Although throwing a holiday party will probably never be stress-free, the host should have as good of a time as the guests

• Host an Open House - This is a casual gathering where your guests' arrival time is staggered so that you're never overwhelmed by having too many people in the house at one time.
• Serve Room Temp Foods - Prepare food that can sit on your table for the duration of the party. This way your friends eat when they want, rather than at a specific time when the food is still hot. Also, select items that are easily consumed with a single utensil.
• Server a mixture of beverages - Give your guests lots of choices from wine to beer and even a few holiday drink recipes that will be sure to spice up any part.
• Set up Seating Areas - Organize your furniture so that your guests have ample space to walk around and meet each other as well as areas where they can sit down in small groups.
• Fanning the Festivity - There's no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than singing. Organize neighborhood caroling, gather around the piano or plan out holiday karaoke.

• Pick up roast for French dip and gather all recipe ingredients.
• Add mini sandwich rolls to the shopping list to replace full size French rolls.
• Round up supplies for ornaments and garland: popcorn, cranberries, construction paper, glitter, and tape.
• Cook date appetizers and green beans. Place in serving dishes; cover and refrigerate.
• Let kids roll mini cheese balls in nuts, chopped parsley, or poppy seeds; refrigerate.

• The best rule of thumb for a perfect tree: lights, lights, and more lights. So put up the tree and string it with plenty of lights.
• Add roast to slow cooker around noon; put your feet up and relax.
• Mid afternoon: turn on holiday music and start making ornaments and garland.
• Just before party starts, fix Candy Cane Cocoa and coffee. Keep warm in thermal carafes, in a slow cooker, or on the stove.
• Place drink toppers, and mix-ins (whipped cream, chocolate syrup, liqueurs) near beverages and let everyone add their own finishing touches.
• Sip beverages, nibble on appetizers, and start decorating.
• As decorators finish, set fondue on a coffee table. Let everyone plop on the floor or couch and admire their handiwork as they indulge in a chocolate reward.

1. Decorate iced cupcake tops with patterns of tiny bright colored candies: mini red and green jelly beans, red hots, or gummy candy circles.
2. Flip a miniature ReeseŐs peanut cup upside down and nestle it in the icing onto top of cake.
3. Break a miniature pretzel (your ornament hook) into a jagged piece with a rounded edge and insert into peanut butter cup. Eat and enjoy!