With the holidays in full swing, it’s time for us to hone in our entertaining skills! Today I’ve teamed up with Seven Daughters to share my Top 7 Holiday Entertaining Tips and Tricks to help prepare you for all of the holiday fun.

I cannot tell you how many parties I have attended that have missed a few key elements I’ve listed below. You don’t have to be a hostess pro, but keeping a few of these tips in mind will go a long way and impress your guests! Fake it till you make it, right?

1. Stick to 2-3 Colors: If you’re hosting a dinner party, it’s important to stick to two or three colors throughout the table scheme. It will look clean and pull the table together.

2. Avoid Tall Centerpieces: Whether you’re hosting four friends or a table of ten, it’s so important to create low center pieces to allow your guests to easily converse.

3. Create Ambiance: Candles, candles, and more candles! I primarily stick to white or ivory. A low-lit atmosphere with candles can give even a pizza party old glamour. My favorite holiday candle to-date is Nest Fragrances ‘Holiday.’

4. Create a Playlist: Preparing a playlist before the party begins is uber-important, you guys. Whether it’s Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas, I love creating a playlist that begins when the first guest arrives and doesn’t end until the last guest leaves. Who wants to worry about playing DJ all night anyhow? And you know, I love being the DJ. Click here to check out my favorite holiday tunes!

5. Don’t Recipe Search Day-Of: Trust me on this one – stay. clear. Parties that go off without a hitch are well thought out. Prepare food that can be refrigerated a day or two before. On the day of your party, you want to focus on last minute details and finishing the tablescape.

6. Send Formal Invitations: In the world of smartphones, it’s become second nature to text or email your guest list but please do yourself a favor, and do not get lazy. A handwritten invitation is never out of style! If that is not in the cards, Paperless Post has a great variety as well.

7. Set up a DIY Cocktail Station: Just like you don’t want to be the DJ all night, you most certainly don’t want to play bartender all night. Set up a bar cart or serving area where guests can make their own drinks. For a fun holiday cocktail, try Seven Daughter’s Bourbon Berry! Be sure to print out the recipe on a card so guests can create this fancy cocktail with the ingredients at their fingertips!

*This post is brought to you as a part of my collaboration with Seven Daughters wine as part of their Savvy Seven. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support lauren-nelson.com!