Organize a Holiday Craft Party

Organization expert Peter Walsh says nothing kicks off the holidays better than great company, a glass of mulled wine and the chance to whip up a batch of fabulous homemade presents. Turn up the music and let the (reindeer) games begin!

First, select a date early in the season before people get booked up. Set it up as an all-day event so guests can drop in on their way to other holiday functions.

Send out invitations a month in advance. Ask guests to bring evergreen branches (for wreath-making), a dish to share and any project they wish to make.

Tip: Stand evergreen branches in water in a tub or garbage can outside.

Decide which projects you want to make. Pore through magazines, surf sites and steal ideas liberally for easy, quick projects.

Tip: Keep projects simple enough for even noncrafty people to participate.

Set a budget for materials, ingredients and decorations based on a projected head count. If you're watching your own bottom line, include something in the invitation along the lines of "Please contribute $20 per person for materials." Or assign each guest a project and ask him or her to bring materials for 12 people.

Start purchasing materials and supplies months in advance to take advantage of good deals. Keep your supplies list with you and check items off as you find them.

Earmark a set of shelves in the garage or a spare bedroom to stash your supplies. Tape a copy of your master list to the shelf and check off items as you purchase and store them.

Set up stations for each project. In order to give everyone plenty of room to work in, put stations in various rooms on the main floor. Stock each work area with ample materials and supplies (scissors, glue guns).

• For cooking projects, fill large (labeled) mixing bowls with the main ingredients and add a serving spoon to each. Have pounding tools (plastic-wrapped flashlight, food can), cellophane packets and boxes of canning jars nearby for speedy assembly.
  
• For craft projects, ask one guest at each station to show newcomers how to do that particular project. Stow additional materials for each project under the table.
  
• Set up a separate station for making labels and wrapping packages. Stock with raffia, holiday-patterned fabric cut in circles (for layered jar lids), boxes and bags for hauling loot home, blank tags, a hole punch, gift wrap, ribbon, tape, glue and scissors.

Make your gifts one of a kind with handmade or personally designed gift tags. Incorporate a digital photo of your kids or of the finished project on the front, put any instructions on the reverse, and add a personal message inside. Print out as many as you have need for.

Tip: If you hold an annual event, incorporate some new ideas into the mix along with old favorites.

Assemble fast and easy gifts from the kitchen that your friends and family can cook months after the holiday feasting has tapered off.