The Stress-Free Holiday Party Plan

Step 3: Manage the Mood

Lighting

Turn off your bright overheads and use amber votive holders, which give off a warm glow. (Embossed fleur-de-lis candleholders, $2 each, pier1.com.) Decorate with metallic accents—they’re instantly festive and bounce light around. Tape light and dimmer switches in place so guests won’t lean on them and ruin the vibe.

Music

To infuse the party with holiday cheer without subjecting folks to back-to-back tracks of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” and “Feliz Navidad,” mix “traditional holiday songs with favorite party tunes in a ratio of 3 to 10,” says Kobrin. Try one of these festive playlists:

• Up-Tempo Holiday Party Mix
• Mid-Tempo Holiday Party Mix
• Mellow Holiday Party Mix