“While there’s a lot that goes into hosting loved ones, it is possible to host an easy holiday party—one that doesn’t make you feel overwhelmed and out of 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, says Mindy Weiss, a celebrity event planner based in Los Angeles and New York City.

While there’s a lot that goes into hosting loved ones, it is possible to host an easy holiday party—one that doesn’t make you feel overwhelmed and out of 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, says Mindy Weiss.

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.

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).

Be mindful of where you place your food setup itself, notes Katie Benson, owner of #TableSettingIsMyLife. “Just as wild animals gather at the watering hole, your guests will always gather around food,” she says.

Put your food stations where you want your guests to socialize. “If you put the food in the kitchen, people will stay in the kitchen,” says Benson. “For the best flow, place appetizers in different locations, forcing people to move around and mingle.

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 Stewart  (https://www.marthastewart.com/856462/how-host-easy-holiday-party)