Any party is incomplete without some refreshments. If the occasion calls for something lighter than a sit-down dinner, we still want to impress with whatever we serve. If you have extra funds and a lot of time on your hands, you can make the spread as elaborate as you want. But if you are like most busy housewives with a career and a budget to consider, you will have to get smart in preparing for your guests.
When you are juggling work, raising children, and then entertaining guests, you will not have enough time in the kitchen. The trick here is to make the most out of the time you do have and work smarter, not harder.
The key to making entertaining simple and still fun is looking for ways to make all the arrangements easier. A few minutes saved here and there will add up and you can make it work by being wise about doing your preparations. These are just some tips to give you ideas on where you can save time:
- If you are making a family gathering, such as a birthday party or a celebration of a personal event, such as a leaving party or welcoming Uncle Bill who is visiting from Australia, you don't need to set up a whole table for a sit-down meal. Make a buffet. That way, you can put out a range of foods and let people eat what they want. It is more relaxed and much easier.
- A big platter of vegetable strips and homemade dips always get the job done. Slice fresh vegetables into bite-sized strips and serve alongside bowls of assorted dips. The usual carrots and celery can be joined by zucchini and jicama. Dips can be the usual Thousand Island, Caesar's, or a simple vinaigrette. Not only are fresh vegetables healthy, but depending on the way you arrange them, the entire thing could serve as a lovely centerpiece.
- Serving home-made baked goodies will take your party up several notches. Make a lasting impression by ending the evening right with cupcakes. For something so simple to make, cupcakes leave a huge impact especially if you take the time to decorate them. In addition to the usual frosting and icings, you can go for a snowman cupcake, cupcakes topped with nuts or dried fruits, or simple fudge chocolate. You can literally use anything as cupcakes are very forgiving.
- Use disposable items. These days, disposable cups and plates are no longer made from plain white paper or plastic. Some disposable items even look more realistic than the real thing. They come in all sizes, colors, and textures, and can make your buffet table look surprisingly elegant. And the best thing of all is that you are left with no clearing up at the end of the party ...
You have to enjoy yourself when you have guests. By fussing too much about every single detail, you miss out on all the fun. Live a little and lighten up. Your guests will understand your situation and your company is more important than any food you serve.
When you are juggling work, raising children, and then entertaining guests, you will not have enough time in the kitchen. The trick here is to make the most out of the time you do have and work smarter, not harder.
The key to making entertaining simple and still fun is looking for ways to make all the arrangements easier. A few minutes saved here and there will add up and you can make it work by being wise about doing your preparations. These are just some tips to give you ideas on where you can save time:
- If you are making a family gathering, such as a birthday party or a celebration of a personal event, such as a leaving party or welcoming Uncle Bill who is visiting from Australia, you don't need to set up a whole table for a sit-down meal. Make a buffet. That way, you can put out a range of foods and let people eat what they want. It is more relaxed and much easier.
- A big platter of vegetable strips and homemade dips always get the job done. Slice fresh vegetables into bite-sized strips and serve alongside bowls of assorted dips. The usual carrots and celery can be joined by zucchini and jicama. Dips can be the usual Thousand Island, Caesar's, or a simple vinaigrette. Not only are fresh vegetables healthy, but depending on the way you arrange them, the entire thing could serve as a lovely centerpiece.
- Serving home-made baked goodies will take your party up several notches. Make a lasting impression by ending the evening right with cupcakes. For something so simple to make, cupcakes leave a huge impact especially if you take the time to decorate them. In addition to the usual frosting and icings, you can go for a snowman cupcake, cupcakes topped with nuts or dried fruits, or simple fudge chocolate. You can literally use anything as cupcakes are very forgiving.
- Use disposable items. These days, disposable cups and plates are no longer made from plain white paper or plastic. Some disposable items even look more realistic than the real thing. They come in all sizes, colors, and textures, and can make your buffet table look surprisingly elegant. And the best thing of all is that you are left with no clearing up at the end of the party ...
You have to enjoy yourself when you have guests. By fussing too much about every single detail, you miss out on all the fun. Live a little and lighten up. Your guests will understand your situation and your company is more important than any food you serve.
About the Author:
Expert contributing creator Anya adores providing her wealth of creative ideas about home baking. Not to mention her key hidden secret is always her spot for finding cupcake decorations and flower cup cake decoration.