Whether we like it or not, the holiday season is upon us. Holidays are meant to provide us with an opportunity to celebrate or remind us of important values, but for many, it is a time when professional needs, family expectations and social obligations collide. Our days will be filled with planning parties, attending charitable events, organizing formal dinners with family, filling shopping bags, overeating and stressing out. Gloria Bessey is finding herself struggling to balance work, family and planning for the holidays. “I feel this huge pressure to do everything and am just so overwhelmed,” she says. “I love having events and parties, but I make everyone crazy with stress.”

With the added pressure of the recession, we are all left with reduced personal and professional budgets. Gloria is thinking about cancelling her annual holiday party, but she knows it will lower moral and make employees concerned about their next paycheck. This year, she is asking if she has to do everything herself. “Is it possible to host extraordinary parties with minimal effort on my part?” she asks. Believe it or not, it is possible. An entire industry exists to help people plan memorable parties and they work behind the scenes so you get all the credit. Austin has an abundance of professionals to make sure your food, drinks and atmosphere are a smashing success.

Candice Briggs, owner of Plush Events, emphasizes that people should get creative this year. “If you have a reduced budget, dream up ways to leverage your family or employees. If you are having a party onsite, for example, have an employee holiday decorating contest and give a prize to the team that creates the best holiday décor.” Most party planners conceive, organize and execute memorable affairs for corporate events, weddings, birthday parties and more. The event planning profession has boomed in the past two decades because it blends creativity with analytical skills so nicely. You could use an established firm or find someone who wants to break into the industry and is willing to negotiate because they need references.

Parties have a way of motivating us to get off the couch, especially if we know mouth-watering food will fill our bellies. Sherry Gordian, owner of Chipped Ham and Champagne, believes that catering involves much more than delivering and serving food. She said you need to “know how to plan menus, pair appropriate foods and arrange food in an eye-pleasing way. Artistry and efficiency are key in the catering business and knowledge of specialty foods or decor can make the difference between a good event or a spectacular one.” Gloria said this year she wants to call one of the culinary schools to give an inspiring chef an opportunity to create some great party dishes.

Gloria likes to impress friends with her wine selection, but she doesn’t have a lot of wine knowledge. “I spend so many hours wandering the wine aisles, trying to make heads or tails out of an overwhelming number of wine selections. There has to be a better way.” Gloria is thinking about hiring a wine connoisseur for her parties so she has the opportunity to discover new wines and flavors, not to mention the satisfaction that comes when they turn out to be popular with her family and friends. Wine connoisseurs often source new wines from all over the world and recommend the ones to add to the wine list. Sometimes they get involved in creating new wines, commenting on the label design, and entertaining guests with historical information.

As a fellow working mother and holiday entertainer, I understand Gloria’s challenges. Seeking help during the holiday season might be just what I need to reduce stress this season. Whether you need a party planner, caterer or wine connoisseur, remember that every professional has their own signature style and price structures. “I was surprised to learn how affordable it can be to have a nice affair,” said Gloria. “I will have help this year in making my parties a great place to have fun and decompress.”