Entertaining Tips

ENTERTAINING TIPS

Food & Prep

Clean out the refrigerator to make room for additional food before you shop for your party.

Have a realistic amount of food. If preparing for a cocktail party, plan on serving three to five hors d’oeuvres per person/per hour.

Invite a friend over early to help with last-minute preparations. Having fun with a friend gets the party started even before the first guests arrive.

Intentionally save something for guests to do when they offer, such as open the wine, toss the salad, stir the risotto. People want to help and feel needed and/or wanted.

Creating a theme makes decision-making easy. For instance, serve simple Mexican dishes (taquitos, chips & salsa, a variety of enchiladas) or set up a taco bar for maximum guest involvement as part of a “Latin Holiday” theme. Decorate with holiday piñatas and ornaments. Play a variety of Spanish and English holiday music. Or, focus on a particular type of food such as great cheeses from around the world. Include hard & soft cheeses, a variety of complementary meats and even a fondue for guest involvement.

Select a menu that consists primarily (90%) of dishes that can be prepared ahead and served cold or at room temperature or can be heated just before serving.

Prepare all cold dishes, such as dips and spreads, at least one day in advance as their flavor typically improves over time

Select a variety of dishes for their diversity – cold vs. hot, creamy vs. crunchy, savory vs. sweet, spicy & rich vs. light & refreshing. Remember to serve a few vegetarian offerings

Place hors d’oeuvres throughout the room(s) to encourage mingling

When preparing a holiday turkey, cut off legs and remove back before roasting which will significantly reduce cook time and eliminate overcooking of some turkey parts. Roast and then boil neck, wings and back bones to make a flavorful gravy stock.

Creative presentation will provide a memorable experience.

* Select an ingredient from the dish with which to garnish such as a fresh herb sprig or lemon wedge.
* Finely chopped herbs, tomato or bell pepper will add much needed color to almost any dish without affecting the flavor.
* Consider creative serving vessels such as a hollowed-out red cabbage or bell pepper as a bowl for a cold dip

Narrow cocktail choices to keep things simple. Offer one signature holiday drink, such as a beautiful red pomegranate martini, along with one red and one white wine selection. If you want to offer a full bar, hire a bartender.

Little Touches

Light candles or place a vase of eucalyptus branches in each bathroom

Serve coffee with a candy cane or other holiday themed stirrer or select sugars in festive colors such as red and green