When it comes to holiday hosting, a little planning goes a long way in making things stress-free. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or a casual get-together with friends, I’ve got some tips plus a FREE printable planning guide to help make your holiday celebrations enjoyable without feeling overwhelmed.
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The Top 10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Hosting this Season
The holidays are almost here, and it’s the perfect time to celebrate with the people who matter most.
As a past event planner, I know all about the joys—and the challenges—of holiday hosting.
Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year, but I know the holiday season can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re getting ready for a house full of guests.
If your to-do list feels never-ending, don’t worry—I’m here to help!
I’ve put together my best holiday hosting tips, along with a FREE printable weekly Christmas planning guide and checklist to keep you on track and make things easier this season.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner, planning a party, or just having a casual gathering, this season is all about making memories together.
So read on for my top 10 tips to enjoy the magic of the season with less stress and more joy!
Table of Contents
- The Top 10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Hosting this Season
- 1. Plan Ahead: The Key to Joyful Holiday Hosting
- 2. Set a Budget: Hosting a Memorable Holiday Party Without Breaking the Bank
- 3. Inventory Decor: Getting Ready for Holiday Decorating
- 4. Set up a Holiday Calendar: Planning for a Season Full of Cheer
- 5. Get a Jumpstart on Holiday Shopping: Tips to Beat the Last-Minute Rush
- 6. Plan Your Holiday Menu: Easy Christmas Party Snacks and Drinks
- 7. Prepare the Guest Bedroom: Creating a Warm Welcome for the Holidays
- 8. Clean and Declutter: Creating Calm Before the Holiday Hustle
- 9. Delegate: Divide and Conquer Your Holiday Hosting To-Do’s
- 10. Embrace the Imperfect and Have Fun
1. Plan Ahead: The Key to Joyful Holiday Hosting
When it comes to hosting friends and family, planning ahead is key to managing the holiday chaos and keeping stress at bay.
Whether you’re hosting a crowd or a more cozy get-together, checking things off your to-do list before your guests arrive can make all the difference.
Keeping a flexible timeline helps you stay on track and manage everything without feeling overwhelmed.
And I’ve put together a little something to help!
I’ve created a FREE 8-week planning guide just for you.
My 10+-page guide includes a week-by-week checklist to help you manage your to-do list.
I’ve also included bonus sheets for tracking your budget, planning your holiday menu, keeping an eye on gift purchases, and more!
Just subscribe to grab your free copy and take the first step toward a stress-free holiday season!
2. Set a Budget: Hosting a Memorable Holiday Party Without Breaking the Bank
As you dive into your holiday hosting prep, remember you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a festive and memorable gathering.
Set a budget for gifts, decor, groceries, and extras like holiday cards and stamps.
(Pssst…my free holiday checklist even has a budget tracking sheet to help you stay on track!)
For gifts, consider saving money by making something homemade.
Hot cocoa bombs paired with a cute holiday mug and freshly baked Christmas cookies are a simple (and delicious!) option.
Alternatively, you could create a unique personalized gift basket filled with other goodies, such as canned jams or homemade salsa made with fresh produce from your garden.
When it comes to decorating, get creative with what you already have around the house.
Use simple, elegant Christmas decor to transform your home into a warm and welcoming holiday haven.
Strands of twinkle lights, dried orange ornaments, and greenery are a few of my favorites.
You can even DIY a few decorations—like mini chair wreaths or a festive gingerbread centerpiece—to add a personal touch.
Remember, the holidays are more about the memories than the money spent.
3. Inventory Decor: Getting Ready for Holiday Decorating
Of course, decorating your home is part of hosting for the holidays, but before you get started, take an inventory of what you already have and where everything is stored.
If you’re someone who enjoys changing up your decor from time to time, doing an inventory can make the decorating process a lot more enjoyable and less stressful!
Knowing what you have on hand means you won’t buy things you don’t need.
Red and white are usually my go-to colors for Christmas decor, but I’ve experimented with several different styles over the years.
If you’re looking to change up your color scheme, here are just a few of my favorites:
- Elegant red and gold Christmas decor
- Charming blue and green Christmas decor
- Classic red and white Christmas decor
- Festive green and gold Christmas decor
While you’re going through your decorations, think about donating any items you don’t want anymore, or you can sell them for some extra cash.
And don’t forget to check your Christmas lights!
Replace any broken bulbs and toss out any strands that are no longer working.
4. Set up a Holiday Calendar: Planning for a Season Full of Cheer
Number four on my list of stress-busting holiday hosting hacks is to fill out a Christmas calendar.
Staying organized during the busy holiday hosting season can make all the difference, and one great way to do that is by writing down all your parties, events, and activities on your calendar.
This way, you won’t miss out on any festive outings, holiday work parties, school events, or family get-togethers.
Plus, it’s a great excuse to get into the holiday spirit!
And don’t forget about an Advent calendar!
It’s a fun way to count down to Christmas—you can easily grab one at the store or make your own DIY version with little surprises.
Whether you prefer a good old-fashioned paper calendar or a digital calendar, having everything laid out will help you keep track of all the holiday joy ahead.
5. Get a Jumpstart on Holiday Shopping: Tips to Beat the Last-Minute Rush
If you want to avoid the holiday shopping madness, now’s the time to get started!
Shopping early means you can take your time picking out gifts and stocking stuffers.
And you’ll have a much better chance of finding exactly what you’re looking for!
