Some people are born to entertain, but the rest of us appreciate some counsel.  Patch talked to several local interior designers—women who have made a career out of turning houses into warm, inviting homes—to find out what the professionals do to create that perfect party atmosphere. 

Although each had her own tips, most designers agreed on a few basics: 

• Stash day-to-day clutter. Baskets of toys, knick-knacks on tabletops, newspapers, remotes, vitamins on the counters. 
• Make sure you have enough chairs, tables, glassware, linens. If you don’t, rent them. 
• Seating is critical. Set up chairs in twos and threes throughout the party space. Get rid of extraneous furniture for the night.
• Set up a bar in a place that draws guests into the space—in the back of the room. Consider a signature drink for the party. Don’t forget juices or sparkling waters for designated drivers.
• Get your powder room guest-ready. Extra TP and hand towels should be easy to find.

Whether you’re hosting a buffet or a sit down dinner, these ideas can add some grace or ease (or both) to your festive fête.

Laura Weiner of Studio R hosts a large sit-down dinner every Christmas Eve. She says she tries to prepare whatever she can ahead of time because “everything takes longer than you think it will.” Weiner gets up early in the morning and takes a trip to Union Square Green Market to pick out some unusual flowers. “I don’t mix many flowers, but rather stay with one or two and evergreen branches," she says. "Sometimes I might use clementines or pomegranates on their branches. You never know what you will find.”

She also likes to make sure there are some special desserts for the children. If they’re set up at a separate table, Weiner might decorate with a centerpiece made of tinsel and Hershey Kisses or colored candy canes. “I love having pretty Christmas candy in bowls all around the house," she says. "The kids love it. Parents, not so much.”

Once there is ample water and wine on the table, Weiner makes sure she has a few people to help her plate the food and bring it to the table. Her mottos: “Never skimp on food. And, games are golden. They’re great for after dinner and before dessert.”

Tracey Grossbach of ThinKinG Design has several tips for moving and mingling. “If you don’t want people to congregate in the kitchen, be sure to set the food out elsewhere, including the appetizers," she says. "Turn on every light in the rooms that you want people to be in. You can drive traffic yourself by walking people into rooms and sitting down with them for a few minutes.”

Melissa Engel of Melissa Engel Designs said she likes to offer up "more of less." When she decorates for a party, Engel chooses a few simple items and presents them in quantity. “I like groupings of at least three when repeating decorations.  And think sparse," she says. "Table flowers can be done beautifully (and inexpensively) when edited down to a single stem repeated in small vases.” 

Engel uses the same philosophy for the meal itself. “Consider serving the main course in several of the same dishes across the table so everyone can reach them—family style. Peasant or rustic food—like paellas or couscous dishes—work great like this." She likes to keep things interesting, but simple: bowls of fresh apples or clementines dotted across tabletops as ornamentation. Or helium balloons with glittering strings hanging down among the guests. 

Gina Stigi of By Design Interiors entertains often and has it down to a science:

• Skip the coat rack. Rather than have guests trying to find their coats piled on the guest room bed, empty your front closet  (sans hangers) and put your coats in the guestroom. Stigi pays her kids $.50 per coat to hang for guests.
• Turn down the heat. When the oven is on and there are lots of people around it can get warm. “People get sleepy when it’s too warm,” she says.
• Buy bulk candles and stemware from a catering supply company.  Cases of inexpensive wine or champagne glasses will last you for many years.
• Make a music playlist that lasts at least four hours.
• Replace your bulbs with pink light bulbs to give guests (and décor) a rosy glow.
• Set up your coffee maker or a large urn early on, so all you have to do is plug it in. Also, consider a dessert station, so people can indulge whenever they’re ready.
• Staff at the end. If you’re going to hire someone to help and you can only afford a few hours, have them come towards the end, for cleanup. 

“I like to transform the feeling in the house for a party,” says Weiner, “make it a little more magical.” Candles go a long way for creating an intimate atmosphere and so it is no surprise that everyone Patch asked considered them a staple. As Weinter summed things up, “You can never, ever have enough votive candles.”