Having the family over may not feel like Fa la la la la and Happy New Year when you have to get your house ready for the company and commotion. Yet, the holiday season is filled with friends, family, and food, so we wanted to provide you with a few ways to throw an AMAZING party in your beautiful home while still maintaining some sanity. Here are a few time-tested tips to help you get through the holidays and hopefully enjoy them even more.

Make a List and Check it Twice

You and Santa have a few things in common this year, but thankfully it’s just the Christmas list and rosy cheeks. But seriously, there’s nothing that can make you feel crazy than not having a list. It’s easier than ever when you have a smartphone, too. Open up the notepad, and start making notes about the menu, the decor you still need to purchase, and the gifts that you need to buy. You can email yourself a copy to keep on hand, and then start doing and erasing! Before you know it, you’ll have the whole list done and it will be time to enjoy the holidays with family.

Get a Head Start

Take a look at your list from the tip above, and think about your menu. If there is anything that you can make ahead and freeze - do it! This will take the immediate stress off of your day and make everything feel like a breeze. Soup and stew is a great holiday/winter food. The items generally freeze well and can be thrown into a crockpot that morning. Quiches, tarts, and pies also freeze well and can be purchased pre-made (or made ahead and frozen) to save you some heartache. Before you know it, it will be time to party and you’ll only have to purchase fruit and veggies and warm some things up.

Keep a Stock

If you really want to make the holidays easier, keep a stock of drinks and snacks on hand to grab on the go or serve at minutes notice. For drinks, keep sodas, mixers, hot cocoa, coffee (regular and decaf, and plenty of tea on hand. For snacks, you can go wrong with crackers, cookies and mixed nuts. You can even toss the nuts in maple syrup, bake them until their caramelized and you’ll have a very special snack.

Decking the Halls

You don’t have to go above and beyond when decorating your Lake of the Ozarks home. Even just a simple bowl of lights or vintage ornaments in an extra punch bowl can make a striking statement on the table. If you have extra vases, you can put some Epsom salt in the bottom, add some ornaments and a pretty bow - and you have the perfect centerpiece for your bar or table. Need to add some Christmas joy to your outdoors? You don’t have to light your entire house to show a little Christmas spirit. A simple wreath on your door, a few potted evergreens with ornaments, and maybe some garland around the posts on your porch can do wonders. Keep it simple and enjoy the beauty every time you come home.