Holiday hosting comes with plenty of joy—think good food, great company, and festive fun—but let’s face it, it’s also a lot of work. From planning the guest list and menu to decorating and deep-cleaning your home, the to-do list can feel endless.

Here’s the upside: with just three weeks of smart prep, you can breeze through the planning and focus on what really matters—enjoying the night with your guests.

This easy-to-follow checklist takes the guesswork out of party planning, helping you stay organized, stress-free, and ready to throw a celebration your loved ones will talk about for years. You’ve got this!

Three Weeks Before: Your Party Planning Kickoff

• Create Your Guest List

Hosting a large cocktail party? Invite up to 20% more people than your space can hold—chances are only 70–80% will RSVP “yes.”

• Pick a Theme (Optional, but Fun!)

A theme can add flair to your party, but it’s not mandatory. If you go for it, now’s the time to brainstorm and gather or DIY the decorations to match. Need ideas? Check out theme inspiration online.

• Send Invitations

Paper invites are classy, but digital options work just as well. Choose the method that suits your relationship with the guests—whether it’s an e-vite, text, or quick phone call. Just make sure to send them early since holiday schedules fill up fast.

• Plan Your Menu

Choose recipes you can prepare ahead of time to avoid getting stuck in the kitchen during your party. Think make-ahead appetizers or quick desserts. Jot down a prep timeline for each dish and create a shopping list. Need help? Place orders with your deli or bakery now.

• Secure Extra Hands

Lighten your load by hiring help or enlisting friends and family. High schoolers or professionals can assist with cleaning, serving drinks, refilling the buffet, and keeping things tidy. Or ask a trusted guest to arrive early and help you set up—it’s teamwork that makes the dream work!

Two Weeks Before: Prep for Party Perfection

• Clean and Launder Tabletop Items

While it's not absolutely necessary to do this two weeks out, tackling it early will help keep things calm. Take the time to clean any crystal, china, and silverware you'll be using, and wash and iron your napkins and tablecloths. Double-check that you have enough of everything—silverware has a way of mysteriously disappearing!

• Create Your Playlist

Set the mood with music that’s upbeat and long enough to carry your party through. On average, a song lasts about 3 minutes, so aim for about 20 songs per hour to keep the vibe flowing.

• Round One of Grocery Shopping and Cooking

Stock up on any non-perishable items early, and start preparing dishes that can be frozen and reheated later. Just make sure the ingredients are freezer-friendly to save you time later!

One Week Before: Final Prep for a Flawless Party

• Give the House a Deep Clean

It’s time for a thorough cleaning! Vacuum carpets, dust baseboards, and make sure areas your guests will see—like kitchen appliances and the guest bathroom—are spotless. A deep clean now means you’ll only need a quick touch-up closer to the party.

• Set the Stage

Arrange the furniture in a way that promotes easy movement and flow for your guests. Create designated spaces for drinks, appetizers, or desserts, and make sure everything is easily accessible. Hide anything that could get in the way or that’s too precious to risk, and clear out any unnecessary paper clutter.

• Check the Lighting

Don’t forget to check your light bulbs! Make sure to replace any flickering or dead bulbs so everything is well-lit and welcoming.

• Stock the Bar

You don’t need a full-on home bar, but make sure you have enough to keep the drinks flowing. Aim for about three bottles of wine for every four guests and plan for three to four cocktails per person at a two- to three-hour cocktail party. For something extra special, prepare a signature cocktail and make a large batch so guests can serve themselves!

Three Days Before: Time to Finalize the Details

• Decorate

It’s finally time to bring the party vision to life! Set up streamers, arrange candles, and position any other decor you plan to use. If you want decorations that last for years, opt for timeless pieces you can reuse. And, if you have a pet prone to knocking things over, it’s best to wait and decorate closer to the party.

• Set Up Clean-Up Stations

Accidents happen, so be prepared! Set up a few clean-up stations with salt, Wine Away (for red wine stains), club soda, and rags in convenient spots around your home. That way, when spills occur, you’ll be ready to jump into action.

• Designate a Spot for Coats and Shoes

Make space in your coat closet for guests’ coats and shoes. If you need to clear out some room, move your coats to a bedroom closet for the day. No closet? No problem! A simple coat rack (available for as little as $10 at Target or Amazon) works just fine. If you’re a shoes-off household, set up a mat or boot rack to keep things organized.

• Finish Grocery Shopping

It's crunch time! Go through each recipe and create a detailed shopping list of all the items you still need. This will help you avoid running around last-minute on the day of the party.

• Make a Cooking Schedule

Take a moment to plan out your cooking timeline. Work backwards from when the party starts, and think about oven space. If several dishes need to go in at once, try preparing some of them ahead of time and reheating them closer to the party to avoid any cooking chaos.

One Day Before: Get Everything Ready

• Set the Table

If you're hosting a sit-down meal, it's time to set the table. Need a refresher on proper table settings? Here’s how to do it. For a buffet-style gathering, set out the serving dishes, as well as plates and cutlery for your guests, so they know where everything is.

• Finish as Much of the Cooking as You Can

Wrap up any baking or freezing that can be done ahead of time, and marinate or set aside ingredients that need to rest overnight. If there are any veggies to chop, do it now and store them in the fridge. Tomorrow, you’ll be so glad you did all this prep!

Day of the Party: The Final Countdown

• Quick Clean-Up Blitz

This is the home stretch! A quick wipe-down of countertops and tables should do the trick. Don’t forget to check the bathrooms—make sure there’s enough toilet paper and hand soap for your guests.

• Finish Up Cooking

You’ve made it this far! Finish off any last-minute baking, grilling, or broiling. You’re almost there!

• Place the Chairs

Who needs a perfectly seated crowd? Fewer chairs will help your guests mingle and keep the energy flowing.

• Set the Stage with Apps and Drinks

Out come the room-temperature snacks—chips, dips, and crackers. Save the cold stuff for right before the action begins.

• Welcome Your Guests Like a Pro

You've done the hard work, now it’s time to bask in the glow of your success! Let your guests arrive and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to plan a party?

It all depends on your guest list! Smaller gatherings can be planned in a month or two, while larger events might require a year of preparation.

• What are the must-haves for a party?

First things first—decide on the location and your guest list. Once that’s settled, it’s all about the fun stuff: invitations, food, and entertainment!