Holiday Hosting Survival Guide

The busiest retail day of the year--and plumbers seem to fair well, too. After you have had your fill of Black Friday deals today, time to move forward and plan the next holiday party. Too soon? Nope. Besides retaining the "hostess with the most-est" (or, ahem, "host with the most") crown takes preparation!

Here are a few ways you can prepare now or resurrect the party from disaster should it occur.

Move aside mushy turkey dressing, lets talk about the next holiday gathering. From kitchen mishaps to toddler meltdowns, here are some tips to help keep it joyful.

Clogged plumbing

Being proactive can bypass any holiday plumbing issues. First, while cooking in the kitchen make sure to wipe out the grease from pots and pans then dispose into the garbage. Second, having a plumber check the slow drains beforehand can prevent the last minute clogs. Finally, add 1-ply toilet paper to grocery list. Might not be such a popular idea but with the extra guests and high usage, it can only help lighten the load.

Removing wine stains

First, save yourself the worry and place a runner or rug in the high traffic walkways. If a spill occurs in a non-protected area assess the surface area, then blot and absorb as much of the liquid right away. For carpet spills there are many different solutions but the most common seems to be using one part baking soda and water. Let it dry then vacuum up.

First aid

Double check the medicine cabinet for heartburn and headache supplies. And it never hurts to have fizzy drinks on hand (7-Up, ginger ale or club soda).

Don't forget the furry friends. Fido might want to gobble up the scraps and spillage but be mindful of foods that can be poisonous for dogs. The list is a little long and includes grapes, onions as well as chocolates.

Kitchen fires

If you do not have a fire extinguisher on hand, toss baking soda over the flames of small grease fires. Especially with the amount of things to do, it is easy to get side-tracked and forget about the buns in the oven. Grab your kitchen timer and set it--but don't forget it. And if you have burned a dish, turn on the fan and open the windows and light a candle as well.

Overcooked meal

I realize there is an over abundance of food at most parties already, but if you are cooking from scratch, having a few back-up options never hurts. Also, check ahead for local stores or Chinese restaurants that might be open during the holidays and jot down the number--just in case.

Other notable mentions

First time hosts: Keep it simple. Getting too creative and experimenting with recipes can be trouble unless you know your way around the kitchen. Stick to the classics.

Duplicates: This is bound to happen. For gifts, make sure to get a gift receipt from the cashier. And for outfits, have a back-up picked out ahead of time so you don't get mistaken for being the Doublemint Twins.

Entertainment: If the movie you rented is a sleeper, A Christmas Story runs endlessly during the holidays. Set the DVR to record to have in queue.

Extra guests: No more chairs? Don't panic. Decorate an extra space or corner near a coffee table by your sofa or sitting chairs. As guests roam around to socialize, everyone will forget the seating arrangements or lack there of.

For last minute holiday home repairs, baby powder can quiet a squeaky wood floor. And if you run out of paper towels, crumbled up newspaper works well on glass and windows.

Phew--now that your prep work is done, sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of wine and a movie before the festivities start. Got other holiday party tips?