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Happy Holiday Home Entertaining

The holiday season is a special time to spend with family and friends. If you are planning on hosting a holiday party in your home, maybe you are feeling overwhelmed with all the details. There is no need to stress though – just follow these tips, and your party is sure to be a success!

Planning

• People’s holiday calendars fill up quickly, so send invitations out as early as possible. Remember to include the date, time, location, whether the party is formal or casual, and an RSVP phone number.
• To better accommodate people’s busy evenings, why not host a holiday brunch or luncheon?
• If you have a smaller home or apartment, but want to invite a lot of people, plan a floating party to stagger the guests. Set the hours, and ask guests to drop in at their leisure.
  

Decorating

• Soft lighting with a roaring fireplace and flickering candles creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for holiday cheer.
  
• Fill the air with the sweet aroma of spices. Simply sprinkle your favorite spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, in a pot of simmering water on the stove.
• Dress up tables with holiday tablecloths and festive centerpieces.
• Decorate doors, mantles, and stair banisters with wreaths, greenery, and colors of the season.
• Remember to decorate outside. Colorful bows and lights provide a warm greeting for guests.
  

Food

• Lighten your load by asking guests to bring a favorite dish or finger food. Everyone can enjoy trying each other’s specialties, and you won’t be totally exhausted before the party even begins.
• Serving food buffet style will simplify hosting duties and allow guests easy access to the eats.
• A holiday party wouldn’t be complete without eggnog, hot chocolate, or mulled cider.
  

Entertainment

• Get guests in the holiday spirit with ambient music.
• Have everyone gather around the piano and sing favorite songs.
• Bundle up and go Christmas caroling in the neighborhood.
• Pull out a board game or deck of cards.
• Keep kids entertained with Christmas holiday classic movies.