Plus, if you’re planning to make some DIY gifts, starting early is key to making sure you’re not rushing to whip something up at the last minute!
Keep an eye out for sales and deals.
And remember to use my holiday planner to help you track your purchases and stick to your budget.
While you’re getting a jump on your Christmas gift shopping, be sure to make a checklist for the essentials you’ll need for your holiday house guests.
Stock up on items like toilet paper, paper towels, and other necessities so you won’t run out and have to rush to the store at the last minute.
And don’t forget to check your stash of wrapping paper, bows, tissue paper, and gift tags!
I always try to stock up on gift-wrapping supplies right after the holidays.
Those day-after-Christmas sales often have the best deals!
Or, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option now, you can also use simple brown craft paper and some paint markers to create your own holiday wrapping.
Plus, you can print out Christmas gift tags at home for an extra personal touch.
6. Plan Your Holiday Menu: Easy Christmas Party Snacks and Drinks
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, a casual Christmas morning brunch, or a fun cookie exchange with friends, planning your menu can save you time and stress.
You can also set up a festive hot cocoa bar or dessert station that your guests will love!
Include holiday treats like double chocolate chip peppermint cookies, almond shortbread cookies, or my personal favorite, chocolate-covered peanut butter balls.
Consider serving a few crowd-pleasers like a charcuterie board, or finger foods that are easy to prepare.
For drinks, offer a signature cocktail like a sparkling white sangria or a festive punch that guests can serve themselves.
And make sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic options available too.
If you need more ideas for your holiday meals, here are a few of my other favorite Christmas recipes:
Christmas Breakfast or Brunch
- Christmas Morning Quiche
- Festive Fruit Wreath with Dip
- Breakfast Sausage Crescent Rolls
- No Fail Cheesy Has Brown Casserole
- Bacon and Egg Potato Bake
Holiday Appetizers
- Holiday Hawaiian Cheese Ball
- Cranberry and Feta Spinach Pinwheels
- Crockpot Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
- Cheesy Shrimp Dip
- Crockpot Bourbon Meatballs
Christmas Dinner Soup and Sandwich Potluck
- Creamy Tortellini Soup with Kielbasa
- Hearty Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Baked Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Chili
- Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder
7. Prepare the Guest Bedroom: Creating a Warm Welcome for the Holidays
Making family and friends feel at home is really what holiday hosting is all about!
Whether it’s adding some cozy blankets, setting up a snack station, or arranging seating for easy conversation, these small details can make a big difference.
If you’re hosting overnight guests, take a little time to prepare a place for them to sleep.
Whether it’s a guest room or just a comfy spot in the living room with an air mattress and a soft pillow topper, make sure you have plenty of warm blankets and extra bed pillows on hand.
And don’t forget about toiletries!
Stock up on travel-sized essentials like toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for your guests.
8. Clean and Declutter: Creating Calm Before the Holiday Hustle
Getting your home ready for hosting guests for the holidays doesn’t have to mean an all-out deep clean!
If you’re like me, it’s easy to get sidetracked by every little detail, so instead, focus on smaller decluttering tasks that really need to be done before your company arrives.
Tackle those areas that tend to gather clutter—like the entryway, kitchen counters, or that catch-all corner in the living room.
Spacing out the bigger cleaning tasks can help keep things manageable.
Clean out your fridge before stocking up on holiday groceries.
Then, the day before your guests arrive, warm a holiday simmer pot on your stove, turn on some Christmas music, and tackle those last-minute tasks—like dusting, wiping down bathrooms, and vacuuming to keep things feeling fresh and festive.
9. Delegate: Divide and Conquer Your Holiday Hosting To-Do’s
At the end of the day, even the most organized person needs a helping hand when it comes to holiday hosting prep!
Don’t hesitate to ask for help and delegate tasks to family and friends!
Consider asking someone to bring a favorite dish, put together the Christmas playlist, bring some fun games, or bring extra bedding for the guest room.
Sharing the load not only makes things easier for you but also gets everyone involved in making your holiday celebration even more memorable.
10. Embrace the Imperfect and Have Fun
And my last tip for a low-stress holiday party hosting experience is to have fun!
Remember, the holidays are about spending time with family and friends.
Don’t get so caught up in the hosting that you forget to enjoy the moment.
Remember, take time to relax and soak in all the joy that the holiday season brings.
Hosting a Holiday Party Beyond Christmas
Hosting a holiday gathering isn’t just for Christmas time!
You can extend your holiday celebrations into the new year with a fun, casual gathering for friends and family.
Hosting a New Year’s Eve charcuterie party can be relaxed and low-key while still being festive.
Think about serving easy appetizers like meats and cheeses, or a vegetable tray with creamy herb dip, popping some champagne, and setting out party favors for guests to celebrate as the new year rolls in.
It’s all about enjoying the moment with your loved ones and ringing in the new year together.
Wrapping Up Your Holiday Hosting Experience
At the end of the day, holiday hosting is really about making memories with the people you love most.
I hope these simple holiday party tips help you feel more relaxed and ready to enjoy every part of the season.
With a little planning and a few creative touches, you’ll be set to make this holiday one to remember—without all the stress.
Happy holidays!
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You have me so excited for the holidays! I love all of the tips and ideas!
Thank you, Missy! It will be here before we know it!
This is fabulous Jen, thanks for all of the great tips for a stress free holiday!
Thank you, Wendy! I hope you have a fun (and low-stress!) holiday season!