Whether it's an intimate gathering for four or a grand soiree for 100, entertaining during the holidays can be a formidable task.

But if you're not Martha Stewart, rest easy, there are some tried and true tips to get even the most socially inept hosts through an evening with the greatest of ease.

Ginny Masters, manager of meetings and business development for the destination management company Select Sites Group, said organisation is the key to a successful party.

"There are some things you need to know before you can get started like what it is that you are going to do. Is it going to be cocktails a dinner, a party.

"Once that is done you can treat it like a logical exercise and move on to deciding when you are going to hold the event, what time of day and who is coming. After that is decided, all the other things will fall into place.'' Ms Masters pointed out that different times of the day required certain foods and urged hosts/hostess not to rule out hosting a gathering at an unusual time of the day.

"Entertaining friends for breakfast can be great if you and your friends are morning people,'' she said. "And over the holidays most people are not booked for breakfast as they are for lunch and dinner.'' The event planner also suggested hosts/hostesses be sensitive to their guests dietary needs.

"I have noticed that people are becoming more health conscious. You have to be a lot more sensitive to people who have unique dietary needs, like low salt and no dairy.'' If you are entertaining at home and you lack a complete set of china or cutlery, don't worry.

"We live in a time that things don't have to be perfect. So if you don't have enough china, get two or three different styles and mix them up.'' And Ms Masters encourages people not to be bashful about calling in party planner pros and caterers if they need help.

"It's not nearly as expensive as people think and it can save a lot of headaches,'' she said. "And there are some great small caterers out there.

For the price you would pay for the groceries, they can whip up the food.'' She also urged anyone who will be entertaining over the holidays to remember one golden rule -- have fun.

"I am a real believer that you should have a good time when you entertain.

Don't stress yourself out to the point where you cannot enjoy yourself.

"Anytime you entertain you are going through some expense,'' she added.

"Yes, you want your guests to have a good time but you should too. If you are spending the entire time stressing yourself out, then it's not worth it.'' Perhaps no `private' venue in Bermuda has thrown more parties and dinners than Government House -- the official home of all Bermuda Governors.

Governor Thorold Masefield's right-hand man Capt. William White said knowing the number of people you will be entertaining was the first step in planning a successful event.

"The defining criteria is getting the invitations out and the RSVPs back so you know the number of people you will be entertaining,'' he explained. "Our invitations are sent out at least three weeks in advance, if we can, it depends on the event and how much notice we have.

The sooner you can get your invitations out the better.'' Once your number are confirmed you will know how much food and beverages needs to be prepared, he added.

"We are in a lucky position because a lot of the work required for throwing parties are done in-house,'' Capt. White pointed out. "We have a chef who will create and prepare the menu.

"We throw parties quite often so we get into a routine, it's quite a well rehearsed drill.'' But Capt. White did have some useful tips for the host/hostess to keep in mind on the day of their soiree.

"If you are having anything being delivered, try to have it arrive early,'' he said. "Have your liquor, tables or chairs arrive the day before. The less you have arriving the day of your party the better.

"The more you can have ticked off your list of things to do, the better.'' He also suggested that if you are having a bartender or caterers for your party, ensure that they arrive an hour earlier to get set up -- most caterers will already do this.

"Have everything set up an half-hour before your guests arrive,'' Capt. White added. "You don't want any panics a half-hour before, so give yourself that 30-minute window.'' If you are too busy to slave over a stove and lack the room to comfortably entertain in your home, then take the party elsewhere.

Intimate dinner parties can be held at a number of venues and restaurants around the Island, like the charming Lighthouse Tea Room in Southampton.

And just because the party is not at your home does not mean that it cannot be structured and have flair. You can still send your guests invitations, and place seating cards and a centrepiece at the table.