Many of the same "rules" apply to hosting parties as were listed
for holiday meals for the family. Do what can be done ahead of time and ask
others to bring a dessert are two of those things.
Consider pampering yourself for one day and have a cleaning person or
team come in so that in addition to everything else you will be doing,
at least you won't have to be scrubbing the house with all the other stress.
Buy pre-made appetizer trays from your deli instead of
spending hours either preparing or cutting all those things up for the tray.
Don't be afraid to use paper plates and cups even if you
think it wouldn't be "suitable" for the people on your guest list.
Theirs won't be the hands washing all those dishes, after all. If it is
important to you to have nice looking serving plates and cups, there are many
companies now who make impressive decorative dinnerware that gets discarded
after use.
Last, but perhaps should be listed first, is to ask yourself if you really
want to host this party or these parties, or if you are just feeling obligated
for some reason. Go ahead with plans only if it is something that you truly are
looking forward to and will enjoy. Also remember that your co-workers and PTA
friends may get along just great . . . does it really require two separate
parties?
Decorating and Cards
When it comes to decorating the house for the holidays, remember that you do
not need to put out every decoration you ever bought or made every single year.
Decide which to bring out and the others will be fine in storage until their
time to shine arrives next year. Owning five thousand twinkling outdoor lights
doesn't really mean that they need to all be used every year.
When it comes to addressing Christmas cards, by all means buy your cards as
soon as they are put out into the store (or better yet, buy them earlier
online!) and get them addressed. Don't seal them, however, in case you will
want to add a letter or personal note when it is time to mail cards. Writing
those letters will be much less stressful if the cards are already signed and
addressed early.