfect gifts, and making memories with family and friends, those to-do lists can get overwhelming. Am I right?

Cut yourself a break! It is possible to eat, drink and be merry while playing host.

We host at least two or three holiday parties at our home each year. It takes serious effort, planning, and strategy to run everything efficiently. I’m sharing my go-to strategies for hosting during the holidays. The goal is to keep the mayhem to a minimum, while celebrating the magic of the season.

Coffee cart complete with coffee maker, cups, single pod coffees and all the fixings. Dessert cases and dessert plates line the bottom shelf of cart. Christmas tree with toy antique train in background.

Easy Holiday Hosting Tips

Tip #1: Make a List

The best way to a stress-free holiday is proper planning. In fact, a new planner tops my Christmas wish list every year. What can I say, I’m a creature of habit?

Write/type out concise tasks. Check them off as completed (so satisfying).
Include a shopping list. Wasting time wandering crowded aisles is a big energy drain.
Don’t be afraid to delegate. Create a to-list for your house mates and allow guests to pitch in if they ask.
Make a realistic time line for goals. Party planning is not an ideal situation to be “time optimistic.”

Tip #2: Plan your Menu

Let me start by saying this: You do not need to make everyone’s absolute favorite dish. While everyone may love Grandma’s sweet potato casserole, this is a special time to create new traditions. Highlight one or two classics and take the pressure off!

Decide what to buy and what to DIY. There’s no rule saying everything has to be homemade. A pre-made pie crust or rotisserie chicken are great time savers.
Keep a few recipes in rotation as reliable favorites for party hosting.
Prep ahead of time. Spare yourself from the stress of slaving in the kitchen while playing host. Soups, stews & quiche are easy items to prepare in advance.
Don’t try more than one new recipe. Attempting multiple dishes that you’ve never cooked before is a recipe for disaster.
Ask guests to bring a dish. Assign an appetizer or dessert to clear that from your to-do list.

Pro Tip: Buy items like crackers, dried fruit and nuts in bulk this time of year. Keep on hand for impromptu gatherings.

Mantle decorations and dessert bar for a holiday party. Red pom poms, snowy garland, Christmas tree shapes, Merry & Bright sign and candlesticks compliment colors on the makeshift buffet.

Tip #3: Holiday Decorations that do Double Duty

I love that holiday decorations pull double-duty during holiday parties. No need to shop for party decor- I already have them!

If you haven’t fully decked the halls just yet, don’t despair! Keep it simple by highlighting a few areas where guests will congregate. For example, a merry wreath or large bow to greet visitors at the front door sets the tone for festivities.
A mantle can provide an excellent backdrop for a buffet, or drink station. Gather some holly sprigs, pine branches or sparkly ornaments and you’ve created a holiday centerpiece on the fly.
Festive food is beautiful! A gingerbread house or dessert display is practical and pretty.
Outdoor luminaries are a lovely way to light the path in & out of your home.

Tip #4: Set the Mood

It’s nearly impossible to feel stressed out while singing along to Christmas carols. Treat guests to a full sensory experience by creating a warm ambiance they’ll remember long after you say goodnight.

Don’t tackle deep cleaning tasks on the day of your gathering! A light tidying and surface clean of guest trafficked areas will suffice.
This natural cinnamon & orange-peel potpourri simmering on the stove invokes cozy memories of holidays past.
Light some candles for an instant mood boost.
Choose a holiday soundtrack that fits your party theme. For larger parties, try music without lyrics so guests won’t have to strain to hear dinner conversation.

Pro Tip: Impress guests with powder room pampering. Holiday scented soap or hand cream, and decorative disposable hand towels are easy little luxuries.

DIY bar cart styling for red Kuerig coffee bar. Small Christmas accents on cart and in background.

Tip #5: Self Serve Guest Stations

Although the kitchen is the heart of the home, a busy kitchen can feel crowded quickly. You don’t want to be climbing over people to get things done. Talk about stressful!

A coffee bar is a creative way for guests to access refreshments without being underfoot. We kicked off our holiday season with a dinner party featuring a fun coffee and dessert bar. It was a big hit.
I have a rolling bar cart that I keep stocked year round. The versatility can’t be beat!
Dazzle guests with a signature big batch cocktail. Select a recipe that serves well in a punch bowl or pitcher and suits your holiday theme. Try our Crown Apple Cocktail.
A well-appointed charcuterie board strategically placed in a central gathering space is a great way to manage guest flow and a built-in ice breaker.

Pro Tip: Keep extra soda, mixers, teas and coffee supplies on hand for easy restocking.

Tip #5: Set Up Tables a Few Days Ahead

Let me speak from experience, lay out any and all serverware and dishes you may need. You do not want to realize the day of the party that you are short on forks.

Leftover ornament balls can double as name tags adding color and instant holiday twinkle.
Mini chalkboards are an inexpensive way to label dishes for guests who have food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ditch the fancy tablecloth. No fuss, no muss. Try a centerpiece made from natural elements; cover your table in butcher’s paper and provide crayons for guests. Scarves, wrapping paper and even rugs can become table coverings with a bit of inspiration.
Plain white dishes are the new fancy china. Have an extra large crowd? There’s no shame in the disposable game.

Dining table placecards for a christmas party made out of ornament balls and name tags.

Tip #6: Guest Ice Breakers

Guests genuinely like to feel important and engaged during gatherings. That can be difficult to navigate while carving up the main entree, or putting final touches on dinner. My go-to move is to assign small tasks, like filling dinner glasses or replenishing appetizers, to guests who may not know each other as well. Ice breakers are key to a fun evening.

Breaking bread together is the ultimate ice breaker, so DIY appetizers make sense. Charcuterie boards, fondue or an assemble-your-own crostini station- encourage guests to gather around central ingredients.
Guest refreshment stations are perfect for congregating. Implement a signature DIY cocktail such as a martini or mimosa bar.
Plan a seating chart that mixes up the dynamic. Invite someone outside the normal “group” to refresh talking points. Separate married couples and seat a shy guest next to a charming one.
Keep conversation light. No need for stressful or provocative subjects during the soiree.
Select an after dinner activity to occupy party-goers during meal clean up.

Coffee in mugs with a signature coffee drink and served with small cookies on the side. White and gold accented tree in background.

Tip #6: Graceful Goodbyes

Now that you’ve successfully mastered hosting duties, and it’s time to call it a night- how do you gracefully cue lingering guests to the exit sign? (A well-placed yawn doesn’t hurt).