Tips:

• Set a buffet in tune with the holidays by playing off traditional Christmas colors. Wrap flatware in generic white napkins, and tie with red ribbon. Drape plaid fabric over the table for a festive runner. Simple topiaries add some green.
• Indicate on your invitations that food will be served buffet-style so your guests will be sure to come hungry.
• Consider the age group of the guests attending the party. If lots of children are expected, go ahead and have the lights on the tree before everyone arrives so the difficult tasks are completed.
• Separate ornaments into different piles, and place kid-friendly ones on trays or in bins for the children to hang. Heavier and breakable ornaments can be kept aside for the adults.
• Your guests won’t expect a fully decorated home, but help set the mood by playing Christmas music softly in the background and lighting a fire if you have a fireplace and the weather is chilly.
• Before setting your tree in the stand, it’s a good idea to lay down a piece of sturdy plastic or vinyl tarp to protect the floor from spilled water or scratches. A tree skirt or any piece of fabric can be draped around the base of the tree to cover it.
• To keep your tree fresh and green longer, slice a 1-inch-thick piece off the end of the trunk before bringing it inside. This will allow the tree to absorb water more readily.
• Don’t place the tree near a heat source, such as a heating vent or fireplace. This will dry out the needles, causing them to wilt or fall off much more quickly.
• Assemble the chocolate sauce and spice mixes the night before the party to save time. Be sure to keep the sauce in the refrigerator until the party begins.