For many, the holidays are not just a time for celebration but also a rare opportunity to get together with loved ones you may not see any other time of year. If you’re doing the hosting, there are a lot of moving parts to consider—such as making sure the food comes out right, setting up the decorations, and ensuring that everyone is comfortable.

While there are always some things that are out of your control, you can take steps to create the picturesque get-together of your dreams.

Preserving Holiday Memories

Taking a family portrait is an important part of preserving memories for many families, but it can be difficult to get the ideal shot. Use this advice to take photos you’d gladly add to the holiday album—or send in your holiday card.

Dinner Is Served

A fork here, a glass there—if setting a proper table feels out of reach, don’t panic. Follow this guide for organizing the perfect holiday table, and get tips and tricks for incorporating decor and color schemes to complete the look.

Share these holiday hosting suggestions with friends and family.

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