(BPT) - Hosting a holiday meal for friends and family can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. You can impress your guests and still enjoy your gathering without breaking a sweat (or the budget). All you need to do is follow these four expert tips to simplify prep and cleanup, so you can join your loved ones in celebrating the season.

Create a festive, inviting party setting

Your home decor can set the vibe for the party and a few simple festive touches can make guests feel at home. Pick a color scheme that fits your space and the tone you want for the party. For example, metallics, like a mix of gold, silver and cream, can give you a luxurious, modern look, while soft neutrals can create a sense of coziness and relaxation.

Layer your table to add warmth and interest. Try a textured table runner or tablecloth, some on-theme napkins, and a festive centerpiece such as a mix of florals and pinecones. Placing a few candles around your home and adding some greenery goes a long way to make your home feel even more warm and inviting.

And it's the little things that add another level of special - think fun and festive glassware, decorative name cards, or even a sprig of greenery tied around your napkins.

Pro tip: Set your table the night before so that day-of, you can relax with your guests.

Prep ingredients ahead of time for stress-free prep

You may be cooking the holiday meal, but that doesn't mean you have to spend the whole day in the kitchen. Consider prepping ingredients ahead of time to cut back on day-of cooking stress.

Cut, chop or slice vegetables, fruits and other produce ahead of time and store them in Hefty food storage bags. Similarly, you can combine veggies or meats with a marinade in a bag, seal and refrigerate until you're ready to cook the dish the next day.

The next time you're at the store, pick up a couple of boxes of Hefty Press to Close Gallon Storage Bags. These press-to-close storage bags feature a secure double zipper that snaps closed, so you can hear that your food has been securely sealed. Thanks to the bag's expandable bottom, you can easily fill it with your prepped items. The next day, all you have to do is take it out of the refrigerator and dump it into a pan, pot or slow cooker.

To plan even further ahead of time, try Hefty Press to Close Gallon Freezer Bags, to prep ingredients or meals days in advance - leaving the day before the party free for details like setting up the decor and last-minute errands, instead of cooking.

Serve your holiday meal buffet style

Instead of portioning food onto every dish or placing food on the table, set up a separate table in the dining area, so guests can serve themselves. A buffet-style setup takes another task off your shoulders, and it gives your guests the power to pick and choose their own food and portions.

Without entrees and sides taking up space on the dining table, you'll have more space for decorations and elbow room for your guests. When they're ready for seconds, they can get up and mingle in line.

Send guests home with delicious leftovers

Now that dinner is done, dessert's been served, and your guests are filing out, send them home with leftovers so they can continue to enjoy the holiday meal at home. This tip saves you cleanup time and space in your fridge and freezer.

Don't worry about getting your food containers back. Instead, leave out food storage bags, so guests can store their own portions of their favorite dishes from the night.

For desserts like cookies or candies, offer your guests Hefty Press to Close Extra Large Sandwich Bags. For the main dishes and sides, make sure to leave out Hefty Gallon Storage and Freezer bags that have the strength and durability to safely store and transport larger portions.

Pro tip: Leave out markers for guests to write their names and what food is in the bag. You can even provide holiday-themed stickers or labels for a seasonal touch.

Host smarter, not harder

This holiday season, don't just host, use these tips to host like a pro, wow your guests and enjoy the holidays.

Be sure to check out Hefty Press to Close Storage Bags at your nearest Walmart and at Walmart.com.