ENTERTAINING

Have your party and get festive

Quick tips to host agreatparty andenjoyit!

Yes, it can be done

The end of the year marks a time punctuated by get-togethers and parties — events where families and friends gather around dinner tables topped with festive centerpieces and tasty seasonal dishes, exchange gifts bundled in glittering wrapping paper and celebrate the holidays.

Attending get-togethers is exciting; however, hosting the party can be a different story. From set-up and clean-up to decor and hors d’oeuvres, follow a few simple tips so your holiday party is one to remember.

Don’t cut corners. Cut costs. A big difference lies between cutting corners and cutting costs. Trying to save money on liquor by buying cheap wine? A waste of money. Instead, cut costs by opting for e-vites, like those offered by Paperless Post. They’re tasteful, but less expensive than printing paper invitations for every guest.

Do up your appetizer game. Gone are the days of the boring crudités. Faith Durand, a James Beard Award winner and coauthor of The Kitchn Cookbook, suggests swapping a pile of carrots for a tastier, more diverse platter. Durand says to begin with “one or two vegetables that people are used to, like zucchini or cucumber,” then, “add a few grown-up choices, like fennel, radish or broccolini.” Serve the spread with a simple white bean dip or other seasonal favorite, and you have a party favorite.

Don’t “free spend.” That is, set a budget, and a strict one. Spending money on cute napkin holders and beautiful centerpieces is really fun and very easy. This can get out of hand very quickly. Don’t have a great party at the expense of your checking account.

Do plan for the mood. Consider lighting, music and furniture arrangement. If need be, plan to bring a lamp from another room to the area where you party will be held to provide more light. Create a seasonal playlist on Spotify or Pandora and connect your phone to a bluetooth speaker. Move your furniture around, if need be, to allow for better “party flow.” Don’t leave out breakable, sentimental items. There’s no need to “baby-proof” your entire home, but don’t tempt fate by leaving your great-grandmother’s heirloom vase teetering near the edge of a coffee table. Pull those items that are irreplaceable and tuck them safely in a bedroom closet until after your party.

Do whip out the iron. If your party is formal enough so that you have to pull out the linen napkins and tablecloth, be sure to pull out the iron, too. Smooth, crisp linens look incredible and make for a big statement; wrinkled linens are a sure-fire way to make your dining table look messy.

Don’t forget RSVPs. You might be surprised to know that the number of guests you have attending affects everything from seating to drinks and food. Don’t forget to ask for an RSVP from your guests, and make sure you note how and by when to contact you.

Do have fun with decor. Kelly Wearstler, a designer and contributor to The Huffington Post, writes that for parties, she prefers “a natural wood or stone table, free of table runners or linen cloths.” Instead, Wearstler opts for warm brass accessories, unique florals and cool, easy details, such as unique flatware and bold, graphic place settings. Whatever your style, make it yours and have fun mixing your existing decor with a few new pieces here and there to curate the perfect setup.

Don’t try a last-minute recipe. Browsing adorable, dainty appetizers on Pinterest the morning of your party may not spell disaster, but it may not end well either. Stick to the thought-out plan, and make sure you’ve had at least one test run with all the foods and beverages you’ll be serving.

Do keep a warm oven. Set your oven to 200 degrees F so you can quickly warm or reheat food for your guests.

Don’t delay dinner for late guests. While waiting for your tardy friend to arrive before serving dinner may sound polite, it’s actually quite rude to the guests who arrived on time.

Do create a D-I-Y bar. Don’t try and play bartender in addition to your hosting duties; create a self-serve drink area, preferably with a seasonal punch. RealSimple.com recommends trying receipts for pineapple mint punch, tequila grapefruit splash, winter sangria, vodka cranberry cooler, spiked sparkling cider or bourbon ginger snap.

Don’t forget about qual

ity conversation. Drop the conversation about the weather. Ask about significant others, kids, vacation photos you saw on Facebook, commiserate over the football game from last night and tell a few jokes. It’s simple.

Do make the rounds. Finding each guest at some point during your party, thanking them for joining you and spending a few moments of conversation go a long way in making your guests feel appreciated and welcomed.

Don’t forget the dishes. If you opted for a casual “paper plate” kind of get-together, make sure you’re taking guests’ used plates to the trash can and emptying the bin here and there to prevent it from overflowing. If you’re using “the good stuff,” a.k.a. china or porcelain dishes, have a sink of warm, sudsy water in the kitchen where guests can leave their dishes to soak. It’s easier for both them and you.

Do have fun. This is your party, family and friends. What are the holidays if not a time to relax and appreciate and revel in the company of people whom you love? Don’t go nuts cleaning the night of the party. The guests are gone, and it’s past midnight, so do a quick sweep of the house to make life easier in the morning, but no more. Check for any spills or stains and take care of those, take out the trash and refrigerate leftovers. Then, hit the hay.

Do send thank-you cards. Many bring a host or hostess gift, which means you ought to send a thank-you note.

Don’t be critical of yourself. The party is done and your guests had fun, so don’t worry that you ran out of an appetizer an hour into the party.

Do throw another party. Did you have fun? Do it again all year, since the holidays are a great excuse to throw a party, but dinner parties and get-togethers can be had year round.