Christmas will be here before you know it - which means now is the perfect time to start organising that Christmas bash or gathering. Yet even with sufficient time to plan a Christmas party, many party hosts and hostesses tend to feel overwhelmed with all the arrangements that need to be made - from food and drink to music and entertainment.

However, you don't have to let stress take over your party planning this year. With just a few tips on festive party planning, you can organise a fun, creative, and lively party this holiday season - without the stress.

There are many ways to facilitate the holiday party planning process, one of which is to simplify the actual party. Instead of attempting to throw a large catered event, consider hosting a wine and cheese party, or perhaps a cookie baking party. You can even combine various party themes - for example, a tree decorating and cookie baking party, or a mulled wine and Christmas movie party - to ensure a fun, activity-filled evening.

Most people will want to attend your party to enjoy other guests' company amid a fun and lively setting - so there's no reason to stress yourself out with a high-fuss event. You'll also want to think about how many people you want to invite to your party. If you're feeling overwhelmed at the mere thought of having to look after a big group of people, consider inviting fewer people. After all, you want to be able to enjoy yourself at the party too.

Another way to ensure your party is both fun and stress free is to ask for help from some of your guests. For instance, if you're throwing a wine and cheese party, ask your guests to bring either their favourite wine or cheese. Likewise, if you're planning to throw a cookie-baking bash, suggest that each guest bring at east one type of cookie decoration. You might even want to enlist the help of some of your friends or family to help you set up for the event, as well as to clean up afterwards. Having just a bit of extra help can make all the difference when it comes to hosting a stress-free holiday party.

Finally, try to make your party as interactive as possible - that way, you won't have to worry about introducing everyone individually, or about any guests feeling like they don't know anyone.

One idea is to arrange for a "Secret Santa" gift exchange, with Secret Santa names randomly picked and assigned a few weeks before the party. There are even various games you can play in exchanging the gifts, helping "break the ice" at the party.

Another great way to encourage guests to mingle is to ask everyone to show up in Christmas costumes. With all the creative costume ideas guests are likely to come up with, everyone will be mingling in no time.

With just a few simple organisational tips like these, you can ensure your Christmas party is both fun and stress free this year.