The best way to take the stress out of entertaining is to prepare as much as possible ahead of time so that you are not doing all the work when your guests arrive. Everything from cooking dishes ahead of time to setting the table and sprucing up your entertaining space well before, will make things much easier. Consider ordering food already made if time is tight and you don't like to cook. Let guests help you. Enlist a friend or family member to help you set up. When it's time to clean up let guests assist. Sometimes our best conversations are at the kitchen sink. Most importantly, relax. Everyone enjoys themselves much more if the host is relaxed including the host.