1. Decide how much you want to spend. Most people have a budget in mind when it comes to organising an event and a party at home is no exception. Ultimately your budget will influence the style of party you host, so it’s important to decide early on what level of cash is available.

2. Choose your theme. If you’re working with a limited budget keep it simple. Ensure the dress code is more informal and suggest guests ‘bring a bottle’ on the invites. Pots of curry or chilli with French/garlic bread are always popular, cost-effective food options… just remember to include a vegetarian alternative for non meat-eaters. If however, you have a more elaborate theme in mind for your party which will require props and backdrops to create the desired effect, make sure you source them prior to sending out the invitations. Christmas is a busy time and you’re not guaranteed to be able to get what you want, when you want it.

3. Check availability of any entertainers, DJ’s, caterers etc.

4. Set the date.

5. Create your guest list. Be practical when it comes to numbers, if you don’t have a lot of space keep your numbers down. There’s nothing worse than not being able to move from room to room.

6. Send out your invitations – preferably at least 2 – 4 weeks before the party!

7. Finalise the menu. Be realistic with your menu choice and the time you’ll have available to prepare the food. If you’re not a budding Jamie Oliver don’t attempt anything too fancy. Order any bulk or specific food/drink items you may need at least 1 week in advance (allow additional time for any items that your supplier wouldn’t normally stock.

8. Plan a walk through as if you were a guest. Where will they park their cars, put their coats etc. Where will the drinks be served from, will you need a smoking area, what background music will you play?

9. Ensure you have adequate supplies of serving platters, crockery, cutlery, napkins, glassware, ice, lemons, corkscrews, loo rolls, clean handtowels etc.

10. Plan, plan and plan! Don’t leave everything until last minute. There’s no point spending the day of the party in a blind panic because you’ve left all the cleaning, shopping, food prep etc to the last minute. The more you plan ahead the more relaxed you’ll be on the day.

Most importantly – enjoy the party! Try and make yourself as available to your guests on the night as you can – at the end of the day, it’s you they’ve come to see.