Throwing a holiday party is great fun…and a lot of work before, during and after. But there are ways to reduce the workload and increase the fun:

• Outsource, outsource, outsource – When I give a dinner party, the first question I get from invitees is “Can I bring anything?” Just say Yes.  Guests are often happy to contribute food or drink items – create your dinner menu and then be specific about what you need, such as the type of wine, brand, where to get it. This way, your guests don’t have to figure out what to do and you all end up with a thoughtful and well-rounded menu. Another labor saver – preorder a turkey or ham. Also, ordering a decorative centerpiece will add beauty to your table. Then you can focus your efforts elsewhere, perhaps on creating a spectacular dessert or unique party entertainment.
• Delegate, delegate, delegate – Don’t try to do it all yourself. Have the kids set table – you can adjust to perfection later.  Have your significant other help with pre-party house cleaning. You may even want to hire a Professional Organizer/Home Stager to prepare your home for the event – to declutter, organize, help prioritize tasks for the event, and arrange your furniture to best show off your home and accommodate guests, as well as make strategic decorating improvements.
• Use an online invitation system like evite.com instead of snail-mail – you create one invitation and email it to everyone. All RSVPs can be managed in one place. This can be a huge time saver.
• For an all grown-ups evening, let your kids stay with friends for the evening…after they’ve set the table, of course. They’ll be much more excited about helping before if they anticipate fun afterward.
• Give yourself permission to leave the cleanup for tomorrow, or even contract with a cleaning service to do the after-party clean-up. This way you can spend the maximum time enjoying your guests and your own party.

Best wishes for your holiday party planning!