Essential Thanksgiving Preparation & Entertaining Tips

It's that time of year, the leaves are falling and there's a little chill in the air as summer takes its last breath. Just around the corner, we'll gain an hour of sleep. Good thing too, we'll need that sleep to prepare for the onslaught of holiday guests we have coming over for Thanksgiving this year! To help you get through this Thanksgiving holiday, here are some essential tips for making sure things go smoothly and to make your holiday just a little less frantic.

The Setting

It's so easy to decorate for Thanksgiving. You can make a gorgeous centerpiece using items from around your house. Use a basket filled with gourds, fallen leaves, Indian corn, pinecones, corn husks, squash and mini pumpkins. You can also use these things to decorate your home. A few well placed mini pumpkins do wonders to set the mood for Thanksgiving.

The Table

Make sure you have clearly marked placecards for each person, so they know where to sit. Also, be sure to leave enough room on the table for all your serving dishes. It's a good idea to have extra chairs handy for any surprise guests who show up.

Meal Preparation Tips

Preparing a complete Thanksgiving meal can be quite a task, but with proper preparation ahead of time, you should be able to pull it off without a hitch. First, write down your menu and make a shopping list. Just in case, buy a little more of each item, so you won't be stuck with having too little of something on Thanksgiving day and all the stores are closed. Do your shopping a couple days ahead of time to beat the inevitable last minute rush of Thanksgiving Eve. Make sure you have plenty of room in your kitchen and refrigerator and freezer to hold all the food you'll buy. You'll want to begin preparation of your dishes on Thanksgiving Eve unless you want to get up very early. Make sure you pay special attention to what needs to be done to the turkey. Hopefully, it's not frozen, but if it is, you can put it in the kitchen sink with lukewarm water and just keep changing the water every hour or so to hasten the thawing. For other dishes, prepare as much as you can ahead of time. You can usually make many side dishes and desserts completely ahead of time.

Backup Meal Plans

Your turkey will probably turn out ok, or at least edible, but if it doesn't, make sure to have an alternate available. Some good choices would be a ham, pot roast, a salmon or other fish.

Choices

It's a good idea to call each of your guests well ahead of time to make sure you won't be getting any surprises, like your brother's 15 year old has just turned vegetarian and won't be able to eat the turkey. Make sure to have plenty of something that a vegetarian would not have a problem with. I've found vegetarians are often happy with some really tasty side dishes like mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and a salad. Though, a Tofurky would be a good choice to have if there are multiple vegetarians coming over. Don't forget others with special food requirements, such as allergies, diabetics, low sodium diets etc.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing isn't just for tech companies! To make your day easier, consider outsourcing a portion of the meal. Have a guest or two bring over a side dish or appetizer. Or consider buying the dessert. A few pumpkin pies from your local bakery topped with whipped cream would work just fine and I bet no one would know the difference!

Entertainment

After the meal, some guests may go home, while most others will opt to stay for a while. Football and basketball games will be plentiful on TV, but what about those not into watching sports? Have some board games on hand as well as party games that involve many players.

Conversation

One of the main points of the holiday season is to bring family and friends together to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Make it easy to have conversations in your home. Make sure you have some quiet areas and plenty of seating to make conversation easy.

The Kids

If you're going to be having multiple kids at your gathering, you need to be prepared for their needs. Make sure the kids have a separate table or are seated next to adults that will supervise them. After the meal, have games and activities especially for them, or have family games that can involve children.

Prepare For Emergencies

No, not a natural disaster or even a medical emergency, it's not nearly as bad as those but it certainly has the potential to ruin your holiday. I'm talking about the dreaded toilet back up. The last thing you want is to be stuck cleaning up that kind of mess when you're supposed to be preparing food. Make sure you have a plunger and some Drano or Liquid Plumber on hand in the bathroom that the guests will use. When and if it happens, you'll be very glad you prepared for it. Trust me! Follow these tips and you should be one step closer to a safer, happier Thanksgiving holiday.

Entertaining Outdoors At Your Lake Home

If you own a lake home, entertaining outdoors is a must! Here are our suggestions of things you can do to make entertaining outdoors at your lake home much more enjoyable for you as well as your guests.

