Host a Holiday Open House

Nothing kicks off a party quite like bubbly. Display bottles in an ice-filled champagne bucket and offer guests a glass upon arrival. Add a few cranberries to each flute as a colorful nod to the holiday season.

Since there's no set meal time, a buffet piled high with seasonal flavors is your best bet. Guests will enjoy nibbling on fresh fruit, honey ham with hot, homemade biscuits, spiced olives, caramel-topped brie and tons of holiday cookies. Keep an eye on the table and replenish often. Get our recipes for: Caramel-Covered Brie and From-Scratch Buttermilk Biscuits.

Since guests will come and go throughout the afternoon, a gift exchange isn't the most practical option for this party. So, instead encourage their spirit of giving by asking guests to bring wrapped gifts to be donated to a local charity. Display the pretty packages where everyone can see them so the festively wrapped gifts become part of the party's decor.

The perfect cheese plate couldn't be simpler to create, yet will garner oohs and aahs from impressed guests. It's all about purchasing great ingredients and assembling them artfully. Choose 3 to 4 different cheeses that vary in texture and flavor, then garnish with your favorite fruits, nuts and preserves. Set out for guests to enjoy upon arrival, or incorporate into the buffet.