---
title: Holiday Entertaining Tips
description: As we quickly approach Christmas and the New Year, we wanted to share some holiday entertaining tips to reduce stress and make the most out of your gatherings.
image: https://blog.watsons.com/hubfs/Bars%20and%20Barstools/barstools-1022.jpg
---
- [Services](https://www.watsons.com/services)
- [Education](https://www.watsons.com/education)
[](https://www.watsons.com/)
- [My StoreCincinnati, OH Store](https://www.watsons.com/stores/) **Change Store?**
- **Change Store?**
- [Sign In](https://www.watsons.com/customer/account/login/)
- [Register](https://www.watsons.com/customer/account/create/)
**Search**
Search
[Advanced Search](https://www.watsons.com/catalogsearch/advanced/)
Search
[**
** ](https://www.watsons.com/)
[My Cart ](https://www.watsons.com/checkout/cart/) [My Cart ](https://www.watsons.com/checkout/cart/)
** My Cart**
Close
[](https://www.watsons.com/)
**Search**
Search
[Advanced Search](https://www.watsons.com/catalogsearch/advanced/)
Search
- [My StoreCincinnati, OH Store](https://www.watsons.com/stores/) **Change Store?**
# Holiday Entertaining Tips
Posted by [Watson's](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/author/watsons) on Dec 16, 2021 3:30:00 PM
- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)
The holidays are here no matter how you may be gathering to celebrate with friends and family this year (virtual, in-person, etc), it’s the perfect time to spread joy and happiness.
As we quickly approach Christmas and the New Year, we wanted to share some holiday entertaining tips to reduce stress and make the most out of your gatherings.
**Preparation**
The key to entertaining and reducing additional stress is to create a game plan you can work from. This avoids last-minute runs, forgetting essentials, and allows you to really identify what you want.
Set aside a time to plan and think about the following things:
- How many people are you inviting?
- Are you going to have a theme (winter wonderland, bells, sparkle, etc.)?
- Is this a formal sit-down dinner, a cocktail party, family-friendly party?
- What types of food and drinks do you want to serve? Make sure if it’s family-friendly that you have options for both adults and kids!
- Do you need additional tables and seating?
Once you have your game plan, you’ll easily be able to divide it up and make a schedule for when and where you need to get everything without all the stress!
***TIP: ***Prepare what you can ahead of time. Whether that’s food or decorations, the more you do upfront, the less stressful it will be the day before or the day of!
**Keep it Simple**
At the end of the day, people will notice your decorations, but everyone is really gathering for the company. Don’t stress out over every single detail and consider a more simplistic approach. Keeping it simple will also help your budget.
You may also want to consider a potluck-type holiday gathering, asking guests to bring a specific item. You can send them what you’d like them to bring and how many to ease the stress and again, keep your budget manageable.
**Serving Stations**
Depending on the style of gathering you’re hosting, determine how and when your food and drinks will be served.
For cocktail and hors d’oeuvres, make them easily accessible to guests as well as enough room for traffic flow so as not to create a crowd or long line. To do that, spread out your food. Use your [dining table](https://www.watsons.com/furniture/dining-kitchen/dining-tables) for larger platters and consider using a [sideboard or buffet](https://www.watsons.com/furniture/dining-kitchen/buffet-side-boards) for other foods or as a drink station. If you have a bar or island in your kitchen, those can also be utilized for serving.
Even coffee and [accent tables](https://www.watsons.com/furniture/living-room/accent-tables) can be used for serving, especially for younger kids who can’t always reach up high.
**Decorate**
When decorating, think of things you already have that can be used. Instead of a floral centerpiece, consider wrapping some empty gift boxes of different sizes and placing those on tables. Ribbon by itself can be used along with tablecloths and runners to add some sparkle or even to tie around cloth napkins. Flameless candles are a great addition to any decor and can be used year-round! Or string up some lights around a fireplace mantel or around serving tables to brighten your event.
If hosting a small, intimate gathering, consider adding personalized touches like nameplates. And don’t be afraid to get out the nice china and drinkware for a sit-down dinner to add more elegance to your evening.
Use what you have and then add where needed or wanted.
**Easy Clean-Up**
Set up multiple small trashcans or bins around the rooms so it’s easy for guests to dispose of garbage and so you don’t have one overflowing can! Place one next to each drink or food station and in other places where guests will be sure to hang out. Make sure you line them for easy removal of the bags and clean up.
When it comes to holiday entertaining and gatherings, the most important is the people you surround yourself with. For all your furniture and fun needs, [contact Watson’s](https://www.watsons.com/services/contact-us) and talk with one of our experts. From dining table sets and bars to sideboards, accent tables, and sofas, we’ve got it all to welcome guests and create a comfortable space to celebrate in.
Newsletter Sign Up
    
## Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get $15 off your next purchase of $75 or more when you sign up!
