Tips for a very smart cocktail party

William MacDonald is a Toronto designer and cocktail party aficionado who hosts two Christmas parties annually — one for about 40 to 50 guests and a smaller one for family on Christmas Day. Here are few of his best tips for hosting the perfect party.

1. Having help needn’t be overly expensive. Hire a neighbourhood teenager or local babysitter to handout appetizers or take coats. Ask your helper to wear dark pants and a white shirt to lend a note of formality.

2. Move your furniture to encourage circulation. Make sure there aren’t too many comfy corners, or guests will plunk themselves down and stay there all evening. In very large homes, taking the doors off their hinges can increase flow.

3. Don’t blow your entire budget for flowers on one large display. Instead, create tiny, perfect bouquets in pretty glasses or small vases, and place them throughout the house (don’t forget the powder room). Let nothing go to waste — use branches cut off the bottom of the tree to fill out your arrangements. In a pinch, go outside and cut a few sprigs off a juniper or cedar tree.

4. Place tea lights in mismatched or old crystal glasses and place them in groupings to create pools of soft light. (Avoid perfumed candles — many people have allergies to synthetic perfumes, and the fragrance can interfere with the palette.)

5. Don’t worry too much about how well people from different parts of your life will mix and mingle. After all, they already have something in common that they adore – you!

Read Vicky's On the House blog. Get more great decor and entertaining tips at Yourhome.ca's festive guide.