Every year my college roommate Jen and I have our annual Holiday Soiree. It’s always the first Saturday of December and I like to think I’ve got it down to a T now that we done it more than a few time. We have it at my house and since Jen knows way more people that I do, the place always gets packed, which I love.

My job is to make the living room and dining room over the top with a tree and decorations and Jen’s is to plan and execute most of the food. Here are some tips to make the night go easier.

• Have a designated area for the coats that is smoke free and pet free. After a certain age, most people don’t want to smell like they were in a bar all night and just because you live life with cat/dog hair all over your clothes doesn’t mean other want to. They will appreciate this extra effort, believe me.
• If you’re serving wine or champagne, use real glasses, I can’t stress the added delight of actually using real glass or stemware to drink it out of. Yes, some might get broken but that’s why you invest in inexpensive ones that won’t be a big deal if they get broken. I picked up a couple of boxes of 12 for $9.99 each at Ross and I only pull them out for this party. I mean, we’re not in college anymore, capiche?

I made this box from a plain wood box a brand had sent me. I stained it and used an idea I saw on Pinterest of stacking wood, pine branches and pine cones in it. 

• Block off 45 minutes an hour or so before the party to sit down and have a full meal. As the host, you’re not going to have time to eat much as your job is be the social butterfly making sure everyone else is having a great time. And there’s nothing more unattractive than someone who drank on an empty stomach. You want your guests to be talking about the party afterward for all the right reasons, not to tell you to give Bill W. a call.
• If you can, hire someone to do your hair and makeup. My makeup and hair never seem to look right if I have to do it myself beforehand.
• Since I always get texts leading up to the party asking what they can bring, I always tell people something I can hang from the tree and enjoy for years to come. Just make sure they sign it so you know who it’s from!
• I put aside $60 in the budget for each party to hire two people for a few hours to help clean up the next day. This makes such a difference and makes it less daunting.

Every year we get a lot of feedback from people who enjoyed themselves so we will keep on doing it until no one shows up! What are some tips you’ve done to make your holiday party a success? 

Above was Darla's way of helping out! Not unless you count being cute as helping.