She may be the woman behind the most talked-about parties in Las Vegas, but MGM Mirage Events Founder Cheryl Fish has a soft spot for simple pleasures. This season, she gives the gift of great advice for staging the perfect holiday gathering in the welldecked halls of your home.

Story: "When planning your festivities, start with what you already have to work with," Fish recommends. The party's color scheme should complement your home's interior, bringing in no more than two additional shades. Does your dining room lean toward blue hues? "Incorporate green and ivory for a cool holiday look," she suggests, "or add warmth with purple and red." If you are surrounded by neutrals, you may want to take advantage of the latest holiday hues she calls this year's hottest: pretty petal pink and rich chocolate brown.

Once you've decided upon the palette, it's time to turn your attention to the center of the room. A long, rectangular dining table is the perfect setting for a seasonal feast. Dress it up with a velvet tablecloth, running a piece of lighter colored silk lengthwise down the center. Add a festive accent to matching silk napkins by wrapping them with ribbon or bead strands. Accessories make all the difference! Tuck in a fresh holly sprig as a finishing touch.

Of course, no holiday party would be complete without beautiful centerpieces. In order to keep conversation flowing, stick with containers that are no more than 14 inches high. One option is to gild small terra cotta pots with a coat of gold spray paint, fill with silver- and gold-painted gravel, and insert clusters of five flat-topped gold taper candles, bundled with velvet ribbon. Place the five pots in a row down the length of the table to create a warm, even glow.

If the personal touch is your signature style, try your hand at découpage centerpieces. Begin by brushing white glue thinned with water onto rectangular containers, then apply holiday greeting cards sent by family and friends. Slightly tearing the edges of the cards first will add an artistic touch and help cards stick. Brush over with another coat of glue to seal and then varnish over for shine.

With your table plans set, it's time to think about festive food and libations. For a dinner party, traditional favorites like leg of lamb, Cornish game hens and prime rib not only "signify warmth," Fish says, but they require little tending as they roast inside the oven, giving you a chance to enjoy a well-deserved cocktail with guests. And what drinks are there at your holiday bar? As always, our expert notes, "Martinis are very chic, lots of fun, and people love sipping them from sexy martini glasses." Holiday twists on the classic include the bright green "Appletini" garnished with a cinnamon stick, and the decadent Chocolate Martini accompanied by a chocolate-covered peppermint wand.

Since 'tis the season, forget about catering to diets at dessert time. "A beautiful sweets table is a must for holiday parties," Fish insists. Present sugared fruits, miniature pastries and, of course, chocolate treats of all kinds on a tiered buffet constructed easily by draping yards of velvet and shimmering fabric over boxes in graduating heights.

Along with satisfied taste buds and fond memories, every party guest loves to take home a token of good times. Festive mementos include splits of champagne (Moët Minis) accompanied by a gift tag wishing guests a joyful New Year. Or, you can develop photos taken at your fabulous event and mail them to guests in decorative, diminutive frames.

"Yes, planning a party is hard work," our expert says truthfully, "but running a tight ship will ease the burden considerably. Being organized is the key to holiday entertaining." Before you begin haunting your local craft store or hunting down the perfect pumpkin pie recipe, "Create a checklist and schedule that contains everything you're going to do for the party so you can handle the details in ample time."

In particular, make sure invitations-either custom-ordered, or printed on your home laser printer and dolled up with velvet ribbon to look like a custom job-go out four weeks prior to the party, preferably with specialty holiday stamps. In the two next weeks, set out gorgeous gilded baskets filled with artificial frosted fruits and vintage-style ornaments for an Old World European atmosphere, or set rustic logs on gathers of plaid flannel and accent with holly leaves for a cozy, traditional look.

"However you prepare for your perfect affair," our expert notes, "remember that doing a holiday party isn't about budget-it is about the passion and fun of entertaining." Holiday parties-just like the spectacular events she creates daily at MGM Mirage properties-"are a celebration of relationships and an opportunity for generosity."