It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but hosting large gatherings can sometimes make it a stressful time too. To add more cheer and less fear this season, here are five tips to take the stress out of hosting family and friends.

Prep ahead
Take care of as much organizing and preparation as possible before the day of the event. If you’re having a sit-down meal, set the table a day or two ahead. Print personalized place card settings using your home printer to add a classy touch.

Don’t worry about cleaning too much in advance – your guests are not coming to see if you’ve dusted the furniture thoroughly. Focus on the areas that attendees will use the most – including the bathroom. After the party is the time to do a deep clean.

Exercise mindful menu preparation
If you’re serving food, you want to ensure the food is fresh and that you’re considerate of dietary needs to prevent any illnesses. When sending out the invitations, include a request to be notified of any allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Use ice packs and warming trays to keep cold things cold and hot things hot. Anything perishable should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Outsource the eats
Hosting is a lot of work (and can be costly), so don’t feel obligated to prepare an entire multi-course meal from scratch. Consider serving heat-and-eat frozen appetizers, ordering takeout or even hiring a caterer to take care of everything. Another option to help feel less overwhelmed is to host a potluck. Remember to share any food restrictions you learned with your caterer or guests.

Delegate as much as you can
Beyond bringing items for a potluck, don’t be shy about asking guests to help out with other party planning. Ask your musician friend to create a curated playlist, get your designer cousin to help out with decorations and designate someone to be the party’s paparazzi who will be responsible for capturing candid memories.

Share happy, tangible memories
Make the event truly memorable by creating an onsite photo station for your guests. With a printer like the new HP Envy 6100 series, you can print professional-quality images at home through an easy-to-use app. Guests can connect through Wi-Fi and send photos from their phones directly to print in the moment creating lasting takeaways to cherish long after your hosting duties are completed.

Find more solutions to help with your party needs at hp.ca.