2. Enlist elves.
4. Bring on (then freeze) the figgy pudding.
Let's face it, many dishes taste just as good or better when prepared ahead of time and frozen or simply kept in the fridge until they're ready to serve. Save the last hours leading to your event for recipes that will taste much better freshly made and/or hot out of the oven.
It's likely unrealistic to expect yourself to single-handedly master all the cooking, cleaning and mingling your event will involve. In the spirit of the season, consider hiring younger family members to help with the more grueling tasks - then paying them with Christmas shopping money.
3. Deck the halls simply.
Inexpensive dollar store items and lots of red and green finger foods lend a festive mood to the decor and kids love to help. Best of all it doesn't require hours to set up and when its over most of it is disposable.
5. Rudolph as remedy.
Weariness and/or a bad mood can be hard to sustain when you're playing festive, upbeat holiday music people have been singing along to since they were kids and the kids love learning the songs too.