Christmas carries the weight of expectation and pressure, so while it should be a happy time spent with family and friends, it can easily slip into feeling stressful and labor-intensive. Which is a shame, because when Christmas goes well, it’s a wonderful celebration and a chance to gather with loved ones, have fun and forget about daily life.

If you are hosting the day this year, a mix of planning and managing expectations can really help ensure it’s fun and memorable. So before you deck the halls or order the turkey, read these 12 tips for hosting the day and enjoying it too!