Help! There are 24 people coming and I have dog fur everywhere.

American etiquette expert Letitia Baldrige died recently, and it is the end of an era.  Ms. Baldrige was known as the “doyenne of decorum.”  What she truly espoused was kindness and making others feel at ease. That advice will keep us all in good stead for holiday entertaining.

Entertaining at any time is stressful for me. I don’t like to clean, I’m disorganized, I love to eat, but can’t much cook and I have a white dog that sheds her weight in fur on a daily basis. If you are like me and have worries about getting through the holidays or you just want to have fun when folks drop by, the Iowa City Public Library might just be able to help.

You can’t go wrong with anything from Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa. A good party is not about the food," says Garten, "it's about the people." Her “Barefoot Contessa Parties!“ will ensure that your next party is a fabulous one, regardless of your guest list.  Garten offers tips to reduce stress by providing recipes that are make-ahead and uncomplicated as well as ideas on how to make your home welcoming to all.

Where do I begin?  That's the question we ask when thinking about throwing a party – and for many of us, that's the question we end with, too. The idea of entertaining friends and family in our home sounds fun, but the details – the specifics of planning the party, making the food, and playing hostess can be overwhelming, (and don’t forget the fur).  Kimberly Kennedy’s “The Art and Craft of Entertaining” provides all the information and inspiration you need to plan, organize, and carry out a successful no-stress event.

“You’re So Invited: panic less, play more, and get your party on” by Cheryl Naijafi had a title that drew me right in. Naijafi inspires hosts to infuse their own personal style, humor and whimsy into any occasion. In “You're So Invited” she shares her fresh approach to entertaining to get you planning your next, or maybe your first party, without fretting or fussing.

And if you want to throw caution to the wind, borrow Amy Sedaris’s “I Like You.” Read it for laughs, but exercise caution in following her advice.