Don't let all those splashy ads be the Grinch who steals your holidays.

Regardless of the size of your home or the age of your kitchen, you can host wonderful holiday gatherings as long as you plan your party based on the space you have. The key is to recognize the assets and limitations of your home and to plan your menu and socializing strategies around them.

If you have a large open kitchen, you might want to create a menu that will involve your guests in the food preparation process, whether that be simply sitting around a kitchen bar watching the preparation of the food, or actually inviting your guests to be a part of the process by bringing dishes that can be finished off at the party itself.

If your kitchen is small, plan your menu around pre- made or catered items that can be served in rooms other than the kitchen. Look at your furnishings in different ways so you can set up bar and food stations in areas such as the foyer or family room. You might have to temporarily remove some decorative items to accomplish this, but skirted tables, bookcases, sofa tables and buffets can all be called into temporary service for a party.

Be creative and remember that if you don't want your guests to end up congregating in your kitchen, you have to create other inviting spaces for them to enjoy. Perhaps it is a reflection of my Scandinavian roots, but I even put my porch to use for winter parties. You'll be surprised how warm and inviting an outdoor space can be in the winter when you provide a heat source (a fire pit or chiminea, for example), blankets and warm food and drinks, such as piping hot soups and hot toddies.

A successful party is one at which both the guests and hosts have a great time, so if you wish to be part of the party instead of apart from it, consider hiring help, even if it is your own teenagers to help with serving and bussing. That way you can be the common thread that helps keep conversations going and flowing.

Regardless of where or how you spend your holidays, I hope they are spent surrounded by family and friends and filled with good, relaxing cheer!