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Simple & Delicious

Host a Holiday Party Without the Stress and Mess

The holidays are a wonderful time to get friends and family together to celebrate the season. With a little planning, your party can be low stress and low mess. Ready to learn how? Then read on, hostess!

Easy Party Recipes
These recipes present a nice spread for your guests and offer a variety of flavors. For open-house parties, a table full of light munchies and one or two more-substantial offerings will satisfy all your guests. Here are some suggestions:

Super 7 Layer Party Dip

With layers of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, spicy tomato chunks, sliced ripe olives, and sliced green onions, this dip has something for everyone.

Fresh-Cut Veggies and Fruits

Buy a precut tray to save time. This is a great idea for those who are watching their weight!

Shredded Beef Sandwiches

Guests can inhale the inviting scent of this ultimate comfort food upon arrival.

Holiday Sugar Cookies

The perfect holiday treat to satisfy the sweet tooth of all.

Easy Party-Planning Tips

No matter what type of party you are planning, it's helpful to have a basic list of things that will need to be done prior to the day of the party, and even the day of. This simple list will keep things low stress.

Four weeks before:

  • Make the guest list
  • Set party date and time
  • Send out invitations
  • Decide on decorations
  • Take inventory of needed supplies and purchase what's missing
  • Choose music

One to two weeks before:

  • Make a grocery list
  • Go to the grocery store for the menu items above
  • Call non-RSVP guests to confirm

One day prior:

  • Clean your house; put out fresh towels and sufficient toilet paper
  • Prepare any food that you can in advance
  • Rearrange/add furniture if needed
  • Set up buffet table (and bar if needed)

Day of:

  • Finish food preparations
  • Complete a final check on the house

Moments before:

  • Light candles
  • Start music
  • Set out ice bucket
  • Set out food

Finally, stick to these tips for keeping it low stress:

  • Get as much done as you can ahead of time.
  • Enlist the whole family to help clean the house.
  • Ask the kids to clean up their areas a day or two before the party and also to do a final tidy-up the hour prior.
  • Consider enlisting a good friend as a party helper; ask her to come a half-hour to one hour early to help with last-minute preparations and to keep things running smoothly during the party.

Now you're ready to smile, relax, and enjoy your party!

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