Go ahead. Be brave and throw a great holiday party for your family and friends. A really great party is often a matter of the right combination of good friends, good food, relaxation and a little structure. Once you have that, you can smile and enjoy your party.

Setting the mood and tone of the party is essential. If you want everyone to relax and have fun make sure that you are organized. Don't forget to have a couple of games for those who want to attend the party, but loves games. A few people playing a game does not mean a failed party. An inexpensive child's game, such as Pick-Up Sticks is the perfect ice breaker to get fun started. Who doesn't love a good challenge, even at a party?

Whatever food you’re going to serve, have it ready to go; and know when and how you’re going to serve it. If it is sit down, you’ll want to have the first course on the table before you call your guests in to sit down. If it’s a buffet, have everything set out and ready for guests to serve themselves. Finger-foods may best suit your buffet--use medium-sized, leak-proof paper plates. Have lined waste baskets near the buffet table.

If beverages include alcohol, you should also have some non-alcoholic beverages as well. Make sure you have juice and seltzer as well as sodas. A nice punch in a couple of carafes is a nice touch for your party.

Consider vegetarian friends and family when planning your menu. If you have room you can make a special table so these foods and utensils are separate. It will be appreciated.

If a guest brings a gift, accept it graciously, but don’t feel pressure to use what people bring, if you already have something else planned. If someone brings flowers, put them in a vase on a corner table. Don't destroy the look or feel of the table you have already prepared.

As host or hostess, move around the room to keep people talking and the conversation rolling.

When the party is over, you want to make sure everyone leaves feeling you truly enjoyed their company. See people out, but don’t remain at the door if you have lingering guests.

Special Circumstances

• Will children be attending your party? If yes, make your home as childproof as you can. Block possible problem or worrisome areas from the children’s access.
  
  
• Will family or friends bring infants? Make sure there is a room or some private area for feeding, nursing, diaper changing and naps.
  

After the party--it pays to be cautious. If you have young children in the house, clean up certain areas before you go to bed. Children can wake up before you do and possibly ingest harmful substances such as alcohol from open bottles left out or tobacco from cigarette butts in an ashtray.

Visit BellaOnline's Food and Wine section for recipes, advice about wine, etiquette and more, www.bellaonline.com/Channel/c7.asp

Also, visit the Food Network www.foodnetwork.com for more ideas.

Read David Tutera’s Book The Party Planner"



Stop here at Amazon and type in "Pick-Up Sticks", "Scrabble" or whatever game you are looking for then order or go to your local toy or departments store to buy.