BY KRISTA EHRET

As a first-time mom of a two-year-old, I'm quickly learning that kids truly make the holidays so much more fun. Everything to them is new and beyond exciting and that excitement radiates out to everyone around. One aspect that can become a bit more challenging with young kiddos in tow is entertaining. Here are some do's and don’t’s if you're planning on being the hostess with the mostess slash mom of the year this season.

Do's

Do: Get your dates set now. If you haven't already nailed down your party dates, stop reading (briefly) and do it immediately. Guests and babysitters get booked quickly, so it's important to be on top of it.

Do: Decide if you plan to host a kid-friendly family party or an adult cocktail event. Don't try to blend the two together. You're looking at two completely different vibes here and you want to embrace each for its individual fun.

Do: Go in with your friends for a group babysitter. The holidays are expensive. By hosting several children at the same house with a couple of sitters, parents are free to attend the party and also save a few dollars.

Do: Let the kids help prep for the party. They will enjoy being a part of the event, especially if it's one for their own friends.

Do: Decorate your home with kid-friendly pieces. I've now realized how much seasonal décor is breakable!

Don't

Don't: Plan to have a sitter at your house if you're hosting an adult party. This works for some types of gatherings, but unless you have a newborn, find lodging for the young ones somewhere else.

Don't: Limit yourself to one event. If you love your traditional boozy, tacky sweater party with friends, but also want to plan a fun day for kids, do both! Make the kid party a daytime event and then select a different evening to host your adult group.

Don't: Get stressed out. I know this is so much easier said than done especially when you're trying to prep for an event. However, kids pick up on these vibes and you want them to remember the holiday season for how much fun it was; not how tense and snippy mommy and daddy were.