Now that some major Holidays are on the horizon, it’s time to begin planning for the years most festive celebrations. Whether you are having an intimate romantic dinner for two — or a 20 person cocktail party — it’s always nice to be prepared.
Even if you must prepare a checklist to ensure you have everything you need...it will be more than helpful.
• Guest list with rsvp’s
• Grocery list and recipes
• Beverages for all ages
• The right playlist on your iPod
• well groomed space to host in.
1. Gather together your flatware, linens, candlesticks and place settings. Make sure you have everything washed, cleaned — and most of all — the right amount for all your guests (don't forget some extras for multiple courses or dropped spoons!).
2. Place cards should always be considered when you’re hosting a large dinner party of mixed crowds. You would hate for your Aunt Helen to mistake your Boss for your best friend’s husband, right? It’s a subtle way to introduce yourself and often make good conversation starters.
3. A centerpiece to any table should be full of color, grab the attention of the room and most of all should be festive. I love this squash centerpiece above, with the clean white dishes and linens. Very elegant, classic and will warm up the table immediately!
4. When considering which beverages to serve, consider that not everyone prefers wine with dinner. Whether you’re serving a cabernet or a pinot grigio, it might be helpful to have champagne, a bottle of vodka or gin and some beer handy. For the underage , make sure you to supply sodas, juices, and when I was a kid I always did love a fancy Shirley Temple. Bottled water both flat and sparkling go nicely with orange and lime slices. Also consider these few things when preparing your menu; are there any vegetarian or vegan guests? Do any of your guest have food allergies? Will anyone need a kosher prepared meal? We don’t want anyone left offended, sick or starving at your party.
5. Breaking out a nice dinner set for special occasions always feels a bit more formal. It doesn’t have to be your great grandparents' china, but splurging on some “special” plates and glasses is worth it. Plus, do you want to serve your special holiday roast on the same plate you cook Monday’s spaghetti on every week?
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So important to prepare for a gathering so that guests (and you the host!) can truly relax and enjoy!!! Great tips!!! I made some suggestions on my blog as well (North On Harper)
So important to get hits on your blog, too!!! Great job!!!
Do as much ahead as you can so you are cool, calm and collected at the event. For instance, set the table two days ahead with serving pieces, thus assuring you have the right serving pieces to hand for each dish, and they all fit on the table.
I still can't wrap my head around why it seems everyone on AT serves alcohol anytime a guest is over. I only know one person in my life that makes alcohol pretty much the theme of his parties like this and I decline to go since I don't drink (medical reasons) and it's not really that much fun to see drunk people do stupid things.
great checklist! i hope there will be a post dedicated to centerpieces!
I still can't wrap my head around why it seems some people don't get the idea of drinking in moderation. We have plenty of meals (with and without guests) where someone or a few someones might have a drink with their meal or afterward, others might not have one, and it's absolutely not anything resembling an alcohol-centered party.
ChrisGal - if every time invited guests get drunk when they drink then maybe the need is to stop inviting drunks, other than that it is nice to offer a guest a nice drink (wine or cocktail) on these occassions because having guests over is a special occassion.
There's a great article in this month's (Dec.) Real Simple about how to host a stress-free holiday party. Here's the link:
http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas/stress-free-holiday-party-00000000047359/index.html
I should admit I don't drink alcohol since it interferes with health problems - but even if I did drink on occasion, why not serve up a nice batch of sweet tea instead of bottles of wine?
I can't afford to entertain, but I love those plates with gold leaves. Exquisite. sincerely, mary
A good tip might be...
If you're not a naturally relaxed host, don't jump through hoops to be perfect, you won't enjoy the experience. I was at a birthday party of mixed children and adults last weekend. The man of the house obviously loves and 'oul party, the woman of the house was stressed for the whole event. She home baked everything!! In the end she said " I hate those people who go to heaps of trouble and then complain they're stressed out, and here I am doing it!!!". We pointed out that she went above and beyond the call of duty and if she'd just done less, she'd have had a nicer time.
So my tip is...
Know your limitations as a host and keep it real simple... My family (Mum) doesn't like cooking much and thinks Christmas dinner with Turkey and all the trimmings is just too difficult, she cookes a mean steak though. Since then, our Christmas dinners have been much more relaxed affairs.