Start Clean and Keep it Clean: While cooking your big meal you will be amazed at how much easier it will be if you start with a clean kitchen, empty dishwasher, spacious countertops and a sink full of hot soapy water waiting for your dishes. This will help you clear messes out of the way quickly while you cook.
Let it Soak: Some after dinner dishes will just be tough and time consuming to clean. Let those soak while you enjoy time with family and friends. With some extra hot water time they will be much easier when you come back to them.
Keep a Cheat Sheet: That’s right, even a host or hostess needs a cheat sheet on-hand sometimes. Jot down such not-so-obvious details like where the china is stored, how to launder the linens, how to treat a red wine stain or remove candle wax from the table. That way, not only will you have the information on-hand for yourself, but also for all those kind people helping you out with the clean-up.
Recruit: Which brings up the next tip: recruit, recruit and recruit. Before the festivities begin, give each of the kids a small job they will be responsible for and when your friendly guests ask how to help have a project waiting for them. After all, everyone chipping in is part of the family atmosphere.