Are you planning holiday festivities at your home this season? Give your guests the most enjoyable, memorable experience while making all of your tasks a little easier by following these 12 holiday hosting tips, sourced directly from our team of talented and insightful designers.

Make SPIRITS Bright - The stronger the drink, the better your food will taste! But, seriously. Who doesn’t want a delicious cocktail in hand at a party? Have a variety of spirits for your guests to choose from, and do some Pinterest searching for your own specialty holiday beverage. Set up your bar outside of the kitchen to keep in clear of guests and open for preparation, serving, and clean up.

Set Up an Outdoor Table - Weather permitting, an outdoor table is an ideal choice for your guests. It adds another space to aid with the flow of your party, giving attendees more room to spread out and preventing congestion around the food and drinks. Even better, it helps keep much of the mess out of your house! Make the space as inviting as possible by including elements like twinkle lights and a fire nearby.

Keep the Kids Happy - If your party is intended to be kid-friendly, make sure you include some elements for them as well. Happy kids equal happy parents who are able to enjoy themselves among other adults. A few simple arts and crafts activities or games can help keep little hands occupied. Set up a dedicated area for these projects that is separate from the main party areas but close enough to keep a watchful eye.

Keep the Decor Understated - Decorating for a large party may feel overwhelming, but it's truly the small touches that make the biggest difference. Focus on the main areas of your home that are most visible and will be central gathering points for your guests. Use classic, understated decorations to make the space feel both elegant and inviting.

Enlist the Help of Professionals - From catering to house cleaning, there is no shortage of professional services available to help ease the pressure of planning and executing the perfect holiday gathering.  If you're feeling overwhelmed or simply want to throw the best party possible, consider enlisting the aid of some pros. Even something as small as grocery delivery or curbside pickup can make a significant difference.

Stay on Task - The task list that comes with event planning can quickly grow out of control and leave you wondering if you've managed to accomplish it all. Keep yourself organized with a calendar and checklist. This will help ensure that no detail, no matter how small, gets lost in the shuffle and that your party goes precisely to plan.

Create a Playlist - What's a party without music? Crafting the perfect holiday playlist sets the mood, gets your guests into the holiday spirit, and helps avoid awkward silences with there are lulls in the conversation. If using an app, choose one that will allow you to stream your music ad-free and ensure that there are no connectivity issues between your device and speakers beforehand.

Prepare in Advance - Leaving your set-up for the day of the party is a guarantee for stress. Inevitably, there won't be enough time to run errands, prepare food, decorate your home, and get yourself ready before guests arrive. Manage your time wisely by spreading out tasks that can be completed early over the days leading up to your event.

Create Flow - While your home may be ideally suited for day-to-day living, chances are that you'll need to do some rearranging to create effective flow for a party. Move furniture to create clear paths through the areas where guests will enter, eat, and congregate.

Serve Kid-Friendly Options - Just as you'll want entertainment options for any children who may be in attendance, you should also plan to serve kid-friendly food options. Select finger foods that are both pleasing to a child's palate and aesthetically fun. Santa hats from strawberries, fruit tray Christmas trees, and reindeers with pretzel antlers are all ideas sure to please your youngest guests.

Keep it Out of the Kitchen - A kitchen full of guests can make food preparation and serving a difficult task. Keep this space free and clear of guests by setting up food and beverage stations in other, designated areas of your home, including outdoors. Buffet tables, bar carts, and trash cans should all be easy to spot and access from the main party areas.

RENOVATE - Don't feel like your home is up to the task of party hosting? If outdated features and a less than ideal layout are preventing you from making the most of your home, it may be time to consider a renovation. From the kitchen to the den, transform each room into one that you love and will be proud to show off to family and friends.