Christmas Party

For some people, the mere thought of opening up the house at Christmas will send them spiralling into a panic - especially at the busy time of year that is December. For others, a house full of guests is true happiness and they couldn't get through Christmas without hosting a great party.  Here are a few rules for a Christmas stress-free party

 1) plan once, enjoy the night create three master lists - guests, menu and shopping - that will help you keep track of everything for the party.  

 2) make the guest list work Call guests before you even set the date for your party, not everyone will be able to come. Give people no less than three weeks' notice -- remember, holiday schedules fill up fast. Invite friends and family by phone, then follow up with a written reminder. A  Christmas cardor  an invitation will do the job.  

3) sort the food and drinks Food and drink are your party's most important ingredients. The first thing to plan is the main dish.  If you'll be cooking a complicated main dish, go for simple side dishes that can be easily prepared in advance. Don't rule out convenience foods like barbecue chicken served on platters of fresh iceberg lettuce or Turkish bread and dips  Have a variety of nonalcoholic drinks . Buy more than you think you'll need. Alcohol?, don't feel obligated to set up a full bar. Unless you're having a cocktail party, it's fine to limit your selections to wine and beer. 

 4) go for visual appeal A beautifully set table can make even plain food look elegant and inviting. And you don't need to spend a lot of money to do it. Start with a great tablecloth, add a bowl of Christmas balls, fruits or candles. Candlelight is the kindest light of all but can be hot and dangerous if there are children attending the party. 

 5) make food ahead of time if you can Waiting until the last few days before your party to cook everything just doesn't make sense - especially when, if you examine your menu, you'll see that much of it can be prepared ahead, frozen and reheated. your children can - and should - help out to get the party ready and then help host it by clearing away glasses and passing around nibblees. 

 6) enjoy yourself The hardest and the most important thing is- have fun! It takes a lot of planning and effort to pull of a Christmas party, and most guests are delighted that you have invited them along. Take a deep breath before you open the door to guests and relax.