Probably the most popular feature that many lake homes now have is an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor dining is also much more trendy as a result. Manufacturers have responded by making outdoor appliances that answer the call for outdoor kitchen set ups. Many lake homes now feature completely furnished outdoor eating areas fully equipped with kitchens, creating an outdoor/indoor effect.

Another new and trendy feature is outdoor lighting. If you plan to do a lot of entertaining in the evening, you will need to place lighting outside for your guests. Whether or not it is candlelight, christmas lighting, landscape lighting or electrical lighting, it will make entertaining outdoors much more enjoyable for everyone.

You can increase your guests enjoyment by purchasing a portable heating device, especially if it gets a bit chilly in your neck of the woods. They are relatively inexpensive, but they can literally save your outdoor party.

If you live in Minnesota, as I do, you might also consider one of the newer a mosquito protection systems, such as the Mosquito Magnet. It actually works. Bugs can literally ruin an outdoor event, but if you have mosquito protection, you and your guests will be considerably more comfortable.

Another important factor to consider when you live on a lake, is the type of boat you will be entertaining in. If you have not yet purchased a boat, consider that the type of boat you buy will dictate how many people you can entertain at one time boating. Generally, if you plan to entertain on a boat, a pontoon boat is really the way to go. Speed boats and fishing boats severely limit the amount of people you can entertain at one time. Those types of boats are also not set up for entertaining, unless you plan on throwing small parties for tubing or waterskiing.

Hot tubs are also a great way to make an outdoor party fabulous. If the hot tub is contained inside a gazebo that can really add to the ambiance of your party as well as the ambiance on your lakeside as well. Whether it is for two or eight, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a hot tub at your lake home.

Entertaining on the lake, especially during the summer, will cause a lakefront owner to accumulate toys. Toys like floating devices, waterskis, tubes, jet skis, rafts, canoes, water volleyball, you name it. Your guests will be entertained for hours if you have these types of things, so you will want to make sure you have those types of items.

Outside fires are beautiful, especially on the lake. Remember to check your local municipality to make sure an outdoor fire does not require a permit. Marshmallow roasting sticks are sold nearly everywhere and are great for smores.

Holiday entertaining at a lake home cannot be matched. Everyone enjoys coming to the lake for a holiday party. Having a large serving area outdoors will help to accommodate for a buffet, which can really simplify your entertaining efforts.

Entertaining For Halloween - How To Make Your Party Memorable

Entertaining for Halloween can be very exciting and loads of fun. It is the perfect opportunity for you to show off your talents in many different areas. To help keep your guests happy and entertained you will want to have a wide variety of things to keep them occupied. One of the first things you will need to make sure of is that you have enough refreshments and food to keep the entire guest list satisfied for the night. This is one of the most important parts of entertaining for Halloween.

Having the surroundings decorated for Halloween both inside and outside is the best way to keep the guest in the haunting sprit throughout Halloween night. Decorating for Halloween is exciting and so much fun. You can let you imagination go wild and try things you would never dare to try at any other time of the year. It is the time to let your creativity take control. If you have the space then putting together a haunted house is also great entertainment for Halloween.

Fun Halloween games are very important and are a must at any Halloween party. They help to keep the guest amused and give them something to do besides walk around. If it is a party that includes children you can set up simple games for them where they can win small prizes and candy. This helps to keep them happy and satisfied throughout the night. Although adults have a great time watching their children having a safe happy Halloween, there are many games that can be set up for them also. Games that allow adults to enjoy a little competition will keep them entertained.

Halloween music helps everyone to keep the sprit of this haunted holiday alive throughout the whole evening. Make sure you have a wide variety of music so there will be a little something for everyone. Be sure and include music that is scary and some that is funny to add humor to your party. By keeping your guest entertained they will not have time to get bored and you will have presented the best Halloween party ever.

Themes Can Add Zip to your Entertaining

After entertaining at home for over thirty years, you get a little jaded by hosting and attending the standard dinner party. Oh course, if it's the right mix of people, you have nothing to worry about. But sometimes if you're mixing a group that you have never brought together before, a theme can set a tone, that takes the pressure off the guests and rests it on the shoulders of the Arabians, the French Masquerade, or the Toga clad. And who doesn't like to get dressed up and act out a bit? here are some ideas to get your creative juices moving.

-A white party. A great summer theme, everyone has to come in white clothing, ala the original by Truman Capote.

