Want a few pats on the back from your family or coworkers? Considering having your holiday party catered in your home, in your office or at a special location. There are even catering services for the discerning homemaker who wants to spend special days like Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas with their loved ones, instead of in the kitchen.

Many caterers offer set traditional menus for the holidays at special costs and, of course, almost any order can be customized to your family's traditions. It's easy to find a holiday caterer using LocalCatering.com.

Here are some tips to get you started planning your holiday party:

* Make a list of what must be done in advance and after the party takes place.

* Decide what kind of menu you want as far ahead as possible. You need to nail down whether you want a sit-down or a buffet-style dinner. Discuss every course with your caterer from hors d'oeuvres, to appetizers, salads and dressings, breads, entrees, vegetables, desserts and beverages.

* Utensils and napkins should be available everywhere there is food and/or drink. Tie your silverware and napkins together with festive ribbons and a candy cane or a sprig of cinnamon.

* Buy paper napkins personalized with your name or initials. If it's a company party, use your corporate logo.

* Decorate tabletops with spray-painted gold pinecones, holiday ornaments and candles. In a work setting, be sensitive to different religious cultures. Don’t focus specifically on Christmas, unless that is appropriate to your business.

* For parties in the home, place cloves, cinnamon and orange peels on a baking sheet in the oven. Set on a low temperature for an hour; the heavenly aroma will fill your house for hours.

* Serve mulled spiced cider from a large pot on your stove for a warm winter drink with a holiday fragrance.

* Another great idea for a family holiday party or a party for co-workers hosted in the home, is to line the driveway with luminarias and decorate the front of your house and lawn to set a celebratory mood.

Family Holiday Parties

Make the party interactive - ask guests to make a personalized ornament for your tree. Use childhood photos as place cards for a sit-down dinner. Share family recipes with your guests in a personalized family cookbook. Have a special family tree with small pictures for ornaments.

Holiday Parties For Your Neighbors

These are usually best done as an Open House. Invite your neighbors to take part in a community activity that everyone will benefit from, in lieu of gifts. Make it clear to your neighbors that everyone is welcome, that it is a time for all the meet and make the neighborhood stronger. Be inclusive. Don't limit the party to one religious orientation unless that is appropriate to your neighborhood.

Holiday Parties For Co-workers

So you got the big job – organizing the holiday party for your office. Believe it or not, the old standards are still the best. Organize a "Secret Santa" giveaway or ask your co-workers to bring funny gifts for a grab bag. The holidays are a good time to meet the families of co-workers – it will build morale and everyone likes to show off their kids.