Have you checked out Real Simple’s Stress-Free Holiday Party Plan?
Organizing Stress-Free Holiday Parties
My favorite tips include:
Soak dirty dishes during the party. Your dishwasher will love you too.
Clear the air. Leave a window open about two- inches to clear the air (before, during and after the party). Why waste money on air-fresheners?
Keep prepared food warm. “A 200-degree oven works as a warming drawer,” says Kelsey Nixon, the host of Kelsey’s Essentials, on the Cooking Channel. This also frees up counter space and provides insurance that your food won’t burn if you forget to take it out
