A Guide To Hosting The Holidays

Steve Poses is a chef, caterer and author of "At Home," a guide to home entertaining. In his 35 years of experience, he has catered about 15,000 events.

WHEN PREPARING FOR A BIG EVENT, HERE'S A CHECKLIST OF WHAT TO DO:

1. Everything should revolve around what should be your primary goal: This is something that's going to be FUN for me.

2. Keep Steve's philosophy of home entertainment in your head: 'I am good enough as I am to throw a party in my home.' Remember, this isn't "Iron Chef comes to your house!" What's important is that you are opening your home to your guests; what's in your heart is more important than what's on your table.

3. Think about your party as early as possible and make a menu. You will want to spread out your tasks over time. (Your freezer is your friend!)

4. When looking at your total menu, plan out a shopping list. You want to make sure you get enough ingredients for all of your dishes in one shot. Be organized! Make a food list, an alcohol list, and if applicable, a list for exotic ingredients. (The internet is great for difficult-to-find items.)

5. Make a schedule of what you will do in the days leading up to the big event. For example, when will you shop? When will you cook each dish?

6. Make your mid-course corrections. It's okay to change your plans and scale back if you feel you've gotten too ambitious -- and don't forget, it's okay to ask your friends for help!!! Also, it's fine if you don't cook everything yourself; as Steve points out, there are some great prepared foods available today.

7. Think about your table. Do you have enough dishes? Do you need to ask to borrow your friends' place settings or platters? Do you want to decorate your table? Some suggestions are pumpkins, gourds, candles or flowers.

8. Set up your table and bar the night before. You can even cut up your bar fruit and put it in the refrigerator.

9. Make a list of everything you will be serving. Put labels on your items and stick them on your cabinets. You don't want to forget to serve anything you worked to hard to prepare! Pull out all of the platters and dishes you will need to use.

10. The day of the party (or the night before), clear your counters. If necessary, get a box and put all items cluttering your space (like that blender you never use) in the garage. If you still need more counter space, you may want to clear a cabinet and use that space.

11. Also, give yourself time to pull all the food from your refrigerator that needs to thaw out before being reheated.

12. Get your friends to help you!!! Remember rule #1: This is going to be FUN. You don't have to do everything. Get your friends involved by assigning tasks. (See list below.)

13. Throughout the evening, don't stack your dishes in the sink. Stack them next to the sink.

JOBS A HOST CAN DESIGNATE TO YOUR GUESTS:

-- "Prince or Princess of Pots": A close friend of the host who has agreed to arrive about 30 minutes early to help the host wash the pots and pans. You want to start your event with a clean kitchen.

-- The "Maitre d'" (AKA the "Greeter"): Generally the first guest to arrive. This is the person designated to welcome everyone and make sure they have a drink and have a place to put their coat.

-- "Music Director": Someone with great music taste responsible for making a playlist and running the music at the party.

-- "Staff photographer": Person in charge of documenting the event. This includes gathering everyone's email addresses and emailing photos of the event to the group.

-- "Wine Steward": In charge of pre-pouring the wine and water, seating and even initiating toasts.

-- "Server": Perfect job for a teenager. This is the person that helps the host serve the courses. This person can also help you remove the dishes. Prep that person; tell them where the dishes and glasses will go.

-- "Head Bartender": Mixes the drinks and makes sure everyone's glass is full.

-- "Sous Chef": Helps the host in the kitchen.

-- "Master of Leftovers": This is the person who distributes the leftovers. This person is responsible for the Tupperware and divying out the take-home food to the guests.

TIPS FOR GUESTS:

1. Do not arrive early. An early guest is not a welcome guest. Arrive on time or a few minutes late.

2. Stay out of the kitchen. It's not a place to socialize.

3. Don't bring something that the host has to do something to. If you bring flowers, bring a vase and make that part of your gift.

4. Offer to help! Ask the host if they'd like you to be in charge of any of the jobs listed above.