ISO your entertaining tips & hints...

[lmewilson]

we're having a few people over on saturday night, and i'm a bit of a 'novice entertainer'... yup, these situations tend to overwhelm me and make me a bit nervous - and i'd much rather enjoy the evening than get a pit in my stomach over it!

so, do any of you have entertaining tips or hints that make the evening go smoothly, and keep you relatively relaxed?

tx!

[sneezles]

Try to do as much as possible before guests arrive so that you are not stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is visiting. Don't try too many new recipes!

[hka]

I don't know how formal your gathering is going to be but it could be fun to get some pretty paper plates, napkins and even plastic wear so clean up will be easy for you. You could even make it part of the theme for your meal.

[ama47369]

I find that putting on music, at a reasonable volume, adds ambiance(sp?)to the setting. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[funnybone]

Are you inviting them for dinner, or after dinner? Depending on the type of entertaining, and depending on WHO you are entertaining, could cause you to handle it a little differently. If I don't know the people well, then I try to make most of the foods ahead, or with little mixing while the guests are there as it can be intimidating - and even more intimidating if they follow you in the kitchen and watch you prepare. IF they are your friends, then relax - they know you already!

A few months back my DH invited two couples over (the men were from work and their wives) and I had never met any of them!! I didn't know the kind of food they liked, just that they had no food allergies. The evening went really well. Although I really didn't worry too much, the litte worrying I did do was more than it was worth.

Give us more details and maybe we can be of greater help.

[lmewilson]

more details:

it's a dinner club organized thru church, set up as a way for people to get to know each other better. so we know one of the couples (kinda)... the other two couples, we don't know.

we have to prepare the main dish. the theme is "breakfast". we are making quiche - but it will be our first stab at it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif they are asked to bring the other items (appetizer, side dish, dessert).

so, they get to our home around 6:30 or 7... and the night lasts until it lasts...

again - any tips/hints would be *so* appreciated.

wow, now i know why my mom would run around like a nut on bridge nights!

[This message has been edited by lmewilson (edited 03-28-2001).]

[BeckyM]

I agree with all the suggestions above -- especially about doing as much as possible ahead and not trying too many new recipes.

In addition, I always try to make sure the house is welcoming by lighting a few candles, having munchies around (especially a bowl of M&M's), and making sure there are plenty of places for people to lounge. I also make sure the powder room (or whatever bathroom the guests will be using) has fresh, clean towels, plenty of toilet paper, plenty of liquid soap in the dispenser, etc. I also usually light a scented candle in the powder room to make it more inviting.

The other thing I try to do is make sure I personally am ready (make-up, hair, clothes I want to wear) at least half an hour before anyone is supposed to arrive. When I haven't done that in the past and have saved my personal preparations for last, someone always arrives early, only to find me still in my sweats or with my make-up not done. It's much better to be finishing up the food preparations when people arrive than to be still putting yourself together!

Good luck, relax, and have fun!

[SHERRY]

When we entertain, we do a lot the night before, or the morning of:

set the table: table cloth, plates, napkins, silverware, centerpiece, pitchers-ready to be filled with orange juice, mimosa(since it is brunch), water, ice tea, etc.

entree prepared and ready to put in the oven when needed

Clean the kitchen:I like to have my countertops clean and free for all of the dishes my guests are bringing...Or, you can set up a small side table with a table cloth and have everyone put their dishes on the table and have a serve yourself style brunch

Prepare appetizer:As m4star mentioned, I also like to have some munchies around...nuts, small bite sized appetizers, fruit-with toothpics, cheese, etc

Set up drink area We also set up an area where we can direct our guests to help themselves to drinks, have glasses, ice, and beverages ready for self serving

Have at least 1/2 hour before guests are to arrive to do nothing!!!, just relax and look over your awaiting spread

I would also suggest maybe a make ahead casserole in addition to your quiche...The French Toast Souffle, Farmers Casserole, or something you can make the night before and pop in the oven...good luck!

[Emdg]

Whenever I entertain, I put the final instructions ie: cooking time, stir ins, etc. on post-it-notes on top of the food. This way it seems seamless when I pop it in the oven or whatever. I also get out all my serving dishes and know exactly what is going where.

[hka]

Sherry, I want to come to your house when you entertain. It sounds lovely!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[goldilocks]

The two rules I go by, and my hubby even knows now, are to: always start the night with an empty dishwasher and an empty trash can. I have got him programmed now so that he does it whenever we invite people over. I agree with the candles and the music. Also, have drinks ready. I have found that in situations in which not everyone knows one other that holding something in your hand makes you feel more comfortable. Sounds weird, but works for me. Also, you said that others were bringing the appetizers. I would have something simple ready in case other guests come before the couple with the appetizers, something easy like chips and salsa or veggies and dip. Good luck.

[laughsandlaughs]

Just to set the ambiance and make you feel like more of an old pro at this entertaining stuff, I agree with the others' advice, like getting the table completely set, with serving pieces, etc all out too. Find some nice music playing and some candles and flowers make it seem like a much more festive occasion...they don't have to be expensive...even wildflowers on the tables make things nice. And if you're going to casual, tealight candles throughout are nice. Another fun way to make candlesticks more casual are to make fruit into the holders. For example, take some beautiful apples (pick ones that sit up easily) and core out the centers just enough for the candles to rest firmly in them. Or core out red and yellow peppers and put tea candles in them. It's a really fun decorating idea and you can also take a big glass vase or bowl and fill it with apples, lemons, limes, peppers, etc. for a casual centerpiece.

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do and how it goes.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by lmewilson:

(they are asked to bring the other items (appetizer, side dish, dessert).



Well, if that's the case, don't worry at all. Try making a couple of quiches before that day to experiment - so that you know if you have it right. Also, to see if the portions are enough (I think I'd have 2 to be safe). I think it even freezes well (although I am no freezer expert - I just know you can buy then frozen).

[m4star]

Candles and music are great for atmosphere. And I couldn't agree with sneezles more, the less cooking you do during the party- the better! I don't like people popping into the kitchen when I am trying to get things ready so I assign either my DH or a good friend to substitute hostess duties for a little while (pour drinks, make introductions, engage people into small talk, etc...) I also try and have lots of small munchies out before the guests arrive. That stops hungry people from coming into the kitchen to "check out what's going on in there."

[Susann]

What an informative thread! Although I consider myself somewhat of a novice when it comes to entertaining, one thing that I find helpful is to take out in advance all serving platters and utensils and stick a piece of masking tape on the bottom with what will be placed in that dish.

[SusanT]

I've had several brunches and have a tip for making a quiche with a crisp crust. When you pre-bake the pie crust, prepare an egg wash with one egg yolk and about a teaspoon of water and brust it over the pastry with a pastry brush. The yolk with harden and form a barrier to keep the custard from soaking the crust and turning it into a soggy mess.

[Jessica]

When the first guest rings the doorbell, take a deep breath and relax. Nothing ruins an evening faster than a tense hostess. If something goes wrong, laugh about it and move on. What people really want is to feel welcome and to be well-fed.
If you are trying to get to know one another, a game like Taboo or Pictionary can be a fun ice-breaker or after-dinner activity.