How to Host a Holiday Party in Southern Highlands (Without Leaving the Neighborhood)

Somebody always ends up organizing the holiday dinner. If that's you this year, here's how to make it easy — on you and on everyone driving in.

1. Pick the date early. Friday and Saturday nights in December go first. Weeknights are easier to get, a little quieter, and often the better party — everyone's home by a reasonable hour.

2. Know your headcount, roughly. You don't need final numbers to ask. At Nudo, 12 to 20 guests fit at one long table in the dining room; for bigger groups we'll open up more of the room, and full buyouts for up to about 150 guests are available on select dates. Tell us your best guess and we'll plan around it.

3. Go family-style. Plates passed down the table get people talking in a way individual orders never do. Antipasti to share, pastas and pizzas down the middle, dessert to close — no one has to study a menu, and nobody leaves hungry.

4. Stay close to home. Ten minutes from the house, no Strip traffic, no valet line. The best holiday parties are the ones people actually show up to — and get home from easily.

5. Plan the little things. Bringing a cake or a few decorations? Tell us when you inquire. Need a vegetarian plate or a kids' option? Same.

6. Make the gift easy. If your group does a gift exchange — or you want a thank-you for the team — a Nudo gift card brings everyone back in January.

When you're ready, send us the occasion, date and headcount. We reach out within one business day.