-Celebrities. This is a home run whatever the season, everyone always has a favorite they want to be, for at least a night!

Arabian Nights. Fun and sexy, people love the fez's, belly dancers, and colorful brocade vests and turbans.

-Masquerade Ball. Dressed to the nines and face masks on top, a perfect blend of who is that woman in the stunning dress?

-Gender-bender. Invite everyone to come as the opposite sex. Great in the fall or anytime you want all your guests to laugh with delight.

Tahiti Night. A perfect way to perk up a dreary winter, think sun. Break out those tropical shirts and dresses, top with leis. Serve drinks with paper umbrellas.

Safari. Add some zest to an early spring get together with a jungle theme. Woman can dig for there animal prints and men can come as proper British hunters or Tarzan!

-Cherry Blossom. Celebrate the Orient. Invite guests to wear kimonos, chopsticks in their hair, sumi wrestlers, Kung Fu, anything Asian. Serve dinner on grass mats instead of the dining table.

-Toga. Excess is the key here. Opulent bowls of fruit, flowing beverages and plenty of skin make it an old stand-by.

Entertaining The Elderly On Grandparents Day

Not all elderly people have family to celebrate Grandparents Day with them. In fact, many of our most celebrated older citizens live lonely lives in retirement or nursing homes. While we are always concerned with our own family members, the first Sunday after Labor Day that is designated as Grandparents Day is about more than celebrating our own relatives. It was set forth to honor all the elderly who have done so much to shape our universe.

For this reason, one way to spend the holiday, especially if your own grandparents are no longer around, is to visit a nursing home and provide some companionship and entertainment for other elderly members of our society. And in case you are putting off this visit because you aren’t sure what to do, here are a few tips for entertaining the elderly.

While recognizing that it is a holiday and wishing the residents a happy Grandparents Day, the important thing is to treat them as the respected citizens they are and provide some form of entertainment that they typically would not get. Many older people enjoy playing cards or board games, such as checkers, chess, or bridge. Also, watching a fun family movie with them is a way to spend a quiet, relaxed afternoon.

If they are up to it, simply going for a walk can bring their mood up. Perhaps spending time looking through their family photo albums with them can be exciting, as they get to share special memories that bring back happiness.

One thing that always cheers the elderly is a visit with animals. Many older people adore dogs, and playing with puppies often literally rids these respected people of depression. If possible, take a puppy with you to play with the residents of the nursing home, and, if pets are not allowed, consider rescuing one or two of these live-ins and taking them somewhere that they can play with these cuddly animals.

With so many options, it’s not hard to entertain the elderly for a single special day every year. More than anything, most of these lonely people are grateful for the company, and if they aren’t really in condition for any kind of physical activity, at least you can listen to them and let them share their life experiences.

Christmas Games – Keeping Children Entertained On and Off the Net!

Christmas games available on the net are a wonderful way for children to have fun and at the same time develop new skills such as analytical and computer skills. When games are extended to include family or friends it increases quality time shared and builds relationships. Also researchers confirm that playful activities benefits children in a number of ways including: helps develop problem-solving capacity, when engaged with a parent increases trust in the parent, allows them to express new emotions and builds self-confidence.

There are many game sites on the internet that offer a huge variety of free Christmas games that will keep the little ones entertained for hours! Here are 4 top sites featuring free Christmas games for children:

1. Kaboose - This is a fantastic site with many games to choose from. Here is a look at some of the more popular fun games they have on offer: “Super Santa’s Ski Jump” Control Santa's speed and style as he jumps to collect the stars!! “Evil Elves” are trying to sabotage Santa and his trusty reindeer by sneaking presents out of his toy shop. You¹ve got to stop them or there will be no presents for anyone! “Winter Holidays” enjoy three different word search games with words themed to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Website address: http://resources.kaboose.com/games/xmas.html

2. A Kids Heart - This site offers games that also include Christmas cross word puzzles and Bible verse activities. There are many games which are particularly suitable for very young children such as “Dress Up Elves” and “Decorate a Christmas Tree” where children have fun dropping and dragging parts with their computer mouse. A most popular fun game is “Break-Out Christmas Greeting Game” where children use the paddle to keep the ball bouncing until it breaks all the brick and reveals a special Christmas greeting. They are easy to play and it’s lots of fun! Website address: http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/chmain.html

