The holidays are right around the corner and for many, that means gathering with family and loved ones. If you’re hosting a holiday dinner this year, it may be easy to feel stressed or overwhelmed – especially if it’s your first time hosting. However, with good organization and a clear plan, you can make this upcoming holiday meal as stress-free as possible.

1. The first step towards a stress-free holiday gathering is to plan ahead. Before the decorations go up and the grocery shopping starts, sit down and put together a plan. How do you want your home to be decorated? What recipes do you plan on cooking and what ingredients do you need for each? Are there any dietary restrictions in your family you need to work around? What should you make ahead of time and what needs to be made the day of?
2. Once you have your plan loosely organized, it’s time to start putting everything together. Stock up on any pantry items you’ll need beforehand so that you’re just getting perishables when it comes time for the final shopping trip. Put together any decorations in advance for easy set-up on the day of. Get your deep cleaning done a week before your big feast and just touch it up before your guests arrive.

By pre-planning and staying organized, you can eliminate a lot of the holiday stress. With a clean home and all the supplies you need on hand, day-of prep can take as little as an hour or two, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the company of your family and loved ones.

Sources: Familymint.com, Marthastewart.com