## Popular Posts
[Pool School Prize Winners: Day 3 (4/24/26)
](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/pool-school-prize-winners-day-3-2026)
April 24, 2026
[Read Now
→](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/pool-school-prize-winners-day-3-2026)
[Pool School Prize Winners: Day 2 (4/22/26)
](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/pool-school-prize-winners-day-2-2026)
April 23, 2026
[Read Now
→](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/pool-school-prize-winners-day-2-2026)
[Pool School Prize Winners: Day 1 (4/21/26)
](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/pool-school-prize-winners-day-1-2026)
April 22, 2026
[Read Now
→](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/pool-school-prize-winners-day-1-2026)
[The Hidden Costs of Cheap Indoor Furniture (and How to Avoid Them)
](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/hidden-costs-cheap-indoor-furniture)
September 30, 2025
[Read Now
→](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/hidden-costs-cheap-indoor-furniture)
[Luxury Hot Tub Features You Didn’t Know You Needed
](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/luxury-hot-tub-features-you-didnt-know-you-needed)
August 20, 2025
[Read Now
→](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/luxury-hot-tub-features-you-didnt-know-you-needed)
[7 Things You Should Never Do in a Hot Tub (And Why)
](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/7-things-you-should-never-do-in-a-hot-tub-and-why)
August 19, 2025
[Read Now
→](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/7-things-you-should-never-do-in-a-hot-tub-and-why)
## Posts By Tags
- [Spas and Hot Tubs (98)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/spas-and-hot-tubs)
- [Outdoor and Patio - Furniture (89)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/outdoor-and-patio-furniture)
- [Indoor Furniture - Living Room (58)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/indoor-furniture-living-room)
- [Pool - Above Ground Pools (57)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/pool-above-ground-pools)
- [Outdoor and Patio - Accessories (35)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/outdoor-and-patio-accessories)
- [Outdoor and Patio - Firepits (24)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/outdoor-and-patio-firepits)
- [Pool - Chemicals (23)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/pool-chemicals)
- [Spas and Hot Tubs - Supplies and Equipment (21)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/spas-and-hot-tubs-supplies-and-equipment)
- [Outdoor and Patio - Grills and Brick Ovens (20)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/outdoor-and-patio-grills-and-brick-ovens)
- [How to (16)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/how-to)
- [Outdoor and Patio - Umbrellas and Bases (15)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/outdoor-and-patio-umbrellas-and-bases)
- [Pool - Supplies (14)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/pool-supplies)
- [Spas and Hot Tubs - Swim Spas (14)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/spas-and-hot-tubs-swim-spas)
- [Games and Rec - Foosball (13)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-foosball)
- [Indoor Furniture - Home Theater Seating (11)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/indoor-furniture-home-theater-seating)
- [Saunas and Steam Rooms (11)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/saunas-and-steam-rooms)
- [Games and Rec - Pool and Billiards (10)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-pool-and-billiards)
- [Learn more (10)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/learn-more)
- [Pool - Equipment (10)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/pool-equipment)
- [Brand Spotlight (9)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/brand-spotlight)
- [Indoor Furniture - Dining and Kitchen (9)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/indoor-furniture-dining-and-kitchen)
- [Pool - Semi-inground Pools (9)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/pool-semi-inground-pools)
- [Games and Rec - Shuffleboards (7)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-shuffleboards)
- [Games and Rec - Arcade Games (6)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-arcade-games)
- [Games and Rec - Poker and Game Tables (4)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-poker-and-game-tables)
- [Home Decor - Accessories (4)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/home-decor-accessories)
- [Indoor Furniture - Bar (4)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/indoor-furniture-bar)
- [Games and Rec - Air Hockey (3)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-air-hockey)
- [Games and Rec - Dartboards (3)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-dartboards)
- [Games and Rec - Ping Pong and Table Tennis (3)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/games-and-rec-ping-pong-and-table-tennis)
- [Home Decor - Bar Accessories (3)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/home-decor-bar-accessories)
- [Fireplaces - Electric (2)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/fireplaces-electric)
- [Home Decor - Tableware (2)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/home-decor-tableware)
- [Ideas (2)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/ideas)
- [Insider (2)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/insider)
- [Life's Best Moments (2)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/lifes-best-moments)
- [Pool School (2)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/pool-school)
- [Home Decor - Rugs (1)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/home-decor-rugs)
- [Media Consoles (1)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/media-consoles)
- [Product Announcement (1)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/product-announcement)
- [new product (1)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/new-product)
- [sale (1)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/sale)
- [winter (1)](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/tag/winter)
[Show More](https://blog.watsons.com/blog/holiday-entertaining-tips#)
**Never Miss out on a Deal!**
Be the first to receive updates on new arrivals, promotions and special events
Cincinnati Store 2721 E. Sharon Road Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-326-1100
Change Store
- #### Find Us
- -
-
-
-
-
© 2018 Watson's - Life's Best Moments Start Here! All Rights Reserved.
[](https://www.watsons.com/)