3. The Santa Lady website - Here is a site with a twist – internet games and interactive home play games where you have to print out and then follow the instructions such as “Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt”. You have to take sheets of paper and a pen and as a family head off on a Christmas excursion around the block in a kind of “find and seek” game looking for Christmas decorations. There are also games that the whole family can play together at home such as “Christmas Card Game” a wonderful family game to play together. There are also some free color-in pages children can print out and color-in for Christmas. Website: http://www.santalady.com/xmasgames.html

4. Northpole.com - Here you can find educational game activities for children from pre-K to 3rd grade which includes learning letters, numbers and vocabulary all in the spirit of Christmas and fun! A really great site with interesting extra’s on offer too such as their click the box “Naughty or Nice List” and their free “My Good Deeds Calendar”. This is one which parents will want to print out and use as a tool to encourage good behavior and reward good behavior during the year. It is colorful and gives children a sense of accomplishment too as they mark off each days good deeds accomplished such as cleaned teeth, did all my chores, went to bed on time. On Christmas Eve, children can leave all their Good Deeds Calendars under the tree for Santa to see! Website: http://www.northpole.com/Academy/GoodDeeds/

As you can see there are lots of free games and activities for children on the internet. The variety is huge and parents can supervise and put aside time to spend as a family enjoying fun Christmas game time together too. A great way to do this is to print out a variety of games from the net and fold them up and put them in a hat. Each week you take it in turns to pull out a game that the whole family will play and enjoy together. Create great memories with the fun and magic of Christmas games!

Family Entertainment

Family entertainment can be very exciting and a great way to spend quality time together in an excellent environment. Children and adults alike need this time together to learn about each other and be close as a family. Entertainment can be fun and enjoyable and some forms of entertainment can even be educational.

Theme parks are a great form of family entertainment where you have thrilling rides and exciting shows that is suitable for the whole family. It doesn't matter how old or young members of your family are, these types of amusement parks always have something for every one in the family. Carnivals are another place where families can go for thrilling entertainment. They offer a variety of rides and games for the whole family.

Everyone loves a good circus where animals and their trainers put on a spectacular show. Clowns are a big hit and keep the children and many adults laughing. If excitement is something you are looking for then the acrobats presenting their balancing acts on the tight ropes keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.

Does your family enjoy seeing and learning about different types of animals and their habitats, if so then a Zoo is a wonderful place to visit. You can explore how these animals live and exist and learn what they eat and how they survive. You can see many exotic animals that you would not ever have the opportunity to see any other way.

If you like being one of these first to see the newest movies then a family trip to the theater would be a lot of fun. But if you are looking for family entertainment that is a little quieter and less expensive then having a family night at home watching movies and eating popcorn together can be a lot of fun. Also board games can be a very inexpensive way for the family to play together while providing an educational edge. Family entertainment is the way to bring any family closer together.

Entertaining: The Simple Truth

When you hear the word "entertaining," do you break out in a cold sweat? The thought of entertaining can be scary, but in reality it doesn't have to be. How you approach entertaining can make all the difference.

First of all, forget any ideas you may have that entertaining needs to be expensive and flashy.

The first rule of entertaining is to be yourself and entertain within your budget and abilities. Remember, you are supposed to have fun too! If you spend your time and energy worrying that you are not good enough and do not match up to others, you will feel your stress levels rise and spend far more than you can afford in a desire to impress.

The simple gesture of opening up your home and extending hospitality to friends, family and acquaintances is more appreciated than you will ever realise, and the more you do it, the easier it will become.

Here are some simple guidelines to bear in mind when entertaining:

- Keep it as simple as possible

- Use what you have available and are comfortable with. You don't need to buy a new dinner service, or crystal glasses!

- Keep to your budget. If this means a potluck party or a simple dessert party, then that is fine.

- Think creatively. You can create any ambience you wish without breaking the bank or exhausting yourself. Your guests will be more appreciative of original ideas than over-spending.

- Be realistic about your skills. Don't try to serve something complicated just to impress.

- Stick to a menu you are comfortable with and never make a recipe you haven't prepared before. You do not want to be wrestling with an unfamiliar recipe when you could be enjoying your guests' company.

- Plan menus that allow you the freedom to be with your guests. Prepare as much as possible beforehand - recipes that can be refrigerated or frozen, and reheated simply.

