Hosting a New Year's Eve or New Year's Day party this holiday season? My entertaining ideas will help you stay organized while creating a simple and welcoming atmosphere and most importantly - enjoy the maximum amount of time with loved ones.

last-minute touches
Never dress a salad until the last minute! Never take the ice out early. Never pour Champagne that isn’t needed, it’s a waste.

mingle and mix
Consider a buffet rather than a sit-down dinner. This allows guests to get to know one another better. It also allows for staggered arrival times. And this way, if guests have other plans, it still allows them to come just for drinks or after for coffee and dessert. It also takes the pressure off the cook!
 
the cocktail party
Instead of having a full-blown dinner party, try a cocktails and tapas party. This retro tradition also allows you to start and finish the evening a bit earlier. I keep it simple by baking figs with grated Manchego (Spanish cheese), or doing mini grilled cheese appetizers and mini flautas with mint dipping sauce. Also just some fresh-cut veggies with various dipping sauces is nice too for a healthy alternative.

say it with flowers
When decorating, rather than doing a big arrangement of flowers, use small glass jam or perfume jars with simple daisies or other wild flowers, which look homier around the table and room. I prefer to scatter rose petals in rich colors around serving dishes and use little tea lights in Moroccan tea glasses from flea markets.

guest list
Try to make the guest list varied and interesting by inviting a mix of singles, couples and age ranges. Or invite guests you know have similar interests, so they’ll enjoy meeting and sharing their common ground. Always think about how well the group will go together.  
 
dress code
Be super specific about whether the attire is casual or formal. It’s fun to have themes like a white party or an '80s party but keep themes easy for folks to accomplish. We don’t all keep medieval armor in our closets!!

old world tradition
Invite friends for an old-fashioned Saturday or Sunday tea party at around 4pm.  Make sweet little plates of nuts, fruit, cookies and pastries (even store bought is fine!) and some very simple tea sandwiches to go with a selection of 3-4 teas. Again, you’ll have the morning to prepare, and the evening to recuperate!
 
brunch can also be a party
Invite a few friends over for brunch rather than dinner. Don’t be afraid to stand at the stove and make eggs or pancakes to order. This can be a relaxing way of getting together in the daytime too.