T H I strive to make entertaining special, rather than relaxed, I go for traditional and fancy. I use Project Plans in Excel to make to-do lists, set timelines, create shopping lists, recipes/ingredients with many tabs for my Entertaining Spreadsheet. I revel in beautiful table settings with fine china, linens, cloth napkins, enjoy creating gorgeous flower arrangements. With our family, a 'small' Thanksgiving is 25 people, and the largest has been 55 - for that I do good plastic plates and the heavier silver-colored plastic utensils. But I pull out beautiful serving dishes and my best utensils, put out cloth tablecloths and decorate like crazy. Thanksgiving is a group effort, brother brings two smoked turkeys, everyone brings side dishes or something, even cash contributions. But when I do parties, I insist that guests don't bring the food [I think it is insulting to invite someone over AND expect them to bring the food. what??]. I want to treat my guests and have them arrive with no cares, and I lavish them with drinks in clinking sparkling glassware, all kinds of delicious foods from simple meatballs, to shrimp on ice, to smoked salmon, delicious beef and horseradish, and intense flavorful dips. I put out the best silver, linens, create fabulous decor and indulgent flower arrangements. Its a party, you are the guest! Dress up! I even hire a piano player. Oh. and light tens and tens of candles throughout the house. People LOVE to be treated specially. oh and don't get near the dishes. That's not why you are here. Stay out of the kitchen. grrrr. Enjoy yourself, drink and eat. I love you and want to make you happy and relaxed!

olldbobbi Laura, this is a wonderful ideabook! Stress free holiday hosting sounds like an oxymoron to me given my lack of cooking prowess. I would so much rather be a helpful guest than a harried host. But if I were to be brave and take the plunge, these are some great ideas. Are we all invited to your holiday party?

madeleinejs One of the best investments I ever made was to buy 100 wine glasses and 100 water glasses made by Bormioli. They were really cheap (I live in Italy) and had a form that went with anything, from formal to casual and worked well with any type of wine(they have a low pedestal rather than a stem). Real glasses are more festive; they make less expensive wine seem better and what I have saved by not buying paper or plastic has allowed me to have better food and wine. I never bought paper after that. I always had enough glasses and when they got low, we washed them quickly by hand. Doing a dishwasher full of them was no harder than throwing away paper or plastic. That was 15 years ago, and I'm down to about 75 left. As soon as they are washed, they go right back in their box and back to the basement. Yes, washing takes energy, but I'm sure this is more sustainable than petroleum-based plastics that fill landfill. And definitely more elegant.

Marina Klima Goldberg - Klima Design Group I love hosting a party, and I can now save time and money with these stress-less secrets for holiday party. I can create a meaningful memories that will not drain my energy. Timeless color for a more traditional style, the dazzling table settings and centerpieces for elegant inspiration for this holiday season are all awesome. These are good ideas.

Bonnie I like to bring out the nice china and wine glasses for the holidays. If there is anytime to treat yourself and guests to a pretty table, I think it is the holidays. I will usually set my dining table days ahead of time. Most recipes will be prepped as far in advance as possible so on the "day of" it is really just assembly of food and some minimal cooking. For centerpieces, I like to go in the yard and clip greens here in there and arrange them in a pretty vase or other vessel. I might also add a few sparkly ornaments on the table and then I am ready for Company! When I throw a party, I prep ahead as much as possible so I can relax and enjoy the company.