Tips to Entertaining a Thanksgiving Crowd

Throwing a fun and informal Thanksgiving party is as easy as pumpkin pie. By following our tips you can host a holiday celebration that your family and friends will be talking about for years to come.

First things first:

Settle upon how you want throw your informal Thanksgiving party. Are you going to have a buffet where people can gather around the TV and watch football or Thanksgiving movies, or do you want a sit down dinner where everyone gathers around the table to say grace and rejoice in the holiday.

Second: Decide upon a menu.

Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and pies galore is a traditional Thanksgiving menu. At times when you are serving a large crowd adding in a spiral sliced honey ham and including plenty of mouth watering appetizers will stretch you food supply.

Third: Shop, Shop and Shop some more.

If you plan ahead and start early this does not have to be stressful. Start by deciding are you serving on fine china, every day dishes or paper plates. If you are going for the paper plates spring for Thanksgiving themed plates, napkins and cups. This will lend to the festive feel of the day and make for an easy Thanksgiving clean up.

Next write up a shopping list for your Thanksgiving meal. Be sure to include spices, butter, milk and sugar. These are all items that are usually on hand but often in limited supply. To confirm this point think about the last time you ran to a convenience store on Thanksgiving, how many husbands were standing their with scowls on there faces purchasing butter and milk. Football is still mighty important to the non-chefs in the family.

Fourth: Start Cooking.

Start a day or two ahead of time assembling the casseroles and stuffing. Even pie can be made a day ahead and still be Thanksgiving fresh for the big day. If you are serving a very large crowd ask your guests to each bring a side dish or pie. They usually are happy to help and it makes your day easier.

Remember to thaw your turkey. Thanksgiving starts with a ‘t’ and so does turkey. So start early and make sure you turkey is thawed and ready for cooking on the big day.

Finally: Lay out the party.

If you are serving buffet style a quick tip is to set up a table in the living room for appetizers and snacks. This way your guests can catch every minute of the big Thanksgiving Day game while enjoying your homemade delights.

Entertaining in Tandem: Three Steps to Stress-Free Holiday Parties

Are holidays “the most wonderful time of the year”; or are they times of stress—a hectic pace of endless shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, and cleaning? Who has not thought, “Oh, to be a child again” (especially at holiday times)? Christmas and Hanukah should be joyous seasons in which are made lifetime memories that connect loved ones without all the pressures.

Susan Thacker, author of Supper Swapping—Cook Four Days a Month with Chefs’ and Restaurants’ Easy Recipes, provides three steps to easier holiday dinner parties. She believes that holiday responsibilities are sometimes self-imposed and plans do not have to be “all or nothing”. One of the ideas in Supper Swapping is to “entertain in tandem” by hosting a dinner party the same night as a friend and splitting the cooking.

Abandoning the festivities is not the solution to reducing holiday stress, according to Susan; sharing the workload with a friend and making simple, do-ahead recipes at leisure is. Below you’ll find her tips and a do-ahead recipe from Houston’s Post Oak Grill (taken from Supper Swapping, a cookbook with easy recipes from chefs and owners of restaurants around the country such as Ferrara Bakery & Café in New York and Joe’s Stone Crab.)

Step 1—Entertaining in Tandem—Sharing planning of menus, shopping for groceries, and dividing cooking duties with a friend who will host a dinner party on the same night can cut party-giving stress in half. Cooking may be done either separately in each respective kitchen or together in one kitchen (the latter arrangement is more fun).

Step 2---Selecting Do-Ahead Recipes---Careful selection of a menu that avoids difficult recipes, especially those having to be made the day of the party is a second stress reducer. Using freezable dishes for half the menu and choosing additional recipes that may be made the day before (see recipe for Blueberry Vinaigrette from Post Oak Grill in Houston) are two more great “tricks of party planning.” Many dishes are better the next day because flavors meld. (Susan Thacker recommends freezing Chicken Curry Suzanne on page 118 of her cookbook- from Florida’s top rated restaurant, Chalet Suzanne).

Step 3---Thinking in Terms of Moderation---Often the happiest holiday memories include simple meals. Susan commented, “ I remember being at my grandparents’ small Victorian cottage with a houseful of cousins. One cold evening we gathered around the floor furnace to warm our hands. Then my grandmother called us to dinner. She had made a large pot of navy beans and homemade rolls. It was a simple time and a basic menu, but truly a loving memory of my extended family together at Christmas.”

