Come Together

Don't try to organize a potluck on your own. Enlist at least two friends and divide the duties. Good planning now means less work — and more fun — later.

The Decor

Whether your potluck is in a barn, a church basement, or a dining room, frame the party space with evergreen garlands, which you can hang several days beforehand without sacrificing their freshness. Just follow the architecture of the room (the beams or the moldings, for instance) and hammer small nails in strategic spots, then drape the swags over them. Use extra greenery to decorate light fixtures and to create makeshift bouquets in galvanized buckets. Then hang clear twinkly lights over the boughs, place white votive candles on tables and windowsills, dim the regular lights, and you're walking in a winter wonderland.

1. The Tablecloth
A bold table covering is a dynamic, efficient way to decorate a party space and to hide humdrum furniture. Look in fabric stores for bolts of inexpensive cloth, such as this candy-cane stripe ($11 a yard from B&J Fabrics, 212-354-8150), which can be rolled out and cut to fit — no hemming required.
2. The Invitations
Make sure they specify what guests should bring in addition to a dish for the buffet. This one, pinned to a $1 potholder from Target (and mailed in a padded envelope), asks partygoers to bring drinks, plates, cutlery, and a favorite Christmas CD so there will be plenty of Bing, Ella, and Yo-Yo Ma.
3. The Goods
No family's contributions should require a small U-Haul. Instead, a standard tote bag, such as Utility Canvas's Red Tartan Market Bag ($85, 212-680-9200), is the goal. The hosts should provide plastic bags so that dirty dishes and flatware can be carried home without soiling the inside.
4. The Welcome
Guests will feel more at home if there's a place to hang their hooded parkas. The Fol-D-Rack from the Container Store ($49, www.containerstore.com) is easy to assemble and can be used in a laundry room when the party's over.

The Buffet

Since many people have food allergies or other dietary restrictions, it's important to accurately identify all the dishes on the buffet table. The hosts should provide cards and pens so that guests can write out signs that say, for example, "Jambalaya (Contains Shellfish)," "Winter Green Lasagna (Vegetarian)," or "Green Beans With Pesto (Contains Nuts)." The hosts should also provide masking tape and Sharpies so guests can label the bottoms of their bowls and casseroles. That way, there's no confusion when it's time to pack up.

1. The Committee
Even arranging a cheese platter is easier if you have help. When planning a potluck, divide the to-do list: One person takes charge of invitations and the location, another is responsible for decorations, and the third organizes the buffet and the bar supplies.
2. The Easy Out
Guests who don't like to cook or who don't have the time can bring a big tossed salad (made from prewashed greens bought at the supermarket) or cheese and crackers. You'll need about 1 pound of lettuce and 1 pound of cheese for every 10 guests.
3. The Bar
To prevent logjams, set up the bar far from the food table. The hosts need to provide plastic glasses (for wine, water, and soda), sturdy paper cups (for mulled cider), corkscrews, bottle openers, labeled ice chests (chill wine, beer, and soda separately), a coffee urn (to heat the cider), and plenty of cocktail napkins.
4. The Cider
Hot mulled cider appeals to both children and adults. Combine 1 gallon apple cider, 3 cinnamon sticks, and 2 tablespoons whole cloves in a coffee urn (minus the brew basket) and heat. Cups can be garnished with cinnamon sticks and clove-studded orange wedges.

The Snowman

Everything needed to build this snowman can be found in the supermarket.

Oranges or clementines

Toothpicks (for holding the oranges together)

Peppermint sticks (for arms and nose)

Cloves (for eyes)

Licorice string (for scarf)

Vanilla wafers (for hat base)

Peppermint candies (for hat top)

Vanilla frosting (glue for hat)

Ziploc bags (cut off a tiny corner and use as pastry bags to dispense frosting)

1. The Extra Guests
Well-behaved dogs may be invited to the party (depending on the location), and they should be encouraged to wear festive dress. Here, Binker wears whimsical Rein Dog Antlers ($5, www.costumesinc.com).
2. The Centerpieces
Edible, colorful, and natural centerpieces can also be economical. Mix oranges or clementines from the supermarket with peppermint balls bought in bulk ($1.60 a pound from Economy Candy, 800-352-4544) in big clear bowls, jars, or lidded glass canisters.
3. The Gifts
At the end of the evening, what remains of the centerpieces becomes party favors. If they're not too tired, the children can be entrusted with dividing the fruit and candy into cellophane bags ($12 for 100 Clear Corsage Bags, B&J Florist Supply, 212-564-6086). Adult supervision may be required for tying the ribbons.
4. The Kids' Activities
Children (and even some adults) tend to get bored at large, grown-up parties, so it's wise to plan a few activities for them. A craft project will keep them focused and quiet, at least for a few minutes. They can use the same oranges found in the centerpiece to build the one-of-kind snowman detailed above.