With holiday party season approaching, I wonder if it’s time to attempt entertaining again… I think the last real party we had was when the twins were newborns and portable. Once we had more than one toddler in the house, party planning fell off our radar.

The House Beautiful, “101 Party Do’s and Don’ts” feature was quite the inspiration as it made me think about my own personal rules. I thought I’d post some of my favorites (a selection based on genius and/or entertainment value) as well as a few tips of my own. Let me know what you think!

Tips from the Experts:

Don’t use plastic.
– Jennifer Rubell, Artist/Writer

Don’t try a new recipe at a party.
– Tricia Foley, Designer/Writer

Let guests make their own cocktails. I have a few favorite recipes on cards, and all the ingredients on hand. People mix and shake and think it’s super fun.
– Paul Lowe, Food/Prop Stylist

The perfect number for a dinner party is six to eight. You want festive conversation, but not so many people that the conversations are always split up.
-Sarah Kate Gillingham-Ryan, thekitchen.com by Apartment Therapy

Keep hors d’oeuvres to one bite. No one wants to talk or kiss with a mouthful.
– Larry Laslo, Designer

Always, always make introductions. If you’re going to make a guest feel alienated, why invite them?
– Jessica Nell Graves, thelovelist.net

Always start with an empty dishwasher.
– Chesie Breen, Founder, clovermag.com

Seat guests next to someone they know and someone they’d enjoy meeting.
– Alex Papachristidis, Designer

People with big personalities are best in the center of the table. They can help carry on the conversation from that place.
– Michael S. Smith, Designer

Not everyone drinks alcohol. Have fresh squeezed juices and other delicious choices so you can mix a mocktail or two.
– Preston Bailey, Event Designer

Never use paper napkins.
– Judi Roaman, Shop Owner

Don’t expect guests to seat themselves – it’s your dining room, not Southwest Airlines. Placement is key to great conversations and something you don’t leave to chance.
– Madeline Stuart, Designer

Separate couples when seating a dinner.
– Monique Lhuillier, Fashion Designer

If you are having an elaborate dinner, then keep your hors d’oeuvres simple. And if you are planning an easy dinner, make your hors d’oeuvres a little fancier.
– Madeline Weinrib, Textile Designer

Glamorous informality is the name of the game. Dress up, even if you are serving hot dogs!
– Simon Doonan, Creative Director, Barney’s New York

Switch lamp bulbs to pale pinks, which make everyone look great.
– Karen Bussen, Event Planner

Don’t be stingy with your food and beverages. Like my old Italian grandma used to say, “I’d rather have lots of leftovers than have someone leave my party hungry.”
Frank Fontana, Designer/TV Personality

Serve an amazing dessert. Even the worst main course will be forgotten if it’s followed by a spectacular dessert. Extra points for making it yourself.
Michael Devine, Shop Owner/Textile Designer

Ever notice how guests love to gather in the kitchen? To disperse a crowd, place a bar somewhere in the corner of your living room and rearrange furniture to create a few conversation spots.
Cassandra Lavelle, Interior/Event Designer

My Tips:

Do your hair and make up early, and then touch up in the hour before the party starts. Don’t worry if you’re a little shiny from the rush of getting ready. That’s easily fixed and looks better than the five-minute hair and make up job you’ll end up with in the inevitable Eleventh Hour scramble.

Keep veggie platters small, interesting and easy to eat. They always languish next to the more exciting displays. Ranch dip that came with the platter is never as good as something like hummus and raw broccoli scares people with it’s tendency to get stuck in teeth.

Good food and a fun host will always outshine the little mistakes and omissions. If you are having a good time then so will your guests regardless of the behind the scenes tragedies.

Your Tips? (feel free to add as comments)

*All images from Martha Stewart and Nesting Newbies.