10 Hosting Tips To Keep Your Holiday Gatherings Organized & Stress-Free

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For many people, the holidays bring excitement and magic. It's a time for decorating, shopping, and the happy secrets of gift giving — even if that means sneaking off into another room to DIY a budget-friendly gift your friends and family will love. It also often brings worry and stress, though, as there is an endless list of things to do in preparation. That's especially true if you're hosting a holiday event. The to-do list can feel never-ending. You want everything to be perfect, and it takes a lot of effort to make it that way — even if you enjoy hosting, there's pressure to make sure the event is enjoyable for everyone. But hosting a dinner or a holiday party doesn't have to be so stressful. The key is good organization and a thoughtful approach.

Taking time before the event to think through its logistics and put a few systems in place will go a long way toward ensuring you don't spend the entire event cooking and cleaning. A little pre-planning, like making checklists, prepping the dining table and guest bathrooms, and designating food and beverage areas, also means you won't be rushing around to ensure your guests have everything they need to have a great experience. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that it doesn't have to be perfect — it really is about enjoying time together with your loved ones. 

One of the first things you should do to keep your home organized while hosting is make checklists. Taking the time to write down what cleaning, shopping, tidying, and preparation needs to be done will help you figure out what can be done ahead of time and what needs to be done the day of the event. Assigning dates to tasks will ensure everything gets done on schedule so you're not scrambling as guests arrive.

Take a task off your day-of plate by prepping the table a little early. You will have more time to plan the perfect tablescape, as much of it can be done ahead of time. Plan out your tablecloth, centerpieces, and place settings. You can even decide where you want to place the dishes on the day of your event. A little early planning can also help you save money by using what you already have and then shopping to fill in the gaps.

Tucking a simple, decorative basket, like the trendy Dollar Tree storage essential that is being snapped up fast, in a convenient spot can be a huge help during holiday gatherings. As you move through your home greeting guests and ensuring they have what they need, you can quietly pick up any stray items and place them in a basket to be put away later. You could also stash a few baskets in various places throughout rooms near where guests are gathering for even easier, quicker tidying. 

Take a few minutes to make your bathrooms guest-friendly for the holidays. Pay attention to little touches that make guests feel special, such as luxurious lotions or fresh flowers. For an extremely thoughtful touch, fill a decorative container with items a guest may need but be embarrassed to ask for, such as a first aid kit or headache medicine. Also, leave out a couple of different options for freshening the air, such as potpourri and Poo-Pourri, and light a scented candle if it's safe to do so.

When guests arrive, they will probably have coats, purses, or other items they don't want to carry throughout the evening. A mudroom or coat closet near the front door is a perfect place for them to stow and organize their belongings while they enjoy the festivities. If these features are not available in your home, it's a good idea to decide where to stow these items before the event. Bedrooms and laundry rooms are good locations, especially if located near the door. Guests will be able to retrieve their items comfortably as needed.

If you're not hosting a meal around a dining room table, consider setting up areas throughout the entertaining space for small courses. For example, appetizers can be placed on tables near where guests will gather, so they can graze while they socialize. Desserts can be set up on a side table, and guests can help themselves when the main course is finished. It's common to serve a buffet-style main course in the kitchen. You can maximize countertop space when hosting a holiday meal by using a sink cover for more counter space. 

Set up a drink cart and let guests pour their own drinks. While you're busy making sure the food is just right, mixing cocktails might be a bit much to add to your proverbial plate. A beverage cart or station stocked with ice, drinks, and glasses allows guests to help themselves. Check out these trendy beverage station ideas that will set your kitchen apart from the rest for inspiration. Keep it simple with wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and water, or serve a festive punch in a pretty dispenser.  

Holiday get-togethers create all sorts of trash. Strategically place trash and recycle bins near gathering spots (and a scrap bin near your food prep spot), lining them with several trash bags to simplify taking out the garbage. When the can gets full, simply tie it up and carry it out without worrying about putting in a new trash bag. If you have multiple food tables, place a triple-lined can near them for quick emptying. It also wouldn't hurt to place one in the living room.

Messes happen during a lively holiday gathering. Stay on top of them by assembling a small cleaning caddy and stashing it out of the way but within easy reach. It doesn't need to be elaborate, but keeping some cleaning wipes, a small broom and dustpan, all-purpose cleaner, and paper towels handy can help you quickly clean up any spills or crumbs. After putting in the work to clean for guests, you really want to keep small messes from turning into serious stains to manage once the party's over. 

Probably the biggest stress-free tip is also the simplest — let someone help. Often, we get super busy trying to get everything done, and we may not want to burden our guests with work. But letting a friend help set the table or pour some drinks can take some of the pressure off of you, allowing you to relax and have a good time as well. And if no one offers? Ask for help getting the house organized and ready. Most of the time, people are genuinely happy to pitch in.