When entertaining for the holidays the pressure can set in. We want everything perfect and if you’re doing it all yourself there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. We have to cook, plate, decorate, and display. This doesn’t include the week of planning and shopping.

Plan

Plan your entire menu ahead of time- appetizers, main course, dessert, and drinks.

The day before your event prepare your table and the areas you’ll be serving your food. This is your main focal point so you want to make it something to be talked about. You will also need your coffee bar and bar area which will have alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. The day before is when you’ll prepare you’re food to be ready for cooking.

 

Decorating your table

For this idea, you will need a couple large tablecloths and a crocheted or white see thru tablecloth at least 102″. Having all your platters on a flat surface is boring! Think layers. You may not have pedestals but this is where we get creative. Put a table cloth down to protect your table (You won’t see this one). Take large pots, paint cans, or anything that will be sturdy enough to hold one of your platters filled with food. Place the pots upside down on the table in the back and place the paint cans or other items around table. Start draping your solid colored tablecloths over pots and paint cans. Remember to make sure it’s close to the sides because you’ll be also layering your food. Once your whole table is covered, add white lights to the table by draping and weaving in and out of the different layers. There is no wrong way to do this. Once your lights are down you can drape your crocheted or white tablecloth over them. This softens the lights and gives a glow around your food with a festive feel.

**Need inspiration for colors? These table clothes will look beautiful.

 

Set Up Your Bar Area

Set up ahead of time by having all your glasses, liquor, water pitcher, and bowls for garnish. You’ll need wine glasses, martini glasses, cold beverage glasses, or the appropriate glasses for the drinks you’ll be serving as well as small bowls for garnish. One idea for garnish is using candy dishes and martini glasses.

**Items Shown

William Bounds Grainware 3 Piece Compliments Heart Nesting Candy Bowl

DanyaB Gaudi Inspired Organic Swirls Candy/Nut Bowl

Luigi Bormioli Allegro Martini Glass (Set of 4)

Fitz and Floyd Gemini Crystal Wine Goblet (Set of 4)

Wine Enthusiast Companies Fusion Classic Red Wine Glass (Set of 4)

Schott Zwiesel Paris Tritan Iceberg Ice Beverage Highball Glass (Set of 6)

Serving Dishes

Place all your serving dishes exactly where they’ll be going once the food is plated. Create food tags for platters and condiments, place them in front of the platters. Now is the time to do any maneuvering of where everything placed. You now have a perfect game plan of how and where everything will be served. This is when you should take out your dishes, silverware, and napkins and have them also set up along with your coffee bar.

**Items Shown

Badash Crystal Clear Footed Compote Platter

Kosta Boda Contrast Platter

Paula Deen Signature Spiceberry Round Platter

Signature Housewares Sorrento Rectangular Platter

 

Day Of Party

On this day you’ll concentrate on cooking the food. Everything should already be cut and prepped and hopefully your menu consists of items that just need to be popped in the oven or taken out of the refrigerator. Once it’s ready to be eaten, you already know where to place your platter. There’s no fussing and plenty of time to get ready and chat with guests. Remember you’re the hostess so you need to make sure to work the room and it would be smart to have someone either help you put the food out or if they’re outgoing have them make sure to introduce people.

Cin Cin!!!!