Want an easy table runner? Roll wrapping paper down your buffet table for a festive touch that you can just toss post-party.
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If you’re hosting a sit down dinner, keep centerpieces low. You don’t want guests straining to see each other over too tall branches and flickering candles.
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Want to cut a step out of your prep? Choose cookware that can travel to the table. Baking dishes or attractive pots save you from transferring foods into servingware, and save you from washing another dish.
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Skip fussy flowers and use seasonal branches or evergreens, which can last through a few shindigs.
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Absolutely no one can balance a plate of food on a cocktail, so plan your party foods accordingly. If your guests can eat it one-handed while drinking, they’ll thank you.
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Is there anything worse than realizing someone got you a present and you didn’t get them anything? Or figuring out you forgot to pick something up on your way out the door? Stock up on a few gifts that would be good for anyone (wine, gift certificates) so you’re always prepared.
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Keep your ice bucket from turning into a soggy mess. Place a colander on top of your ice bucket so melted water drains away from cocktail-ready cubes.
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Instead of throwing the traditional New Year’s Eve rager, switch it up. A morning after feast with all of the traditional good luck foods (black eyed peas, collard greens, etc.) and plenty of hair of the dog, gives you and your friends a place to recount the prior evenings events and start the year off on the right foot.
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Don’t let the music drop mid-party. Create a festive playlist of holiday favorites and current tunes, or turn on an online-radio station so the tunes keep on flowing.
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Prepare for the worst. Put wine-away, stain fighters, etc., in an easy to reach place so when someone inevitably spills wine you don’t have to waste time hunting for the fix.
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Can’t remember whose drink is whose? Miniature ornaments make excellent wine tags. String combos of ornaments and bells on ribbon and tie around glass stems so people never doubt which beverage belongs to them.
