The Stress-Free Holiday Party Plan

Step 4: Work Some Behind-the-Scenes Magic

Rent a coatrack. It beats having guests pile jackets on your bed. Check party-rental sites. Coatracks cost about $20, and many times hangers are included. Put the rack in the entryway against a wall.

Soak dirty dishes. Fill a large plastic bin with warm, soapy water and keep it in the kitchen. Toss in used dishes during the party.

Clear the air. “Crack a window open to circulate fresh, cool air, then adjust as the party heats up,” says Kobrin.

Keep prepared food warm. “A 200-degree oven works as a warming drawer,” says Kelsey Nixon, the host of Kelsey’s Essentials, on the Cooking Channel. This also frees up counter space and provides insurance that your food won’t burn if you forget to take it out.