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Gardner Lifestyle Essentials.....Holiday Entertaining
Monday, October 01, 2007
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Does the idea of holiday season excite you or make you want to run away and hide for six weeks? If you’re like us, then you love knowing the season is upon you for plenty of social gatherings, both informal and formal. Organizing a holiday party can always be hectic, but we love knowing that we’ll be spending the holidays with family and friends and can enjoy the spirit of the holidays in a fun and social way. Do you enjoy cooking, but hate preparing? Or what about decorating but hate to cook? Never fear, we’re bringing you a few of our favorite tips to help you out in the kitchen, decorating, planning and preparing all of the details for your next big holiday party.
When first planning a holiday party, decide what type of crowd you want. This will dictate the size of your dinner and ultimately, your budget. If you plan to invite the whole neighborhood, or your extended family, a buffet is probably best. Be sure to group the food in a logical manner and have everything at your guests’ fingertips. Festive paper plates are great when entertaining a large crowd, and are easy on the wallet. If you want an abundance of conversation where everyone can chime in, then consider keeping the guest list smaller so that everyone can fit around the same table. Or perhaps for an adults-only party, consider a sophisticated cocktail party with heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. When deciding what to serve, think about your guests considerably. Today’s society has many dieters and vegetarians, so if you include some fat-free options or veggies, your guests will all be satisfied. We love the decorating as much as the cooking and think a stylish party is just as important as a yummy one. While wreaths are popular on the door at Christmas time, luminaries are great for any holiday. Just pour sand in small brown or white lunch bags and deposit a small candle into each bag. This lights up the driveway without being overpowering. Candles are another way to create ambience. Our favorite scents include cinnamon and vanilla, as they welcome guests into the home with a touch of sweetness.
If you’re inviting guests with children, be sure to keep holiday movies on hand, as well as board games and cards to keep them entertained. If you want to include them, bring the children into the kitchen to assist with cookie making or perhaps have someone teach them a craft that they can take home at the end of the night, such as a Christmas ornament or picture frame. Whatever your entertaining preference, we hope these tips will help you have a safe and happy holiday season.
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