Are you thinking of getting back into the swing of holiday entertaining? There's no better time than the present. Consider this your crash course in Family-Friendly Party Hosting 101. If you can get through the festive season, you can throw a great all-ages party any time of year.

Here are 6 essential tips you need to know.

TIP #1: CASUAL BEATS FORMAL
Sure, dress up if you want to. But keep the tone of the party casual if kids are going to be there. (And if you don't want them there, say so right on the invitation.)

Avoid formal sit-down dinner parties because:

• Guests with babies or toddlers will probably be late due to their offspring's wonky holiday nap schedule;
• The smallest guests won't stay at the Kids' Table – they'll be on Mom's lap at the Big Table in no time (disrupting conversation and making it hard for Mom to eat);
• Parents may have to leave the table to assist with potty needs or to change diapers.
  

A casual get-together (think: sit-where-you-want, buffet-style eating, and no formal "start time") just makes life easier for everybody. Issuing invitations via phone, email, eVite, Facebook or any other non-paper method is faster, more eco-friendly and more economical.

TIP #2: GO OPEN HOUSE
One of the easiest ways to ensure you've got a full house is to take a laissez-faire approach to the start time. Tell guests to arrive anytime between, say, 5 and 11 (or whatever you've determined is "last call"), and most will show up--although they may not all be there at the same time.

TIP#3: FOOD -- ACCESSIBLE NOT ESOTERIC
There's a reason why supermarkets are filled with heat-and-serve packs of hors d'oeuvres: Cooking from scratch takes a lot of time and effort, and there's nothing worse than tracking down Quebec foie gras, searing and painstakingly assembling slices and pairing it with a berry confit -- and then seeing guests making run after run on the pits and hummus instead.

So for big parties, keep it simple. Hit your local sushi restaurant for a party platter; whip up some low-effort, crowd-pleasing dips and fresh veggies; and check out the assortment of heat-and-serve options at your local supermarket or ethnic food shop. Mini samosas, breaded shrimp, puff pastry rolls and the like are affordable, accessible yet channel party-perfect appeal.

If you're a foodie, save your chef-approved menu for a smaller get-together with likeminded buddies – on a night when you've hired a babysitter.

TIP #4: FOOD -- POTLUCK ISN'T A BAD WORD
Don't let a tiny budget prevent you from merrymaking. Consider hosting a potluck (see our Potluck Guide for how-to's). As host, take on the biggest dish or the booze. Potlucks are actually undergoing resurgence, so consider yourself trendy, not cheap!

TIP #5: CLEAN THE BEDROOMS!
Chances are, one or more of your new-parent guests will have to find a quiet, private room to retreat to at some point, either to nurse or to soothe an upset child. The last thing you want is for them to walk into a room strewn with dirty clothing and an unmade bed.

TIP #6: KEEP KIDS ENTERTAINED
Although the tiniest guests will be close to their parents, most bigger kids will need to be entertained – unless you want them under your feet all night. So set up a room with art supplies, toys and even a TV and DVD selection. It's up to you whether you want to provide food: If choking is a concern with smaller children, have them venture into adult territory for sustenance.

Hiring a babysitter can provide extra peace of mind; otherwise commit to checking in every so often. You can also assign "room monitors." Putting someone in charge means they'll come to you if Jack has a splitting headache or Hannah's locked herself in the bathroom. Emphasize safety, not tattling.

Avoid micro managing the kids' party though. So what if they want to watch TV or wrestle instead of play Scrabble or collectively assemble the gingerbread-house kit you so thoughtfully provided? Let 'em entertain themselves the way they want: The more fun the kids have at their own party, the more freedom the grown ups will have to enjoy theirs.