Dinner party table setup Arranging a large event during the busy winter months is a common source of holiday season stress — even for a seasoned party planner. If you’re in charge of this year’s celebrations, there are a few secrets to success you can keep in your back pocket as you plan your event. From creating the right environment to ensuring everyone has plenty of festive fun, here are five tips to help you host the perfect holiday party.

1. Create a Good Flow

There’s nothing worse than a party where everyone stands around in an awkward silence, unable to break off into organic conversations or comfortably move around and mingle. You can avoid this situation by carefully selecting your furniture and the arrangement of your room to manipulate the flow of your holiday event. Review the space where you will host your holiday party. Take a step back, walk your space as if you were a guest, and consider how easy it is to move from one area to another. Spaces should flow together between open areas and cozy nooks, so guests find it easy to relax or enjoy lively conversation — depending on what they prefer. Move your furniture around to find the best layout for your space. Having a sectional sofa is especially helpful for recurring holiday party hosts, as they can be taken apart and rearranged for maximum flexibility.

2. Join the Party

Have you ever been to a party where you never once talked to the host? Chances are you’ve attended an event where the host spent the night running around refilling snack bowls, cooking food, and cleaning up behind guests — with not a moment to catch up with any guests. You can help your guests feel at home this holiday season by taking the time to join in and interact with them personally. Perhaps there is a shy partygoer who needs an introduction or maybe your guests have just been looking forward to spending some time with you over the holidays. If you’re too busy in the kitchen, these opportunities may go unnoticed and guests may become uncomfortable in your absence. Stock your party with food that can be cooked in advance, make sure snack bowls are big enough to withstand the test of time, strategically place trash cans — and then relax. Chances are, you’ll help your guests relax with you.

3. Spread Out the Refreshments

Once they enter your home, guests will likely aim to find refreshments before settling in. Because the refreshment area is often the first place guests gravitate to, it can easily become a bottleneck — no matter how well you’ve set up your party space. A great way to manage this issue is to spread out your refreshments into multiple areas. Add plates and cups on a table near the door, and set up multiple stations throughout the event space where guests can grab a refill. From charming coffee tables to more spacious side tables, you can use any surface to sprinkle refreshments throughout your holiday party. This keeps your kitchen or dining room table from becoming the focal point of the party while other carefully crafted spaces collect dust.

4. Add Some Optional Games

Forced participation isn’t fun, but optional entertainment can liven up a party and create memorable shared experiences. There are plenty of games that are not all-consuming but can provide guests with a natural way to build in conversation or turn the attention toward something new. For some easy, low-cost, and light entertainment, outfit a small table with a deck of common playing cards, simple board games, or a festive-themed puzzle that guests can contribute to throughout the evening. This is an effective way to bring together a group of your friends and family who may not already know one another and need a chance to bond.

5. Create a Variety of Opportunities for Conversation

Active conversations are the linchpin of a fun event. Because parties are often a mix of people who know each other well and those who start off as strangers, the trick is to create a space where guests can find the conversations that work for them. The draw of a comfortable sofa can help stimulate conversation and bring unfamiliar guests together. Offer up a few chairs that guests can move around to their liking, and design some areas that are standing room only. If possible, create both a large gathering area and a few smaller, more private spaces where guests can break off to talk one-on-one and really get to know each other. Holiday parties take a lot of planning. By implementing these five easy tips, you can make sure your guests feel relaxed, welcomed, and well-entertained. Take a look at The Back Store’s collection of furniture today to get your home ready for hosting the perfect holiday party.