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining

The holiday season is upon us! It is a time when family and friends gather together. Some people love to entertain and enjoy bringing people together. Others feel stressed with these obligations. Whether it is a large gala for everyone you know, hosting the family holiday dinner or just having a few close friends over for a meal, planning and organization can make the difference between feeling stressed and being able to enjoy your event. The following simple tips can help you prepare your house, prepare the food and handle the final details.

Preparing the House

So how organized is your house right now? So often people become overwhelmed with the idea of entertaining; they get stuck as to where to start. Think about how your house will be used. Will this be a sit down meal in your dining room? Will groups separate into different rooms to talk or watch TV? Will your guests be staying overnight? Start early enough and focus first on the rooms that will really be used. Don’t worry about the ones that you think someone may wander into if they get lost on the way to the bathroom. Go through each room, one at a time. If there is a room that hasn’t been de-cluttered in awhile, sort through everything by dividing items into toss, donate and keep piles. This is a great time to make your donations and get that tax deduction in before the end of the year. Throw out items no longer needed and put away the items to be kept in their appropriate place.

Think about who is coming to your house. If you have items that are breakable or valuable, consider simplifying the items in the main gathering room so you and your guests (and their children) don’t have to worry about accidents that could put a damper on the evening. These items can be put up or wrapped up and stored in a plastic bin, which can be hidden in a basement or bedroom during the party and brought out easily the next day.

Depending on whatever else is going on in your life and if the budget allows it, treat yourself to a cleaning service before your event. If funds won’t stretch that far, get the whole family involved and divide the tasks up. Another option is to trade blocks of time with a good friend. Also make sure you have enough supplies on hand (toilet paper, disposable hand towels for the powder room, paper towels in the kitchen, etc.) and that they are easily accessible if needed during the time your guests are in your home.

If you give yourself enough lead-time and work at picking up and cleaning in manageable increments, you won’t get burned out and will only need to do a quick tidy the day of your event.

Preparing the Food

Now that your house is ready for guests, it’s time to focus on the food. Many people dread the food preparation that goes along with entertaining. Whether it is because they are uncertain of their cooking skills or they just don’t have the time to devote to it, the solution is the same.

- Select menu items that can be prepared in advance

- Simplify wherever possible

- Clean up after yourself as you go along

Don’t spend the hours before your event (or worse yet the hours of your event) racing madly around the kitchen. Many dishes can be partially or completely prepared in advance – take advantage of that!

Simplify your task list wherever possible. You can pick up some wonderful side dishes from the deli section of your grocery store or local specialty shop. Serve them in your own bowl or platter – no one needs to know. This way you can focus on making one or two impressive items and wow everyone without stressing yourself out.

Determine which serving pieces you’ll be using and get everything ready to go. Rinse pieces that may not have been used in a while. Make sure you have all your glassware (or for informal events - plastic ware!) ready. If you must use silver, allow enough time to give it a polish. If it is a sit-down dinner, iron the tablecloth, get out place settings and, if possible, set the table. Note: if you have pets that might jump up and investigate, throw an extra tablecloth over the table until shortly before your guests arrive. When selecting these items, try to balance putting on a great presentation with the amount of work it will take to set up and clean up.

It is so disheartening to spend hours preparing great food for your guests, only to be faced with a kitchen that is a disaster area. Clean up after yourself each step of the way. Wipe down counters, rinse your prep items and put them straight into the dishwasher, throw away any packaging. Try to have the dishwasher empty at the start of your party so as dishes are finished being used they can be immediately put in the dishwasher or easily at the end of the night, reducing the amount of time you need to spend cleaning up.

Handling the Final Details

As mentioned before, go around and tidy anything up that may have gotten messy since your big cleanup. Consider setting up a drink area where guests can help themselves to refills on drinks. Rearrange any furniture to encourage conversation among guests.

Decorating your tabletop or buffet can be as simple as moving some of your existing home décor to the party table or main room of the gathering. If your holiday decorations are out, use your extras or purchase some inexpensive evergreens. Candles of all sizes make a great filler. Use containers you already own, take it to your florist and let them do their thing.